Question NO95(208) to the Minister of Police [Written question 193]:poli
05 March 2025 - NO95(208)
Schickerling, Ms LM to ask the Minister of Police [Written question 193]:poli
(1) With reference to tender bid number 19/1/9/1/01TR(24), published on 25 October 2024 for the provision of money laundering investigation and crime scene investigation tools, which was subsequently cancelled on 18 December 2024 for administrative errors to be sorted out, what (a) administrative errors needed to be sorted out and (b) are the reasons the bid was cancelled after the bid closing date of 14 November 2024; (2) whether any bids were received in respect of the specified tender prior to the closing date; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of (a) the names of the specified bidders and (b) their respective bids; (3) whether the bid was awarded; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) to whom was it awarded and (b) what were the terms of the award?
Reply:
1(a) The bid number 19/1/9/1/01TR(24) was cancelled due to administrative errors, on the bid document as stipulated below:
- The wrong International Standard Organisation (ISO) standard was used in the bid document as per mandatory requirements. Paragraph 1.6 of the mandatory requirements of the bid, required that: “The bidder or Organisational Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) must provide training from beginner level up to the advanced level simulation with professional compliance of ISO 17020 (proof ISO certification must be attached) the bidder must indicate the annexure”. This is only applicable to chapter 3 of the bid. The wrong ISO standard used is ISO 17020 (speaking to mortuaries). The correct ISO standard is ISO 17025 (speaking to machine calibrations in the labs). The error is material and invalidates the tender.
- It was further discovered that most bidders did not meet the requirements of paragraph 1.6. Paragraph 1.6 of the mandatory requirements of the bid. It is required that “the bidder or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) must confirm that the tool or solution has been used for at least a minimum of three years”. It is speculated that the OEMs may deliberately not disclosing or are withholding the information from the bidders. This is based on the observation of the evaluation committee. The solution is to adjust this paragraph for the suppliers to be able to provide information and not be excluded from the tender process.
(b) The publication of the bid with wrong ISO standard was only picked up during evaluation of the tender. The tender had already closed at that time. This error is material and would have resulted in a wrong award of the tender and raise serious supplier performance issues.
2(a) Yes, the following bids were received prior the closing date of the bid:
- Forensic Work (PTY) Ltd.
- Transcomm.
- Risk Diversion Digital (PTY) Ltd.
- AIE on holdings (PTY) Ltd.
- Mustek.
(b) The bidders mentioned in paragraph 2(a), submitted their applications in relation to bid number: 19/1/9/1/01TR(24).
3(a)(b) No, the bid was not awarded to any bidder. The bid was recommended for cancellation due to the committed error.