Postponement of Sherriff Street/Mandela Ave. tender openings…‘We are awaiting no objection from IDB’

Postponement of Sherriff Street/Mandela Ave. tender openings…‘We are awaiting no objection from IDB’ – Infrastructure Ministry

Apr 16, 2017 News

In wake of the concerns raised by contractors over the postponement of the opening of tenders for a component of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue Expansion Project, the Government has sought to clarify the situation.

Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson

According to the release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure yesterday, the opening of tenders for the project – lot six to seven – was postponed as the Ministry awaits the “No Objection” from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a revised scope of works.
“While the tender opening for this project was slated for April 11, 2017, this process was postponed and bidders have been informed of the postponement while the go-ahead is awaited. Furthermore, tenders were returned unopened and can be resubmitted on the newly identified tender opening date.”
The statement also said that the project was revised following discussions with the Ministry of Finance, with the aim of achieving completion before the loan deadline set out by the IDB.
Initially, Loan-2741 was signed in 2012 to the tune of US$66M, with a deadline of March 2018.
The revised scope, which is anticipated to cost US$35M, will include relocation of utilities – the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company and the Guyana Water Incorporated have been contracted for this aspect; pedestrian crossing; milling and new overlay of the surface; and repairs to bridges and structures.
While the revised scope was submitted to the Ministry of Finance and subsequently forwarded to the IDB, the project must be green-lit before the tender opening can take place. Otherwise, the process would not be recognised by the IDB, the Ministry stated yesterday.
The initial project was tendered twice; first in 2014 and then again in 2015, both times under the previous administration. On the second occasion, tenders were returned in May 2015 as none of the contractors were deemed responsive.
The tenders were scheduled to open on Tuesday last however, the opening was postponed at the last minute.
Representatives of bidders, who reportedly worked around the clock to finish the tender documents, were waiting for the documents to be opened publicly.
It was only when representatives of the respective companies arrived at the NPTAB to witness the opening that they were informed of the extension.
It was revealed that the submission date was extended to May 2.
Bidders, who asked not to be named, said that they only learnt of the cancellation after their representatives contacted them.
An email informing the bidders of the cancellation was sent after the announcement was made at the Main Street office of the NPTAB.
Contractors subsequently began contacting Kaieteur News raising concerns; questioning the reason for the extension and whether it was done within the confines of the procurement laws.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News