The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has reaffirmed its commitment to following the established systems, processes, and procedures outlined in the Procurement Act and its regulations when awarding contracts. In a statement issued Wednesday, the NPTAB clarified several key aspects of its procurement process:

• Public Advertisement and Transparency: The NPTAB publicly advertises all tenders and conducts the public opening of bids, both in person and virtually. Bids are opened and read in full view of bidders and the public. The evaluation of bids is carried out by a three-person independent evaluation team.

• Evaluation Criteria: Bidding documents contain specific criteria for assessing the winning bidder. These criteria do not consider factors such as gender, race, religion, or political persuasion. Evaluators are required to base their recommendations solely on the established evaluation criteria.

• Administrative, Technical, and Financial Criteria: Each bid is subject to administrative, technical, and financial criteria outlined in the tender document. Administrative compliance includes valid business registration, compliance with tax and insurance requirements, bid security, and other specified documents. Non-compliance results in the bid not proceeding to further evaluation.

• Arithmetic Check: An arithmetic check is conducted to correct any discrepancies in bid prices, ensuring accuracy.

• Technical and Financial Capacity: Bidders must demonstrate specific construction experience and financial capacity. They are also required to meet equipment and human resources requirements outlined in the bid document.

• Outstanding Contracts: Bidders with three or more outstanding contracts from any public sector agency, where more than 20% of the contract value is not completed by the original deadline, are not considered for award.

The NPTAB provided a specific example related to the construction of the Belle Vue Pump Station project, where 26 companies submitted bids. Thirteen bids were deemed non-responsive, and the lowest priced responsive bid was awarded the Meeten-Meer-Zorg Pump Station. The second lowest responsive bid was awarded the Jimbo/Grove Pump Station, while Tepui secured the Belle Vue Pump Station contract.

The NPTAB emphasised that the lowest bid price alone does not determine the winning bidder. Responsiveness to the stated criteria in the bidding document is the key factor considered. The NPTAB also stated that there is no evidence of any mis-procurement.

The board clarified that any bidder has the right to appeal an award, following the specified procedures outlined in the Procurement Act. As of now, the NPTAB has not received any appeals regarding contract awards, and any appeals received will be addressed in accordance with the law.
The NPTAB concluded that recent criticisms of the evaluation process and contract awards lack merit and are politically motivated without factual basis. The board remains committed to transparent and fair procurement practices.