There are limitations in the bidding process in Guyana

Feb 12, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am totally disappointed with the manner in which bids are evaluated at the level of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). On December 29, 2016 bids were opened for the operation service and maintenance of excavators, and others, for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority hereafter called the Procuring Entity. Now, it has been 42 days since the opening and still no one has been awarded any of the contract/s. Mr. Editor, the Procurement Act of 2003, clearly states in chapter 39 clause 2, that the ‘Evaluation Committee shall…. convey its recommendation to the Procuring Entity within a reasonable period of time, but no longer than 14 days.’ The inability of the Evaluation committee/ evaluator and NPTAB to ensure that the Procurement Act is followed reflects one of the limitations of the bidding process in Guyana. And this particular case brings to question the following:
1. Is there a hidden motive behind the delay of the award of this contract?
2. What limits NPTAB from ensuring transparent evaluation process?
3. What is being done at the level of NPTAB to remedy such deficiencies in the procurement process?
Mr. Editor, I made several calls to the NDIA and NPTAB to seek clarity on this matter and to date, neither of the two entities can give a reason for the present development. This is not the first time this has happened to me as a contractor at the level of NPTAB. But I sincerely hope that after this is highlighted that special interest would be given to this situation to ensure, due process is followed and there is a transparent evaluation process.
I can think of several reasons, why these contracts are not yet awarded, but I wish to refrain from speculations and state the obvious – there are still significant limitations in the procurement process. And also to make a clarion call on NPTAB and relevant authorities to rectify this defect in the system and promptly award the bids for these projects – it has been far too long. Maybe this will quell my disappointment, and lend to the restoration of my hope for a transparent system at NPTAB.
Terence Jones

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