CPBN approves N$1.2b tenders over 5 months

Eight out of ten competitive procurement awards over a five-month period were geared towards local entities, the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has confirmed.

During this reporting period, the board approved ten competitive procurement awards worth N$1.2 billion. Notably, 80% of these awards, amounting to N$849 million, were awarded to Namibian entities.

"Direct procurement ranks highest due to the ministry of health procurement from the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), valued at N$2 billion,” the procurement board said.

“This procurement was conducted without competition, as the public entity had the capacity to provide the required services, in line with Section 34 and Section 36 of the Public Procurement Act,” it added.



Second quarter

During the second quarter of 2024, the board approved five variations and/or price increases to the total value of N$46 million, of which one to the value of N$8 million was in the first quarter and four to the value of N$37 million were in the second quarter.

“The surge in the second quarter of 80% is attributable to price increases, escalations and extensions of time with costs in works projects currently underway in various regions of the country,” the procurement board said.

During the first two quarters, the board approved the cancellation of three bids valued at N$1.1 billion.

Explaining the rationale behind cancellations, the procurement board said it is provided for under Section 54 of the Public Procurement Act before a bid is accepted, under specific circumstances such as non-responsiveness, irregularities or exceeding cost estimates.

“Bid cancellations are kept to a minimum, as they are considered a last resort to avoid disrupting service delivery and ensuring the benefits of procurement processes reach the intended end users,” the procurement board explained.