Adrián Pérez
Valentina Herrero Casteigts
LEAN-driven redesign and automation of procurement processes, reducing processing times and boosting capacity across 100+ government entities.
Increase in procurement volume handled with fewer resources
Average reduction in processing times
Annual payroll savings through productivity gains
Puerto Rico's government procurement operated through 188 separate regulations across 100+ government entities, each managing purchases independently using paper-based workflows. Standard transactions required 20-30 days to complete, with no centralized tracking, performance metrics, or real-time visibility. During emergencies, including hurricanes Irma and Maria, subsequent earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the system's inability to respond rapidly compromised essential services and limited access to federal funding requiring strict accountability controls.
The award-winning J.E.D.I. platform, launched in 2022 and mandated by Law 73-2019, consolidates procurement for government entities onto a single cloud-based solution. Before digitization, the team applied LEAN methodology to map existing workflows, identify bottlenecks, and eliminate inefficiencies, ensuring the platform automated optimized processes rather than existing problems. The platform automates workflow management, purchase order generation, supplier evaluation, and compliance monitoring while providing real-time operational dashboards and public transparency. Implementation combined regulatory reform, organizational restructuring, phased technology deployment, and comprehensive change management to ensure adoption across Puerto Rico's central government.
Core Capabilities (Bonus):
- Automated requisition-to-order workflows
- Real-time transaction tracking and analytics
- Supplier performance management system
- Proactive risk identification and alerts
- Public data accessibility and oversight
In its first four years, J.E.D.I. processed 100,000+ requests, with an average of 86% reduction in processing times in 95% of purchases. The platform generated $2.3M in payroll savings by processing a 265% increase in procurement volume with fewer resources. Beyond operational improvements, the initiative established objective performance benchmarking and implemented proactive risk management that has identified and resolved 500+ compliance concerns.
IMPACT ACROSS STAKEHOLDERS
Government Agencies
Accelerated procurement cycles enable faster program delivery and improved operational continuity
Fiscal Oversight
Complete transaction visibility and federal fund traceability ensure compliance and reduce audit risk
Supplier Ecosystem
Standardized processes and transparent evaluation criteria foster competitive, merit-based participation
Public Trust
Real-time data publication and live bid streaming demonstrate accountability and institutional integrity
Optimized Process Flow: From 24 to 3 Steps
Processing time in days
J.E.D.I. demonstrates how strategic digitalization, supported by regulatory reform and organizational change, can transform complex government operations while delivering measurable value across efficiency, cost, and transparency dimensions.
