Early infrastructure works for Regions 2 and 3

─ Tender process fully transparent 

─ next step is for evaluation committee to assess each bid and make recommendations to respective tender boards

DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 4, 2019

The Regional Administrations of Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region 2 and Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Region 3 have begun the process of awarding contracts for 2019 infrastructure works.

Region 2 closed their box at 09:00hrs on January 22 with a total of 515 tenders received while Region 3 received a total of 717 bids. The counts were witnessed by members of Regions 2 and 3 Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Boards, the staff of the administrations, interested observers, contractors and contractors’ representatives. The processes were public and open to everyone.

After the count, both regions separated the documents according to the name of the projects tendered for, and in keeping with standard practice, this was also done openly. The sealed envelopes bearing no indication of who is the contractor with the names of the project on the top of the envelopes were then opened. The Chairpersons of the tender boards announced the project – the number of bids received for each project – the engineer’s estimate for each project – the company’s name of the contractor that tendered for the project and the tendered amount. After that was done, members of the tender boards placed their respective signatures on each bid form, and bill of quantities from within each tender received. Tender Board members of Region 2 subsequently signed 515 bid forms and bill of quantities. Region 3 Tender Board members signed 717 bid forms and bill of quantities.

Members of Region 3 Tender Board being assisted at the opening of tenders. [centre] Regional Executive Officer (REO) and Chairperson of Region 3 Tender Board, Jennifer Ferreira Dougall

Region 2 opening tenders. [left] Regional Executive Officer (REO) and Chairman of Region 2 Tender Board, Denis Jaikaran observing the process

Speaking to the observers of the processes, both Regional Executive Officers stated that the process will continue to be transparent as it continues.

“We intend to be as transparent as possible because in all fairness to the bidders it is a competition and the most responsive bidder will be the winner. The criteria outlined in the documents have to be met. The end result is all about delivering proper services to our people,” remarked Region 2 REO, Denis Jaikaran.

Region 3 REO, Jennifer Ferreira Dougall said, “The rules and regulations will guide us, and we will not disenfranchise anyone. The process is not a lengthy one, and every step that leads to the awarding must be done in conformity with the laws that govern our operations.”

The next step is for the evaluation committee to assess each bid and make recommendations to the respective tender boards. Region 2 is expected to begin awarding as early as February 5, while Region 3 is expected to same later in the week.

Some of the works to be executed in Region 2 are the construction of a sluice at the Charity Market, construction of a Timber Bridge at Queenstown Main canal, construction of a reinforced concrete bridge at the La Union Cremation Site road. Roads will be upgraded at Charity Old Housing Scheme, GT&T Tower Street – Good Hope and La Union Cremation Site. The region will also be purchasing a bitumen distributor which will contribute to the timely and effective maintenance of secondary roads across the region.

Region 3 will see the construction of a revetment at Phoenix Sluice, Leguan, and construction of a revetment to control structure at Beribisaballi, construction of Ramp and Landing at Salem EBE and the rehabilitation of Enterprise Sluice. The Construction of heavy-duty RC Bridges at Edinburg Access Road, Retreat Street – Parika and Hague Backdam will also be done. The Leonora Hospital access road will be rehabilitated among many other projects.

Story and Images: Ganesh Mahipaul