Sources said Chief Secretary Poudyal summoned NIMDC Executive Director Tulasi Prasad Gautam at his office on Sunday and warned that it would not be acceptable if there was only one company bidding for the multi-million dollar project. "Whatever you decide to do must be in line with the our national interests. It wouldn´t be acceptable if there was only one company bidding for the project due to the tender specifications," a source quoted Poudyal as saying. [break]
While inquiring about certain specifications of national ID tender, Poudyal also suggested making amendments to the tender specifications so that many companies that meet minimum requirements can participate in the bid. Sources said Poudyal has separately directed Home Secretary Nabin Kumar Ghimire to do the needful to address the concerns of aspiring bidders.
The latest overtures by Chief Secretary Poudyal come after a dozen of aspiring international bidders approached the doors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Prime Minister´s Office and Chief Secretary´s Office complaining that certain specifications in the tender were included in an attempt to stifle competition.
The first phase of the $117 million project is being undertaken under grant assistance worth $8 million from the ADB. The first phase of the project includes development of necessary infrastructures, including the development of software and hardware systems, and distribution of 110,000 national ID cards to Nepali citizens of 16 years or above.
The international bidders have sought amendment to clause 2.a.i. of the tender specifications, which states "Experience in supplying NID or eID systems (NID or national eResident Cards or ePassport or National Health Cards systems) in at least three successful contracts (national projects) where the scope of supply is substantially similar to the full scope of this procurement." As the aspiring bidders have sought removal of health card and inclusion instead of License Card so that many companies can apply for the contract, Chief Secretary Poudyal, according to sources, suggested to NIDMC to also include license card so that many qualified companies can participate in the bid.
Likewise in the clause 2.c.ii, which states "At least 1 reference NID or eID project where laser-engraved polycarbonate cards have been supplied and are operational for more than 10 years", the international bidders have demanded that the provision of "operational for more than 10 years" be removed. Poudyal had inquired if there was possibility of making review in the stated duration.
As the international bidders also demanded that the requirement of NIST 2003 certification either be removed or changed to NIST 2003 or equivalent or the latest to allow all major international companies to apply for the project, Poudyal had also inquired with NIDMC Executive Director Gautam if there was possibility of making necessary amendments without compromising with the quality of the national ID cards.
The tender announced on April 29 has been designed under QCBS quality and cost base selection model. This means technical aspects of the proposal would carry 80 per cent score and cost aspect 20 percent. Therefore, if the technical parameters favor one company, there will be no competition at all. Chief Secretary Poudyal while arguing that the QCBS model would not necessarily make the bidding process competitive had inquired if there was still possibility to negotiate with the ADB, which is funding the first phase of the project. Sources said NIMDC Gautam has assured that he would do whatever is possible on his part.
Related story
Army awards tender for boots to party failing criteria
