SUNDAY, JUNE 20. 10%-
IN THE SELECTIVE TENDER PROCEDURE, INVITATIONS TO TENDER WHICH ARE NOT MADE PUBLIC ARE SENT TO REGISTERED SUPPLIERS ON APPROVED LISTS IN RESPECT OF EACH CLASS OF GOODS.
SINGLE TENDER CONTRACTS ARE CONCLUDED WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT PERMIT RESORTING TO NORMAL COMPETITION FOR REASONS OF SECURITY OR WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE KNOWN SOURCE OF SUPPLY. IT IS USED MAINLY IN THE PURCHASE OF PATENTED OR PROPRIETARY ITEMS, DEVELOPMENT WORK AND IN CERTAIN CASES OF UNFORESEEABLE URGENT REQUIREMENTS.
THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A LIST OF REGISTERED SUPPLIERS WHICH INCLUDE 1 900 LOCAL SUPPLIERS AND 1 500 OVERSEAS SUPPLIERS. FIRMS IN HONG KONG OR OVERSEAS, CAN APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN THE DEPARTMENT'S LIST OF REGISTERED SUPPLIERS IF THEY WILL PROVIDE DETAILS OF THEIR ORGANISATION AND THE GOODS THEY OFFER.
A SUCCESSFUL BID IN OPEN AND SELECTIVE TENDER IS NOT NECESSARILY THE ONE THAT OFFERS THE LOWEST PRICE QUOTATION BUT ONE THAT GIVES THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY+, MR KILVERT SAID.
THERE ARE, IN FACT, MULTI-LAYER CONTROL AND PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS TO ENSURE THAT CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED TO THE MOST DESERVING PARTY, WHICH MAY INVOLVE PAYMENT TERMS TO SUIT SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT.
THE STRICT CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING BIDS AND THE AWARDING OF CONTRACTS REQUIRED THAT TENDERS ARE RECEIVED UNDER SEALED COVER AND ARE OPENED BY COMMITTEES APPOINTED FOR THAT PURPOSE. DETAILS OF ALL OFFERS RECEIVED ARE RECORDED AND WHERE NECESSARY PASSED TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR COMMENTS.
THE CONTRACT IS NORMALLY AWARDED TO THE BIDDER OFFERING BEST VALUE FOR MONEY AND THIS IS NORMALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE LOWEST BID MEETING THE REQUIREMENT.
+DEPENDING ON THE INDIVIDUAL CASE, THE CONSIDERATION WILL INCLUDE, APART FROM PRICE, LIFE IN SERVÍCE, SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS, COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THE DELIVERY. THE CONTRACTS MUST BE AWARDED TO THE BEST PUBLIC ADVANTAGE WITH DUE REGARD TO NORMAL COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATION, + MR KILVERT EXPLAINED,
RESPONSES TO INVITATION TO TENDER ARE NORMALLY SUBMITTED IN STRICT PRIVACY. UNSUCCESSFUL TENDERERS ARE, UPON REQUEST, NOTIFIED WHY THEIR OFFERS HAVE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED.
MR KILVERT STRESSED THAT ALL CONTRACTING PROCESSES ARE SUBJECT TO MONITORING TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED PROPERLY AND FAIRLY AND THAT THERE ARE NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, NOR ANY GUIDANCE OF A FORMAL OR INFORMAL CHARACTER ISSUED TO PROCUREMENT OFFICIALS, THAT THEY SHOULD GIVE PREFERENCE TO GOODS FROM ANY PARTICULAR SOURCE OF SUPPLY.
FIRMS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPLY OF THE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY MAY APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND SUCH APPEALS WOULD BE HANDLED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD.
THE DEPARTMENT'S PROCUREMENT PATTERN REACHED A TURNING POINT IN 1969/70 WHEN FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE VALUE OF ITS PURCHASES FROM LOCAL SUPPLIERS EXCEEDED THOSE BOUGHT THROUGH CROWN AGENTS.