THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) on Thursday said the award of feasibility study contract for Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is aboveboard.

The ministry was responding to calls from the political Opposition for information on the procedures and processes used for the bidding, selection and subsequent award of the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River crossing.

According to the ministry in a release, with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank, it advertised the consultancy for feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River Bridge.

Twenty-two firms, it said expressed interest and 12 were subsequently shortlisted but only two submitted bids.

The Ministry said of the two submissions, only one firm had a valid bid but that firm’s bid price exceeded the US$800,000 budget and concerns were also raised on the technical level.

The minister explained that it made a decision to annul the process in May, following permission from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and the Ministry of Finance.

Nonetheless, the ministry said it continued to seek suitable consultants due to the significance of the project and the need for its realisation.

“The ministry actively sought greatly qualified consultants worldwide. It was during engagements with various companies, including those in the Netherlands, the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) Team, and in England, the company, LievenseCSO, was recommended. A bid was later received from LievenseCSO and MPI applied to NPTAB for permission to engage the company; this permission was granted.

Upon evaluation of the bid, it was determined that it was the best out of all that had been submitted, both on the technical level and in relation to price. Cabinet was therefore invited to consider the proposal and subsequently gave its ‘No Objection’ to the award of the contract and the progression of the project,” the minister said.

The ministry also said it welcomes investigation by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) since it is confident that the findings will reveal that the information of this release is factual.

“We also wish to encourage the Parliamentary Opposition to desist from clutching at straws in their continued efforts to undermine the Government of Guyana.
Instead, we call for their support as we make strides to execute a project that will lend to significant development for our nation. We will not be deterred to deliver on our mandate to the people of Guyana,” the release concluded.