The Public Procurement Authority (PPA), in partnership with the National Investment Bank (NIB), has unveiled a new web portal aimed at validating the eligibility and credibility of contractors, suppliers and consultants that are interested in Government of Ghana tenders.
According to the Authority, all contractors, suppliers and consultants interested in participating in Government Tenders, are required to register on the portal using valid documents as per supplier qualification requirements of Section 22 of Act 663.
Speaking at the launch on Monday in Accra, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PPA, A.B Adjei said local and foreign firms are to pay GHC300 and $200 respectively as registration fees.
Mr. Adjei explained that the portal has been developed to enhance the process of validating supplier eligibility for government contracts.
“It is our hope that all well-meaning Ghanaians will support this initiative and ensure its effective implementation in the country. Remember, no registration, no government contract.”
Highlighting the benefits of the portal, the CEO stated that procuring entities would have the necessary assurance that the service providers enlisted on the Authority’s database are credible and worthy of transacting business with government.
He said procuring entities “will have to rely on this database for the selection of service providers for Single Source, Restricted Tendering and Request for Quotation procurement methods or even other procurement procedures as Frame Agreements.”
With the introduction of the portal, he said suppliers shall be relieved of the burden of multiple registrations at various procuring entities “which eventually increases their cost of doing business.”
He observed that business registration certificates, valid Value-Added Tax registration certificate, valid Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) registration certificate, Ministry of Works and Housing Certificate, Labour Certificate and Ministry of Roads and Highways Certificate are needed for the registration process.
Background
Section 22 of the PPA Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended, provides, among others, that a tenderer in public procurement possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications and competence, financial resources, equipment and other physical facilities.
Mr. Adjei said the portal has been launched in accordance with the law, stressing that it would ensure strict compliance in state procurements.
Meanwhile, Board Chairman of PPA, Professor Douglass Boateng, has indicated that the portal is going to provide a single window in terms of how suppliers deal with government.
By Melvin Tarlue & Shuab Ali