12 Feb 2013

Bidding entities have been advised to comply with legal requirements and regulations to ensure success in their tender applications, says Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) executive director, Ms Idah Marumo.

Speaking at a one day capacity building workshop for general suppliers, Ms Marumo said onus was on bidders that whatever they submit met the requirements.

"Compliance to all regulations and requirements is the most crucial aspects in tender adjudication, before price and other technical issues are considered," she said.

She however acknowledged that some procuring entities had procuring plans but lamented lack of adherence to such plans. Further, she reminded all suppliers in parastatal organisations, councils, land boards, government and non-governmental organizations to apply for the PPADB registration certificate.

Ms Marumo encouraged companies those who have not yet registered with PPADB to do so because unregistered bidders would be disqualified. In addition, she noted that suppliers would by virtue of registration be bound to conform with a code of conduct in respect to all procurement and disposal activities.

She pointed that a supplier who does not comply either with the code of conduct or the contract concluded with a procuring entity may be suspended or delisted by the board from the registrar of contracts.

"A delisted supplier shall be banned by the board from registering a newly incorporated entity during the suspension period," she explained. The executive director further told bidders to take advantage of the debriefing policy if they feel aggrieved by the board’s decision or the procuring entity.

Some participants pointed out that the fair and transparent procuring processes were being thwarted by corrupt supplies officers who connive with the procuring entities. He cited cases where tenders were tailor made for specific entities and in return officers got rewarded.

They called on PPADB to decentralise the signing of PPADB certificates to local authorities. “We have to travel all the way from Francistown and Kasane to certify copies in Gaborone,” said Mr Rowland Nkweyagae.

They proposed to PPADB to spread tenders among companies so as to reduce transferring risks to one company, something which Ms Marumo said they were already piloting. PPADB will be holding other workshops in Francistown, Kasane, Kang, Selebe Phikwe and Maun to build the capacity of suppliers. ENDS