Discusses the legal requirements for selling to the host government, including whether the government has agreed to abide by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or is a party to a government procurement chapter in a U.S. FTA. Specifies areas where there are opportunities.
Last Published: 9/27/2016
  • Public Procurement Process: Regulations governing public procurement are dated and there is no legal requirement for public tenders for goods and services acquired by the government. The government publicizes Requests for Proposals (RFP) for some of its needs but it reserves the right to use its discretion in the selection of service providers.  The public procurement process is opaque leaving room for political interference.  There is no opportunity to appeal a decision and no requirement that bid information be made public.  There are some signs of improvement in procurement and several recent requests for proposals have been advertised on the Government’s website.

 

  • Trade Agreements: The country has made government procurement commitments under the terms of its membership in the Economic Partnership Agreement but is not a party to the WTO and the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.  There are frequent no bid contracts and other arrangements made without the benefit of public engagement or advertising.
  • Seek Advice Early: Businesses intending to market goods or services to the Bahamian government or businesses seeking to enter the Bahamian commercial market are advised to seek the advice of the U.S. Embassy at an early stage.  Businesses bidding on public sector contracts with overseas governments and government agencies are advised to contact the U.S. Commerce Department’s Advocacy Center early in the process.  Further information is available at wwww.export.gov/advocacy/.

 

  • U.S. Commercial Service Liaison Offices at the Multilateral Development Banks (Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank) The Commercial Service maintains Commercial Liaison Offices in each of the main Multilateral Development Banks, including the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank. These institutions lend billions of dollars in developing countries on projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development by reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and education, and advancing infrastructure development. The Commercial Liaison Offices help American businesses learn how to get involved in bank-funded projects, and advocate on behalf of American bidders. Learn more by contacting the Commercial Liaison Offices to the Inter-American Development Bank (http://export.gov/idb) and the World Bank (http://export.gov/worldbank).
 
  • Web Resources
Commercial Liaison Office to the Inter-American Development Bank: http://export.gov/idb
Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank: http://export.gov/worldbank

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.