The CPTU was established in April 2002 as a unit within the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Ministry of Planning. It is headed by a Director-General, who reports directly to the Secretary, IMED. The DG has a staff complement of Directors, system Analyst, Deputy Directors, Programmer, Assistant Directors and other support staff.

The CPTU is a permanent institution of the government, funded under the revenue budget and established for carrying out the purposes of Section 67 which states as follows:

Section 67: For carrying out the purposes of the Act, the Government shall, through a Central Procurement Technical Unit or any other unit established by it relating to procurement monitoring, coordination and management, perform the following responsibilities, namely - 

1. Providing for monitoring compliance with and implementation of this Act through the authority as designated by the Government
2. Arranging for performance of the necessary functions and responsibilities incidental thereto, through the authority as designated by the government and
3. Performing any other responsibilities as prescribed.