In an effort to speed up the bureaucracy, the Comptroller General has published new guidelines which may reduce the number of contracts that need approval by 45%. The changes include:

• Increasing significantly the minimum amount that a contract contemplates in order to need approval. Currently the Comptroller must approve contracts that range from a ministry buying 10 computers to MOPT contracting an entire toll road. Under the new regulation the ministry will have internal auditors that approve smaller contracts.
• Another change is that public entities will have more freedom to change contracts. If the contract is for less than 700 million colones, then modifications involving less than 5% of the total amount without approval of the Comptroller. If the contract amount is over 700 million colones, then modifications under ¢35 million may be made without intervention of the Comptroller

New Limits:

110 million Colones If the institution may purchase over 43 billion in non personal goods and services, then any contract under this amount does not need approval of the comptroller.

11 million Colones If the institution may purchase less than 43 billion in non personal goods and services, then any contract under this amount does not need approval of the comptroller.

8 days New contracts that do come under scrutiny will be ruled upon in 8 days, rather than the current 30 working days.