TENDER BOARD REITERATES COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000183

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/CBA
COMMERCE FOR ITA THOFFMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV PGOV MU
SUBJECT: TENDER BOARD REITERATES COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS



1. On February 25, POLE Assistant attended a presentation by
Zahir al-Rashidi, Oman Tender Board Quantity Survey
Specialist, concerning the tendering process and its
requirements for the pre- and post- tendering phases. With
regards to pre-tendering, Rashidi stated that the Tender
Board works with relevant ministries to identify client needs
and specify tender conditions, including local content
specifications and Omanization requirements. On the
post-tendering phase, Rashidi highlighted the Tender Board
process for advertising for bidders, as well as for
publishing newspaper announcements.


2. Rashidi noted that the Tender Board focuses on ensuring
adequate time for tender document submission and for
responses to queries from prospective bidders. Answers are
distributed to all participating bidders in the form of an
addendum, which also points out any changes to be included in
the tender documents. With respect to the evaluation
process, Rashidi stated that the Tender Board gives more
preference to companies with the most number of Omani
employees; firms also receive an additional 10% "score" for
representing local products.


3. In tailoring his presentation to the local audience,
Rashidi emphasized several important characteristics of
winning tenders, including: compliance with specifications
and requirements; company reputation; completeness of the
documents submitted; competent pricing; percentage of Omani
employees; and the number of local products included in the
company's bid. He further commented that firms should review
their tender packages carefully for any discrepancies that
might call into question the validity of the bid. Finally,
Rashidi assured the audience that, given the Tender Board's
mission of achieving fairness, transparency, and promotion of
local products, Omani companies are provided an equal
opportunity for government business on local tenders over
250,000 Omani rials (USD 650,000). (Note: Ministries are
able to tender internally for projects under this amount.
End note.)


4. Comment: Rashidi's presentation was part of an "Origin
Oman" campaign sponsored by the Public Establishment for
Industrial Estates (PEIE). The campaign is designed to
promote Omani products and services, with the principal
objective of encouraging consumers, buyers, and corporations
to embrace the "Made in Oman" label. PEIE hopes to create
employment opportunities and stimulate the local economy
through a series of "Origin Oman" seminars to educate budding
small and medium size enterprise (SME) operations on how to
compete for business against stronger, more established
competitors. End comment.
GRAPPO