Government procurement - independent panel

18 August 2012 

Editor, Voices

Today Paper

I refer to the reply from the Director (Corporate Communications) of the
Ministry of Finance on government procurement.

In referring to my suggestion on having an independent panel for large 

tenders, the Director said that "While agencies can engage such experts 

to help in the tender evaluation, it is important that accountability for 

purchases remains with the agency."

The Director had missed the intent of my suggestion, which was aimed

to ensure that this is independent consideration in the award of 

the large tender.

The procuring agency can still have its influence and accountability when they make the 

recommendation to the independent panel. It will be more difficult for the procuring 

agency to collude with its favored suppliers when there is an independent panel.

The role of the independent panel is similar to the role of the board of directors 

in taking major corporate decisions.

The Director had mentioned the existing of an audit process. The audit process can 

check for compliance with procedures, but may not be effective in checking that 

the tender have been awarded based on achieving the right price and quality and 

in preventing favoritism in the award.

Tan Kin Lian