Question NW926 to the Minister of Basic Education
08 June 2020 - NW926
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether her department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business; (2) whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; (3) what was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender; (4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) The Department awarded a tender for the the provision of water tanks and water to 3 500 schools to alleviate the COVID 19 pandemic;
(a) Rand Water Board
(b) R600m
(c) Water tanks and water to 3 500 schools across the country
(2) There was deviation from normal tender processes
(a) Because of the emergency nature situation as the provision of water was a prerequisite to the reopening of schools.
(b) The procurement was done in terms of National Treasury Instruction No. 5 of 2020/2021, read with treasury Instruction 16A6.4 and National Treasury Practice Note 8 of 2007/2008.
(3) The tender was awarded to Rand Water due to their proven track record of delivering huge projects within a short space and also because they are an entity of government through the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). To regulate the business relationship, a trilateral agreement (Implementation Protocol) was signed between the DWS, Rand Water, and the Department of Basic Education.
(4) Yes, I will make a statement on this matter.