Procurement Appeal Board reserves verdict on BIA aircraft refuelling facility tender issue
Sri Lanka’s Procurement Appeal Board has reserved its verdict on the tender award pertaining to the upgrading and construction of a new aircraft refueling facility at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake after hearing submissions made by complainants against the selected bidder, a Greek company, official sources revealed.
Some of the other bidders who had objected to the tender being awarded to this Greek company on grounds that it was inexperienced in such work and didn’t meet the prescribed criteria set out in the tender announcement, had complained direct to the Presidential Secretariat and made an appeal to the Procurement Appeal Board.
As a result an inquiry was held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on February 18 and counsel for the complainants had made submissions challenging the authenticity of documents submitted by the Greek company to prove their eligibility to clinch the tender.
Minister of Petroleum Resources Chandima Weerakkody told the Business Times that the Ministry is waiting for the verdict of Procurement Appeal Board to take a decision on this matter after considering all aspects including the safety at the BIA.
He categorically stated that as the Minister in charge of the subject, he will not allow any irregularities and unfair treatment in awarding tenders, but he is not intervening into Cabinet Approved Procurement Committee (CAPC) and the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) activities.
“The Ministry is yet to receive the decision of the Appeal Board and soon after receiving the verdict necessary action will be taken to mete out justice,” he said.
The upgrading of the Aviation Refueling Terminal and the existing Fuel Hydrant system at the BIA should be carried out by a company with considerable experience and technical expertise, as an unintended spark can ignite the fuel vapour, causing a major fire, an aviation expert said.
The criteria for selection includes submitting proof that a bidder has carried out fuel terminal construction to the magnitude of US$ 25 million, say CPC unions.
Speaking to the Business Times, other bidders who participated in the tender opening alleged that, members of the CAPC and the TEC had not properly scrutinised the bid documents and their expertise in handling US$ 25 million-size projects.
In a letter to the CPC Chairman, trade unions noted that the same tender had been called twice- on June 18, 2015 and on April 29, 2016. The first tender was cancelled by the same CAPC and TEC without any valid reasons.