The opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday called on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) to explain why it opted not to retender for the consultancy for the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River crossing.
In addition, the PPP/C called on the MPI to produce records to substantiate that it notified the 22 companies that bid for the contract during the initial procurement process, which was later annulled, that their bids were rejected, in keeping with the procurement laws.
The calls came a day after the MPI admitted that the Dutch firm LievenseCSO was selected through sole sourcing for the consultancy following the annulment of the initial procurement process, which only saw one valid bid that exceeded the US$800,000 budget for the contract. The admission was made in response to a request by the PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira for the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to investigate the award.
