Policy and regulation · Brazil
Brazil's MEC presents centralised purchasing model for federal university teaching labs
Brazil's Ministry of Education has put a proposed national procurement model, EnLab, to a public hearing. Federal universities and institutes are the intended users, and a call is expected within weeks.
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According to Andifes, Brazil's Ministry of Education (MEC) held a public hearing on Monday 19 October to set out the organisation, logistics and governance model of EnLab.
Andifes described EnLab as a new national acquisitions model for federal universities and federal institutes, debated under the heading of centralised purchasing for teaching laboratories.
Andifes reported that publication of a call (edital) is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Andifes said suggestions on the model were to be sent by 21 October.
Why it matters
The model is aimed at federal universities and institutes, so their procurement and teaching-laboratory arrangements are the ones directly in scope.
Editor’s view
Richard Davies, Policy and Finance Editor
What has been reported so far is a proposal at consultation stage rather than a settled policy: MEC presented a structure for organisation, logistics and governance and invited suggestions. The announcement as reported did not say whether institutional participation will be voluntary or required, which purchases fall within the model, or what funding accompanies it.
For rectors of federal institutions, the edital is the document to track. Until it appears, it is not clear how far EnLab will alter existing purchasing practice on individual campuses.
What to watch
- Publication of the EnLab edital, which Andifes said is expected in the coming weeks.
- Whether the final model reflects suggestions submitted by the 21 October deadline.