A Pre-Election Year, with a Feast of Contracts and an Increase in Direct or 'Hand-Picking' Hiring. What the Figures Say
Partner Edwin Cortés was cited in a Semana Magazine article examining the surge of "hand-picked" or direct award contracts in the run-up to Colombia's 2025-2026 electoral cycle and the impending restrictions under the Law of Guarantees. The report, drawing on data from Colombia Compra Eficiente, notes a 72 percent jump in direct awards since the previous election year, transparency and competition risks despite faster execution, and carveouts for emergencies and strategic sectors. Mr. Cortés contextualized the debate by pointing out the expansion of service provider contracts and the law's intent to safeguard public funds without paralyzing the government, while acknowledging persistent uncertainty for thousands of contractors as the restrictions take effect.
"In 2005, when the Law of Guarantees was created, there were not even 100,000 service providers. In recent years, there are about 500,000," he said.