From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
MINISTRIES, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) may frustrate the Federal Government’s resolve to begin implementation of the 2016 budget when it is assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The concern comes as indications emerged that the 2016 budget would be signed this week by the President against which premise Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, promised that implementation would begin almost immediately. But available indications point to the fact the 24 Ministries and their agencies and departments may frustrate this effort as only the Ministry of Power has made efforts to prepare its tender request document as at the time of this report.
Daily Sun learnt that if the proposal is released late, capital projects would not be completed early and this will affect implementation of the budget.
Recall that tendering is the process of making an offer, bid or proposal, or expressing interest in response to an invitation or request for tender. Organisations will seek other businesses to respond to a particular need such as the supply of goods and services, and will select an offer or tender that meets their needs and provide the best value for money.
Tender request document is also referred to as invitation to tender, Requests for Tender (RTF), Requests for Proposal (RFP) among others or what the requesting organisation’s needs are. These documents also outline the particular requirements, criteria and instructions that are to be followed.
Future tenders are generally widely advertised to offer opportunities to a number of suppliers, encourage competition and provide a greater pool of offers to select from.
Interested suppliers will then prepare a tender; the documents that outline the offer they are making, and this will include pricing, schedules as well as their eligibility for the project or procurement. They will outline their advantage over competitors; provide information on qualifications, competencies and experience. Also, they have to demonstrate how their bid offers the best value for money.
The submitted tenders are then evaluated with regard to defined criteria. In a normal tendering situation, this process should be conducted fairly and honestly, and in a manner that is free from bias or favour. The offer that best meets all of the requirements outlined in the request, and provides value for money should win the contract.
In view of the long process of tendering, the source expressed fear that capital projects, which usually take time, will definitely be affected and this will impinge on the overall implementation of the budget.