The UAE Federal Government Contracts Regulation sets out the requirements for contracts to be executed with the UAE federal government. The Ministry of Finance uses an advanced procurement system for all federal entities through which it announces purchases related to Ministry of Finance or other ministries and federal entities. Through this system, it also invites tenders and announces the winners of contracts. In addition, it has a tenders and auctions system that ensures the success of purchases and helps in reducing financial and administrative costs by qualifying suppliers to participate in tenders, auctions and bids.

Each Emirate may also have to abide to local procurement rules. For instance the Law of Contracts of Government Departments in Dubai regulate the contracts with the Dubai government and the Law of Purchases governs contracts with the Abu Dhabi Government. Similar local procurement laws are applicable in other Emirates as well, namely Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ajman.

In some cases it will be difficult to determine the nature of an entity as governmental or private and, in some instances, certain entities will be subject to specific rules, such as the application of a the governing law of the relevant government entity or the exclusivity of the jurisdiction of a specific Court.

Any businesses looking to contract with government entities in the UAE, or elsewhere in the region, would be well-advised to make sure that their contracts have been considered with local government procurement rules in mind.

Our team regularly advises on local government procurement contracts and can advise in all sectors of government contracting.

Clotilde Iaia Polak and her team are well qualified to provide assistance in government procurement tendering and contract drafting and negotiation.

Our services include the following:

• Assist during the tendering procedure and awards;
• Negotiating and reviewing government contracts;
• Liaise with local authorities for the execution of government contracts.