Question NW2226 to the Minister of Social Development
21 October 2021 - NW2226
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What (a) are the detailed reasons for the cancellation of the tender for the development of a Substance Abuse System and (b) is the purpose and objective of the specified system, which was an item in the quarterly financial report, under programme 1, but that was not achieved (details furnished); (2) whether she will furnish Ms B S Masango with a list of bidders; if not, why not; if so, to whom was the tender originally awarded; (3) what role do the programmes in the report have in addressing the drug crisis in the Republic; (4) whether the programme also targets the homeless populations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1a) The tender was cancelled due to the scope of the project, which was not properly defined and crafted in line with the advertised terms of reference. This resulted in huge price difference between the bidders. The request for cancellation of the tender was submitted and approved by the Bid Adjudication Committee of the Department.
(b) The purpose of this project is to upgrade the monitoring and evaluation of substance use disorder treatment services in South Africa to ensure capacity for greater responsiveness to emerging substance use trends, rapid feedback to providers, policy makers through the integration with other systems on demonstrable electronic architecture. The objectives are to monitor the quality and outcomes of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) services; to improve the quality of SUD treatment in South Africa and to collect data that is needed to advocate for greater investment in SUD prevention, treatment and continuing care services.
(2) First bidder: Esoftware Solutions (PTY)LTD; Second bidder: Tirisan Teach Solutions (PTY)LTD.
The Tender was not awarded to anyone. The difference in price was enormous hence the request to cancel the tender and be allowed to redefine the scope for re-advertisement.
(3) The role of the Integrated Anti-Substance Abuse Programme is to develop, review, implement and Monitor legislation, policies and services aimed at reducing the scourge of substance abuse in the country. The system is therefore intended to monitor compliance, quality of services and trend and patterns of substance abuse in the country.
(4) The integrated Anti-Substance Abuse Programme targets children and youth in and out of school, women, people with disabilities, men, homeless people, and people living in substance abuse hot spot areas.