CPIB to look into NParks bike purchase

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http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120726-0000046/CPIB-to-look-into-NParks-bike-purchase

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has been roped in to look into the National Parks Board's purchase of 26 foldable Brompton bicycles.

Yesterday, the Ministry of National Development (MND) confirmed - in response to media queries - that it has reported the matter to the CPIB and that the NParks officer in charge of the purchase of the bicycles - which cost S$2,200 each - had been suspended following an internal audit ordered by National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

The suspended officer is Mr Bernard Lim, an assistant director of the Park Connector Network.

MND had said that the internal audit "uncovered some discrepancies which, although inconclusive by themselves, suggested the possibility of bias in the procurement".

It had also reportedly established that Mr Lim had links on Facebook to the owners of BikeHop, the company which won the tender - although it also noted that the Facebook account of Mr Lim - a biking enthusiast - also had other bike suppliers and vendors as "friends".

The NParks' call for a quotation was published on government procurement portal GeBIZ on Jan 25. The invitation closed on Jan 30, with BikeHop as the only bidder.

The incident has raised several questions among observers about the Government's procurement process:

1. What are the safeguards against abuse of the system, particularly when only one bid is received?
2. Should the minimum duration for the publicity of tenders be longer?
3. Should it be extended when there is just a single bid?
4. Is the publicity for tenders adequate?

Under MOF's current guidelines, in general, quotations must be open for at least four working days, while tenders must be open for at least 14 calendar days (25 calendar days for tenders subject to international trade agreements).