Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - November 2, 2005
Jude Etyang and Steven Candia
The commission, chaired by Justice James Ogoola, questioned how Gulf Africa, a supplier of only computer accessories, was short-listed to supply computers.
Four other multi-million contracts for the purchase of HIV drugs, test kits and vehicles are going to be looked into by the commission.
Commissioner Lydia Jabwor asked the procurement expert for the Global Fund Project Management Unit (PMU), Dr. Pinto Jjemba, who drafted the contracts, why Gulf Africa was short-listed yet they had not even placed a bid for the contract.
Jjemba said Gulf Africa was on the Ministry of Health list of 2004 of pre-qualified suppliers of computers.
Ogoola asked how the company would have managed the tender.
"If Gulf Africa had won, they would only be able to supply peripherals, being one of the five companies who were short-listed.
It wasn't that you had to supply every item," Jjemba explained. When Ogoola presented the bid document for Jjemba to point out the provision saying the supplier would not provide all items, he failed to show it.
The commission also questioned how MS Technologies Associates were given a tender of $25,000 to provide a computer server, yet they had been evaluated as technically non-compliant for the contract.
The lead counsel, Phillip Karugaba, also queried how the company was evaluated, yet they did not bid.
Jjemba instead accused PWC of contradicting itself, saying on one hand MS Technology did not bid, yet the audit firm states that they reviewed the company's bid and found that they were not technically compliant.
Jjemba said MS Technology had failed compliance for some items but that they were compliant on other items, which they were awarded.
He added that PWC had used a wrong document to allege that MS Technology was not compliant. He said the firm had passed preliminary tests but failed tests for financial compliance.
Jjemba brushed off PWC claims that a cheaper computer server would have saved the Fund US$15,000.
Earlier, Ogoola re-examined Jjemba on why the Global Fund expenditure was handled as an emergency yet the circumstances did not call for it.
Jjemba said the PMU was under pressure to spend US$36m in nine months on AIDS projects and it had to set up an office and recruit staff.
051102
NV051101
Copyright © 2005 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .