Communiqué from the Council of the Government - Communication

The Council of the Government, which met on March 30, 2026, in Ponta Delgada, decided to implement the following measures:

1. Approve the Resolution authorising the expenditure and decision to procure, through a public tender advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union, the design-build contract for the expansion and refurbishment of Antero de Quental Secondary School in Ponta Delgada, with a base price of €7,000,000.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, and a completion period of 540 days.

The resolution authorises the awarding of the design-build contract for the expansion and refurbishment of Antero de Quental Secondary School in Ponta Delgada, following a tender procedure advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union, with a base price of €7,000,000.00 and an estimated completion period of 540 days.

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures is hereby authorised, on behalf of the Autonomous Region of the Azores,  the power to approve the documents regarding the said procedure, assign the jury and the contract manager, order the publication of notices announcing the opening of the procedure, provide clarifications, amend the documents of the procedure, hold a preliminary hearing with the tenderers, award the contract, approve the draft contract to be signed and implemented, and carry out all other acts which, according to the law and the procedure adopted, fall within the remit of the entity responsible for the contract award decision. 

2. Adopt the Resolution approving the 1st Regional Plan for the Inclusion of People Experiencing Homelessness (PRIPSSA 2026–2030).

3. Approve the Resolution authorising the signing of a programme contract between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and IROA, S.A., to take effect in 2026,  with a view to regulating cooperation between the parties in the implementation of the provisions of the 2026 Annual Regional Plan, with a maximum financial impact of €4,040,000.00.

4. Approve the third amendment to Regional Implementing Decree No. 23/2022/A of November 15, which regulates the measure “Support schemes for innovation in products, production processes and organisation as well as for digital transition. The aim is to restructure regional businesses in the agricultural processing and distribution sector,” as part of the “Direct support for the recovery and resilience of businesses” measure for the “Economic Revitalisation of Azorean Agriculture” investment, under the RRP-Azores.

5. Approve the launch of the procedure for awarding a public works contract, through a public tender, to be published in the Official Journal of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, with a view to carrying out the works for the “Construction of the wastewater treatment plant for the new São Jorge Slaughterhouse,” with an estimated base price of €705,000.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, and an expected completion period of 5 months.

6. Approve the Resolution authorising financial support to be granted, under the legal and financial framework for climate emergency support, for cases of property loss and damage resulting from the extreme weather event that occurred in the parish of Água de Pau, municipality of Lagoa, São Miguel Island. In this regard, thirteen applications were approved, totalling €69,027.71. The financial support granted is intended to address property losses and damage caused by adverse, abnormal and unpredictable weather conditions of the aforementioned weather event. 

7. Approve the launch of a public procurement procedure, in accordance with the Legal Framework for Public Procurement in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Public Procurement Code, for drawing up four concession contracts for the installation and operation of vending machines at the Gruta das Torres Visitor Centre on Pico Island, Furna do Enxofre Visitor Centre on Graciosa Island, Serra de Santa Bárbara Interpretation Centre on Terceira Island, and at the Furnas Environmental Interpretation Centre on São Miguel Island. Each of these contracts shall have a three-year term.

8. Approve the resolution increasing the financial contribution allocated to SATA Air Açores for the 2025 operation of the Interjovem Card, amounting to €3,434.68.