Monday 02 / November / 2026
Muscat: The National Employment Program (NEP) has released the "Guide to Procedures for Contracting with Independent Employers in the Sultanate of Oman." The publication implements the Ministry of Finance's Financial Circular No. (1) of 2026, following a decision by the Council of Ministers' Financial and Economic Committee. The framework governs the awarding of specialised services and projects valued up to OMR 5,000 directly to non-employed Omani freelancers.
The manual establishes a standardised procedural framework for public sector bodies contracting with independent professionals. It outlines operational rights, obligations, and transparency standards to ensure service quality while expanding opportunities for qualified national talent.
Key components of the framework include:
Scope and Tendering: Applies to service delivery, project execution, and specialised product supply. Tenders will be listed on approved government platforms, licensed freelancing channels, or official media.
Contractual Mandates: Requires explicit documentation of party credentials, official freelance license numbers, work scope, delivery timelines, payment schedules, data confidentiality, and intellectual property terms.
Execution and Delivery: Mandates that freelancers execute awarded contracts directly; sub-contracting requires prior institutional authorization. Deliverables and related documentation must be finalized within contracted timelines or within seven business days of contract termination.
Performance and Milestones: Allows for phased progress payments tied to verifiable evaluation benchmarks and institutional verification.
The initiative supports broader national efforts to build an integrated freelance ecosystem, optimise local content, and advance Oman Vision 2040 objectives for economic diversification.
