Requesting Entity: Commission on Audit Region VII

Issues Concern: Extension of Contract For Catering Services

Details

Whether the extension of contracts for general support services provided under the Revised Guidelines on the Extension of Contracts for General Support Services Guidelines includes contracts for catering services.

Goods and Services refer to all items, supplies, materials and general support services, except consulting services and infrastructure projects, which may be needed in the pursuit of any government undertaking, project, or activity. It also refers to trucking, hauling, janitorial, security, and related or analogous services, e.g. rental of venues and facilities, catering services, attendance to trainings and seminars, short-term services not considered as consulting services, as well as the procurement of materials and supplies provided by the Procuring Entity (PE) for such services. Hence, catering services may be considered general support service, as contemplated in the foregoing definition, provided that the same is determined by the COA to be necessary in undertaking its activities.

Moreover, to be covered by the Guidelines, COA should establish that catering services is essential, indispensable, or necessary to support its operations. Likewise, the extension must comply with the general conditions for extension as provided under Section 4.0 of the Guidelines.