Bidders no match for Khato Civils
Staff Writer | Friday August 2, 2019 13:20
It also says that the company had not only outscored all its rivals in all evaluation stages but by staggering margins.
Khato had submitted the most cost saving financial proposal for the project, beating even all the six Chinese companies that are well known for their cost effective financial proposals for large projects like this one, it has also emerged.
The evaluation report also shows that of all the bidders, Khato proposed to complete the project in less than the 12-month period set by client.
The evaluation report puts to bed any lingering thoughts that the bid winner might have been done a favour as purported by a social media deep throat.
They alleged that Khato Civils bid had been disqualified in the first hurdle until President Mokgweetsi Masisi ordered for its appointment.
The evaluation report however shows that after outscoring rivals during the preliminary and technical evaluations, Khato Civils Joint Venture joined two Chinese companies; China State and Jiunsu/Unik Construction in the final stages, the financial evaluation, where they also emerged the best.
To put the performance of Khato Civils into perspective, they scored 95% in the technical evaluation, with no other company reaching 90%.
Contrary to allegations that the Simbi Phiri-owned company was the most expensive of the lot, the tender evaluation report shows that Khato Civils was in fact cheaper than even all the Chinese contractors that had set the bar lately as the cheapest contractors.
For the desired pipe specifications for the 100km pipeline and associated works, Khato Civils emerged the best choice as its P781, 555,356.90 was the most cost effective while the nearest alternative Jiansu and Unik Construction Joint Venture, had quoted P999,453,348.83, for the same 1,000mm diameter ductile pipes, a difference of P217, 897,992.93.
According the bid adjudicators’ remarks, the Khato Civils financial proposal was also the best since they proposed to use 1,000 mm diameter ductile pipes which the client, Water Utility Corporation (WUC) considered the most viable option in terms of handling high pressure flows of up 64million litres of water per day while a continuous 800mm diameter conveyance pipe was considered not viable. Khato Civils had also proposed to use ductile iron pipes considered a more robust pipe than PVC-O.
They topped the rest of the lot in this category also. Khato Civils technical approach and methodology approach was also hailed as detailed with reference to relevant and required standards.
Technology proposed was deemed acceptable and had considered environmental, safety and health requirements.
“The bidder has shown understanding of the project objectives and requirements and have outlined above average mitigation strategies for ensuring minimum impact on the environment within the project area, the report reads in part.”
The evaluation further found that Khato Civils proposed a combination of a 1,000mm/800mm ductile pipes as option one and a 1,000mm dia PVC-O as option two, which the adjudicators found feasible.
The adjudicators also found that Khato Civils proposed a pumping duration of 16 hours a day, which is acceptable and that the proposed methodology and framework cover up to project close out, something the adjudicators’ found acceptable.
“The bidder has adequately proposed their risk management approach which will harmonise working relationship with the client (WUC),” they stated.
Meanwhile, Vice President (VP), Slumber Tsogwane over the weekend also questioned the motive of those soiling the name of President Masisi through the latest water tender. Addressing a packed rally in Kanye at the launch of Kanye North parliamentary candidate, Thapelo Letsholo, the VP assured Kanye and neighbouring villages of improved water flow in the area by next year as a result of the recently awarded tender.
Tsogwane said while it was true that the 100km water tender was originally not in the development masterplan, it was however critical for government to respond to the dire water needs in the area, he said.
The VP said it was not abnormal to introduce an emergency national development project as other regions in the country have benefitted the same way, citing the Boteti West water plan as another example of such emergency projects with value.
He added that even though Khato Civils was not appointed through a single source selection, such a method of appointment is one of the many acceptable methods of selection by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board.
Tsogwane also said even if Khato Civils had proposed the project and government accepted the proposal there would have been nothing corrupt about the practice. This is since government entities do receive and consider proposals from time to time.
The VP lashed out at purveyors of the Khato Civils fake news, and accused them of targeting Masisi who is uncompromising in fighting high-level corruption.