Journal of Human Security

The Committee for Reviewing Competitors and Contractors’ Appeals in Saudi Government Procurement: Legal Organization, Powers, and Procedures

Dr. Awad Ali Alanzi
College of Business Administration Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation is to explore the mechanism of the Committee for Reviewing Competitors and Contractors Appeals established in accordance with the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Regulation and the regulations that have been framed in this regard. The main objective of the present investigation is to assess the legal status and functional role of the committee in such a manner that it may further enhance the transparency of the public procurement processes in the country. Based on the descriptive-analytical methodology, the present investigation has reviewed the relevant statutory regulations, underlying regulatory principles, and relevant case law interpretations in the field. The investigation has revealed that the committee acts as a transitional body that has combined the administrative and quasi-judicial roles in the system, thereby reducing the scope of legal disputes in the public procurement processes in the country. It has also revealed that the decisions taken by the committee are binding in nature on the government entities and are implemented in a swift manner in the system to ensure procedural fairness in the processes. Furthermore, it has also revealed that the role of the committee in the system has a significant impact in restricting the irregularities in the contract implementations, preventing corrupt practices in the system, and promoting the equality of the participants in the processes. Furthermore, the present investigation has also highlighted the mechanisms for the revision of prices in the system in a manner that it may promote the stability in the processes. Based on the present investigation, a set of recommendations has also been put forward in the form of regulations that may further enhance the transparency and fairness of the jurisdiction of the committee and the grievance redressal mechanisms in the system.

Keywords: Saudi Government Tenders, Procurement Regulation, Appeals Committee, Administrative Law, Public Contracts, Transparency, Anti-Corruption. ,