The General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) clarified today that it is provisional, until the process is completed, which suspended the tender called for the design, supply and issuance of electronic passports in the Dominican Republic.
The suspension of said tender by DGCP was made through administrative monitoring act 036-2024, which indicates that it was done after verifying aspects that indicate the violation of the principles of equality, participation and free competition of the participating companies.
25 companies participated in the process, of which 23 withdrew and only two remained. According to the DGCP, Through the monitoring system of the questions and answers of the companies, aspects were verified that indicate the violation of the principles of equality, participation and free competition.
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“It was verified through the Electronic Public Procurement System that the circulars with questions and answers to more than 265 questions asked by those interested in the procedure were loaded, which, in their majority, referred to technical aspects. It turns out that: Only two bidders formally submitted their offers for the reference procedure, out of the twenty-five that had shown interest,” says the DGCP document.
It indicates that after the analysis, aspects were verified that indicate a violation of the principles established in article 3 of law 340-06 and its amendments, especially that of equality and free competition and that of participation, which seek to ensure that in public procurement procedures the equal participation of all potential bidders is respected, as well as to seek the participation of the greatest possible number of natural or legal persons who have the required competence.
The governing body has received a request for intervention from the General Directorate of Passports in order to clarify any doubts and ensure the integrity of the process.
It indicates that, “in view of the prior information gathering, the procedure carried out by that institution presents weaknesses, which shows a failure to comply with the provisions set forth in the aforementioned law 340-06 and its amendments, and in the Implementation Regulation 416-23.
The contract for the winning company is for an amount of (RD$6,000,000,000.00).
The suspension resolution states that it was made after verifying aspects that indicate a vulnerability to the principles established in article 3 of law 340-06 and its amendments, especially those of equality and free competition and participation.
Suspicion
The tender was suspended due to suspicions that 23 companies that participated in the process violated the right to free competition and equality. Of the 25 participating companies, 23 withdrew and only two remained.
