| Work Detail |
The Mendoza government formalized a sweeping reform to the construction company licensing system with the goal of streamlining bidding processes, improving competition, and raising the technical quality of provincial public works. The measure is implemented through Decree 1258, which updates the Regulations for the Implementation of the Public Works Constructors Background Registry (RACOP). Under this new regulation, the RACOP will operate as a public registry for restricted advertising, reporting to the Ministry of Government, Infrastructure, and Territorial Development. It will be composed of a Directorate, a Subdirectorate, technical and administrative areas, and a joint Council with representatives from the public and private sectors. Its priority goals include simplifying procedures, increasing the number of bidders in tenders, and optimizing the technical and economic evaluation system for companies. Among the most significant changes is the elimination of 37% of the documentation previously required for registration, which represents a significant reduction in bureaucracy in the process. Furthermore, requirements related to specific technical capabilities by specialty, a historical barrier that limited the participation of new companies in complex bidding processes, have been eliminated. This aims to generate greater competition and, consequently, more competitive bids for the execution of public works. The new regime also establishes objective sanction criteria for companies that fail to comply with regulations, as well as specific requirements for foreign firms interested in participating in tenders in Mendoza. Material and service suppliers are also included, although they will be subject to a separate evaluation system compared to construction companies. The reform includes the implementation of a system of specialties that classifies companies according to the type of work or service they provide, and establishes clear parameters for evaluating the Reference Economic and Financial Capacity for Execution (CE), a key tool for determining the technical viability of contractors. The new regulations will take effect immediately, although the validity of certificates already issued has been extended until August 30, 2025, allowing companies a reasonable time to adapt to the new system without interruptions to their administrative operations. |
