Dear Editor,

PLEASE permit me space in your paper to draw to the attention of President Granger, the National Procurement and Tender Board, the Minister of Infrastructure and the C.E.O of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport a matter that is of concern for a few janitorial companies.In 2014, there was an advertisement for companies to submit bids to provide cleaning and janitorial services to the airport. After all bids were submitted and opened, and after a long wait up to this day, the companies that submitted bids were never informed of who the contract was awarded to.

Surprisingly, the company Floor Care Professionals, which was providing this service prior to 2014, remained up there despite not having the lowest bid, and despite the fact that other companies that bid had the relevant experience to provide this service. There was no-retender.

CJIA again advertised, in 2015, for companies to submit bids to provide janitorial services to the airport. Those bids were opened in November 2015. Almost 7 months after those bids were opened, no word has been given yet as to whom this contract has been awarded to.

Records would show that the company that is still up there (Floor Care Professionals) providing this service did not have the lowest bid, neither is it the only experienced company to provide this service.

I am calling on this Government and the Minister of Infrastructure to order an investigation into this matter, since something doesn’t seem right. Why is this particular company still providing janitorial services to the airport despite there was a tendering process almost 7 months now, and from all indications it was fair, since there has been no re-tender.

Persons would have invested time and money to partake in this tendering process, and it is unfair for persons’ rights to be trampled upon to please a few.

Many other contracts in other areas that were advertised after this tender have already been awarded. Why the stall? Why the hold up? Is there a plan to retain this company despite it did not win this tender?

Under the previous administration, we had to put up with nonsense like this; so please look into this matter urgently.
Regards,
LYDIA SMITH