The public procurement watchdog dismissing Absa Life’s application for a review of a Sh65 million tender awarded to APA Life Assurance Ltd for providing group life insurance cover for Members of Parliament in Kenya. Let’s break down the key points:
- Tender Dismissed: Absa Life Assurance Kenya Ltd had requested a review of the tender, claiming that APA Life Assurance Ltd, the winning bidder, failed to include stamp duty and the policyholders’ compensation fund levy in their calculations, which, according to Absa Life, should have disqualified them.
- Proper Evaluation: The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) ruled that the tender was properly evaluated according to the Procurement Act, regulations, and the tender document. The board’s chair, Mr. George Murugu, explained that the tender document did not require bidders to outline specific taxes and levies separately, as all sums were considered inclusive of these charges.
- Compliance: The board emphasized that APA Life Assurance had filled out the price schedule form as part of their tender, which met the mandatory requirements of the tender document.
- Number of Bidders: It’s worth noting that Parliament had invited bids for the group life insurance cover for MPs for the 2023-2024 period, and 13 companies submitted their bids.
This news highlights the importance of understanding tender requirements and ensuring compliance, as even seemingly small details like taxes and levies can have a significant impact on the evaluation process. If you have any opinions or questions related to this topic, feel free to share, and we can discuss further.