By Okeoghene Akubuike
The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other procuring entities to observe a mandatory 14-calendar-day standstill period before finalising public procurement contract awards.
The directive is contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, with reference number SGF.50/S.52/III/727.
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Acting Head of Public Relations, Ngozi Anyaelezu, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the statement the directive is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, fairness and value for money in public procurement.
It said the Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, urged all accounting officers to ensure strict compliance by procurement planning committees, tenders boards and procurement departments.
Adedokun said that the standstill period would provide unsuccessful bidders with an opportunity to seek clarification, request debriefing or lodge complaints before a contract was concluded.
“The notice must identify the successful bidder and the contract sum, while informing unsuccessful bidders of their right to seek debriefing or submit complaints in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
“Under the directive, once a contract award recommendation is approved by the appropriate authority, a Notice of Intended Award must be issued simultaneously to all participating bidders.
“No contract agreement is to be carried out and no Letter of Award is to become effective until the expiration of the mandatory 14-day period.”
Adedokun further urged procuring entities to promptly address any complaint or protest received during the standstill period in accordance with the administrative review procedures stipulated in the Public Procurement Act and relevant BPP guidelines.
“Where a complaint was received within the period, further actions relating to contract execution will be suspended where applicable, pending its resolution,” he said.
He directed procurement officers to maintain proper records of notices issued, complaints received and actions taken to demonstrate compliance with the directive.
He said that failure by any procuring entity to observe the mandatory standstill period could attract administrative sanctions under the Public Procurement Act and other applicable regulations.
Adedokun said all accounting officers were required to bring the circular to the attention of tenders boards, procurement planning committees, procurement departments and other officers involved in public procurement.
He said that the directive, which took immediate effect, applied to both ongoing and future procurement activities.
“The circular is to be read alongside the Public Procurement Act, 2007, existing procurement regulations and directives issued by the BPP,” he said.(NAN)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
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