Key takeaways
- Chile's procurement law, Ley 19.886, was modernized by Ley 21.634 in December 2023, with changes taking effect in stages through 2025.
- ChileCompra runs Mercado Público, where US$21,953 million was transacted in 2025.
- Since December 12, 2024, suppliers must be registered in ChileCompra's Registro de Proveedores to bid, and foreign companies can register.
- The US-Chile Free Trade Agreement includes government procurement obligations.
Chile's modernized procurement law
Chile's public procurement is governed by Ley 19.886, as modernized by Ley 21.634, published on December 11, 2023.
The reform took effect in stages: probity rules in December 2023, wider coverage and support for smaller companies in December 2024, and new methods such as electronic reverse auctions, competitive dialogue and innovation contracts in June 2025. New regulations were issued in Decreto 661 of December 2024. ChileCompra, the Dirección de Compras y Contratación Pública, runs the system.
Mercado Público
Mercado Público is Chile's public procurement platform. ChileCompra reports US$21,953 million in transactions on it in 2025, with public tenders accounting for 76.6%, direct contracting 12.8% and Compra Ágil 5.3%. More than 100,000 suppliers took part.
Supplier registration
Since December 12, 2024, suppliers must be registered and in good standing in ChileCompra's Registro de Proveedores to take part in public procurement. The registry is open to Chilean and foreign individuals and companies. Foreign suppliers provide documents including proof of identity and domicile, incorporation documents, a certificate of good standing from their home country, proof of powers of representation, a declaration of beneficial owners, and a sworn statement that they aren't debarred by the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank. Registration is renewed periodically.
Procurement methods
- Licitación pública, the main method
- Convenio marco, framework agreements that let agencies order from awarded suppliers
- Trato directo, direct contracting, now limited to specific legal grounds
- Compra Ágil, a quick method for purchases up to 100 UTM, with priority for smaller companies
- Subasta inversa electrónica, electronic reverse auctions, first awarded in 2025
- Diálogo competitivo and innovation contracts
The US-Chile FTA
USTR lists the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement among US free trade agreements with government procurement obligations. Coverage depends on the entity and value thresholds.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's bilingual SDRs reach Chilean public buyers in Spanish and book meetings for your team. See our Central & South America sales development.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Procurement rules in Latin America have changed significantly since 2023; confirm current requirements with the procurement agency or local counsel before bidding.
Sources: ChileCompra, Ley de Compras Públicas; ChileCompra, Registro de Proveedores; ChileCompra, 2025 results; USTR.