- Middle Nation Investigation Unit
The Social Security Institute (IPS) published yesterday in its call for bids for the “Design and construction of the IPS hematoncology center” an extensive document concerning the technical specifications of the work, the small detail is that the complex dossier is socialized against the clock. Those interested hardly have 10 days of time for the presentation of your offer envelopes when they had already mentioned that, taking into account the magnitude of the project, at least 60 days of time are required.
Sensitive requirements for the construction of the future hematoncology center give no respite for analysis, studies or competitive projects, the interested parties question. The information published yesterday on the portal of the National Directorate of Public Procurement (DNCP) is essential, therefore the complaint about the rush to open envelopes; however, the technical requirements are only published 25 days after the call for a work that will demand G. 226,000 million of the money of the insured.
The pension first prioritizes the publication of an advance of 20% (US$ 6.3 million) for the company that is awarded and only almost a month later the specifications that are required for a hospital of such high complexity as it hopes to be the hematoncology center in which patients with conditions such as cancer will be received.
It must be remembered that since last October 25, the DNCP has been investigating the call after complaints against its Bidding Terms and Conditions (PBC) made by contractors interested in the project who, in addition to the short time set for the receipt of offers (25 days), they noted how the PBC requirements are a filter for applicants. “In the section Specific Experience in works they request: during the last 10 (ten) years under the design and construction modality of at least 1 (one) hospital center of 8,000 m2. Where spatial installations have been designed and executed: generating equipment, transformers, fire prevention system (PCI). Air conditioning and ventilation system with filters (EPA). Installation of weak signals. Medical gas system. Effluent treatment plant, there is only one case in Paraguay”, on this point the interested parties alluded to the Villarrica Hospital, which was inaugurated by President Mario Abdo, a work that demanded from the IPS about G. 50,000 million, completing a constructed area of 8,235 square meters, In addition to underlining that the convener has tendered and awarded a 60,000 m2 hospital currently under construction, without this type of experience being a requirement in the PBC.
Read more: They approve indebting the IPS to pay pharmaceutical companies
For its part, the DNCP recommended to the IPS the extension of the deadlines for both receipt of offers and opening of envelopes set for November 17, while the investigations continue, this is more than 15 days ago; however, this recommendation was ignored by the pension plan.
What is less striking is the careless and hasty manner in which the administration led by the president of the IPS Board of Directors, Vicente Batagliais taking this call for which the anticipated 20% advance reaches no less than US$6.3 million, which at this rate should be disbursed just a few days before the party elections scheduled for next month.
The entrance IPS ignores consultations and rushes tender with juicy advance payment was first published in diary TODAY.