PSI co may get contract for container scanners at port

FE Report | Published: August 11, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The government is likely to award the contract for supply, installation and operation of four container scanners at Chittagong port to a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) company, which emerged as the successful bidder in a re-tender process.

The project will be financed by the government itself as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which earlier pledged US$11.0 million for the purpose, did not agree to the re-tendering process and refused to provide the loan.

Earlier, the Chittagong Customs House (CCH) invited re-tender for the project after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) detected that one 'black-listed' company quoted the lowest price in the first international tender.

As a result, the first tender was scrapped and a re-tender was invited by the CCH that closed on May 4 this year. But the ADB upheld that they were not given prior information about the whole affair and so refused to give their consent.

"We will issue the notification of award to the successful bidder of the re-tender that has been evaluated by our committee," said Md Moazzem Hossain.

Moazzem who is project director of Chittagong Port Trade Facilitation Project also said: "We still have around four weeks to complete the formalities before the validity of the tender expires."

He said: "Everything is ready. Now we are waiting for the government order to award the contract."

He also said: "I have received a letter stating that the government will finance the project after refusal by the ADB."

In the re-tender, three international companies - SGS, IPS and Smith Heimann - participated.

Sources said SGS quoted US$ 14.883 million, Smith Heimann US$ 12.603 million and IPS US$ 14.696 million for supply, operation and maintenance. The maintenance and operation period will be for six years.

CCH sources said IPS and Smith Heimann were non-responsive in their bids.

The CCH invited the first tender on December 7 last year for installing four scanners at the premier port and received offers from Cotecna, SGS, IPS and Smith Heighmann.