GREAT BAY--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs has met with companies that participated in the government's solid waste collection tender to address concerns about the evaluation process, explain how contracts will be allocated, and outline the remaining steps before final awards are made.
The meeting followed questions raised by bidders after they received their evaluation results through the Mercell tender software. Discussions focused on the scoring system, the allocation of garbage collection parcels, and the procedures used to determine which companies qualify for contracts.
Minister Gumbs explained that each of the six garbage collection parcels is evaluated individually, regardless of how many parcels a company submitted bids for. This means a company bidding on all six parcels could potentially emerge as the highest-ranked compliant bidder for every parcel, although the tender rules limit each contractor to a maximum of two parcels.
Under the tender's Terms of Reference, the highest-ranked compliant bidder is identified as the potential contractor. Before a contract can be awarded, the company must sign an indemnification form and demonstrate that the required equipment is available in accordance with Article 20. Failure to satisfy these requirements triggers the reallocation procedures outlined in Article 6.8.
According to the Minister, the next stage involves an indemnification meeting, scheduled for Friday, November 6, during which qualifying bidders will discuss which two parcels they can realistically manage. A subsequent verification meeting will establish whether the necessary equipment is available.
Gumbs explained that the equipment verification requirement was introduced following shortcomings experienced during the 2021-2026 garbage collection tender, when some companies awarded contracts did not possess all the equipment required to carry out their responsibilities.
During the meeting, bidders also questioned the evaluation committee's scoring methodology and the functioning of the Mercell software platform. The Minister indicated that he would confirm the process through which companies will receive detailed feedback on their submissions.
He also disclosed that he had received indications that some bidders lost points because incorrect information was attached to their tender submissions. While he did not provide specific details, Gumbs said the evaluation committee would be allowed to share relevant information directly with the participating companies.
"We promised transparency, and we intend to keep that promise," Minister Gumbs said. "If any part of this process raises concerns, we will continue to do our part to inform the bidders and the public about the current status, the next steps, and any implications arising from the process."
The Minister emphasized that the Ministry is working in good faith to ensure the tender process is properly completed and urged participating companies and the wider public to allow the evaluation committee to conclude its work.
The Ministry of VROMI said further updates will be provided as the tender process advances.
