The Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) has announced a tendering programme that will cater to emerging and new entrant bidders for works across six regions.
A release from MoPW stated that the ministry will be launching public tenders for maintenance activities that involve weeding and cleaning of Sea Defence embankments and reserves and the road shoulders along the main roadways.
According to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, “This Public Tendering Procedures will allow the Ministry to capture the emerging and ‘New Entrant’ contractors. It is vital that the Ministry expand the pool of local contractors particularly to develop capacity within the respective Districts and Regions.”
He further stated that the Ministry will work towards “progressively” exposing the less capable contractors to maintenance and rehabilitation works through the tendering and award of contracts with comparatively reduced scope of works that are not complex. “Labour intensive contracts where the Ministry will provide all construction materials will also be developed and awarded to the emerging and new entrant bidders,” Edghill added.
The Minister also disclosed that the Ministry will collaborate with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board to develop a capacity-building programme to guide the emerging and new entrant contractors through seminars focussing on construction and project management.
A ‘New Entrant’ bidder must satisfy the following minimum statutory requirements: Certificate of Registration; a valid GRA Compliance Certificate; and a valid NIS Compliance Certificate.
Some of the projects launched last weekend included the weeding and cleaning of sea defence embankments from Kingston, Georgetown, to Mahaica River, East Coast Demerara, Region # 4 – (21 Lots) and the weeding and cleaning of road shoulders along main public roads within Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 – (55 Lots).
