The National Public Procurement Service (Sercop) has reported various non-compliance issues in a communication contract process linked to the Prefecture of Guayas. The Acting Director-General of Sercop, José Julio Neira, stated that after reviewing the publication process, it was found that mandatory IT tools from the Sercop portal had not been utilized. Additionally, the purpose of the contract did not align with the legal requirements outlined in Article 10, numeral 4 of the Organic Law of Public Integrity (LOIP).

Neira further elaborated that the documentation for the contract procedure referenced process RE-CSCD-PG-2025-008, while the published process was labeled PE-PG-2025-003. This discrepancy raises concerns about the transparency and traceability of public information, violating the principles of public accountability. The lack of clarity in the cost breakdown of the study was also noted, which could lead to further scrutiny over the contracting process.

These findings from Sercop highlight ongoing challenges in public procurement processes at the local level in Ecuador. The enforcement of compliance with existing regulations is crucial to ensure that public funds are managed appropriately and transparently, and may lead to further investigations into how such contracts are awarded and managed, showcasing the importance of regulatory oversight in public administration.