As a government-owned company, the Mint is subject to the requirements of Act 8.666, which establishes general rules on government procurement and contracting for works, services and purchases. This piece of legislation is designed to ensure that government procurement decisions are fair, in the government’s interest and contribute to Brazil’s sustainable development. Procurement and contracting processes are managed by the Procurement Management Department, which is responsible for receiving and processing requisitions made by other departments, establishing requirements for each tender procedure, estimating prices and ensuring compliance with any additional legal requirements, which includes conformity to environmental and social requirements under Act 8.666.

The Mint also establishes price margins within which preference is given to local suppliers, and especially small businesses.

In 2015 and 2016 the Mint’s payments to suppliers exceeded R$ 3.49 billion. Our supply chain includes companies supplying printing materials (ink, solvents, papers, films, etc.), packaging (including cartons, labels, envelopes, glues, seals and adhesives) and metals in general (used in the production of coins and medals). We also procure services from firms specializing in general services, security, janitorial services, and environmental and waste management services.

Supplier performance and compliance is assessed by our technical departments. These assessments are submitted by contract managers to the Procurement Management Department, and any instances of noncompliance with established requirements (including social and environmental requirements) or failure to achieve required service levels may result in penalties.

Sustainable procurement

In 2015 and 2016 the Mint took steps to implement sustainable procurement practices. There have been a number of examples where sustainability requirements have been incorporated in procurement procedures for materials and services, such purchasing paper cups to replace plastic cups at the canteen and distributing coffee mugs to employees at the workplace.

The Mint was also required to meet a number of sustainability requirements as a supplier to the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee (read more in Social and Environmental Responsibility), and this became an opportunity to incorporate these practices within the organization. These and other requirements (some of which had already been implemented by the Mint) were compiled into a sustainable procurement handbook.

The New Government Companies Act
G4-DMA Public-policy

Promulgated in July 2016, Act 13.303 (known as the Government Companies Act) contains provisions governing Federal, State and Municipal government-owned or partly government-owned companies and their subsidiaries. The Act governs the management of these companies and seeks to improve efficiency through mechanisms for enhanced corporate governance and transparency.

Decree No. 8.945, which regulates the Government Companies Act, was published on December 27, 2016. The Mint has a period of two years in which to comply with the new requirements. In 2016, committees were created to amend th Mint’s Internal Regulation and Procurement and Contracts Regulation for conformity to the new Act. Also in 2016, the Mint implemented some of the requirements of Act 13.303, such as the new limits for exemption from competitive procurement.

As a federal government company, the Mint initiated a process in 2016 to bring the organization into conformity with the new Government Companies Act