Procurement board tightens appointment rules for bid evaluation committee

The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has introduced revised procedures for appointing bid evaluation committee (BEC) members, aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in public procurement.

In a media release issued on Monday, the board says the revised measures are part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and ensure those tasked with evaluating public bids meet standards.

“The BEC appointment procedures are aimed at promoting the objectives of the Public Procurement Act, which are, among others, integrity, fair dealing, transparency, and efficiency,” CPBN manager for stakeholder relations Johanna Kambala says.

Under the revised system, applicants must hold accredited qualifications from the Namibia Qualification Authority and a valid certificate of conduct issued by the Namibian Police.

Applicants will also undergo compulsory structured training and complete a competency assessment.

Kambala says the strengthened procedures are designed to ensure that only qualified and capable individuals are entrusted with evaluating public tenders, reinforcing integrity and fair dealing in procurement processes.

“Prior to appointment, the candidates shall be required to confirm uninterrupted availability from the closing date of the bid. The appointed members will be assessed on their performance of conducting an evaluation of the bid,” she says.

Kambala says the BECs are established as ad hoc committees, drawing members from the general public rather than CPBN staff, in line with the Public Procurement Act.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.