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Public Procurement in Honduras

Public procurement in Honduras represents a structured and increasingly digitized system through which the Honduran government acquires goods, works, and services to support public administration, social programs, and national development objectives. As a lower middle-income economy in Central America, public procurement is a key policy instrument for transparency, anti-corruption reforms, fiscal efficiency, and inclusive economic growth.

Government procurement activities in Honduras cover a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, health, education, security, energy, and public services. The system combines centralized regulatory oversight with decentralized procurement execution across ministries, autonomous institutions, and local governments.

For domestic suppliers and international bidders, government tenders in Honduras offer a regulated and data-rich procurement market, supported by one of the most mature e-procurement ecosystems in Latin America.

Country & Economic Overview

Institutional & Governance Framework

Honduras operates a centralized procurement policy and oversight model combined with decentralized contracting authorities. The system is anchored in strong electronic procurement mandates.

• Public Procurement Authority: State Contracting and Procurement Office (ONCAE)
• eProcurement Portal: HonduCompras
• Central Purchasing Body: Not applicable
• Supervising Ministry: Secretaría de Transparencia y Lucha contra la Corrupción

Procurement is carried out by central government entities, decentralized agencies, municipalities, and public enterprises, all subject to national procurement legislation and electronic disclosure requirements.

Legal & Regulatory Framework

Public procurement in Honduras is governed by a comprehensive set of laws and regulations emphasizing transparency, competition, and value for money.

• Core Legal Instruments:
  • State Contracting Law (Ley de Contratación del Estado)
  • Regulation of the State Contracting Law
  • Law on Efficient and Transparent Purchases through Electronic Media
  • Electronic Signatures Law (2013)
• Official Legal Sources:
  • http://h1.honducompras.gob.hn/ONCAE_DIAGRAMA/HTMLB/LCAE.pdf
  • https://www.tsc.gob.hn/web/leyes/

Procurement Principles & Methods

Time Limits, Thresholds & Procedures

• Standstill Period: Mandatory (Article 142, State Contracting Law)
• Bid Validity: Defined under Article 117 of the Regulation
• Tender Thresholds: Defined annually under General Budget Provisions (Article 72)
• Direct Contracting Thresholds: Governed by Budget Provisions
• Advertisement Period: Article 106, Regulation of State Contracting Law

E-Procurement System (HonduCompras)

Honduras operates one of the most advanced multi-module e-procurement ecosystems in the region, which is mandatory for most public procurement activities.

• System Name: HonduCompras (multiple modules)
• Initial Launch: 2005 (with successive upgrades through 2019)
• Key Functionalities:
  • ePublishing and notifications
  • eTendering and eQuotations
  • Electronic catalogues and framework agreements
  • Supplier registration and vendor management
  • Annual procurement planning (PACC)
• Supported Languages: Spanish
• Supported Currencies: Lempira, USD, Euro
• Tender Documents Downloadable: Yes
• World Bank Usage: Yes (system recognized)

Professional Capacity & Certification

• Certified Contracting Officers: 143
• Certified Public Buyers: Yes
• Professionals Certified on eProcurement Systems: 1,151
• Disaggregated Officers by Gender: 229 (available data)

Transparency, Data & Reporting

Honduras publishes procurement data, statistics, and market intelligence indicators through official portals.

• Procurement Statistics:
  • http://www.oncae.gob.hn/indicador-inteligencia-mercado
  • http://www.oncae.gob.hn/servicios/proveedores/estadistica
• Annual Reports:
  • http://www.oncae.gob.hn/boletines
  • https://www.oncae.gob.hn/ciudadania/informes-y-boletines

Green, Social & Inclusive Procurement

Honduras has taken concrete steps toward sustainable and inclusive public procurement, supported by policy manuals and institutional leadership.

• Green Procurement Strategy: Yes
• Official Roadmap:
  • Manual de Compras Públicas Sostenibles
• Lead Agency: Secretaría de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente (SERNA)
• Women-Owned Businesses: Supported through the “Sello Empresa Mujer” initiative
• Labor Standards Compliance: Mandatory
• Ethical Sourcing: Article 6, State Contracting Law

Key Characteristics & Market Considerations

• Mandatory electronic procurement for most public contracts
• Strong anti-corruption and transparency orientation
• Advanced supplier registration and catalog systems
• Growing integration of sustainability criteria
• Decentralized execution with centralized oversight

In summary, public procurement in Honduras is defined by a solid legal framework, a mature and mandatory e-procurement ecosystem, and increasing emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and inclusion. The Honduran procurement market offers structured opportunities for suppliers, supported by digital tools, clear procedures, and expanding public disclosure.