ISLAMABAD: A private firm has complained to the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) that the Pims administration allegedly violated rules in the award of a contract for repair and maintenance work in the hospital.

Officials in the hospital and CADD told Dawn that in a letter to the minister of state, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, the company stated that the management of Pims invited tenders from well-known firms having a minimum five years experience for the project.

The tenders were opened on February 24 in which three companies participated.

However, the management of Pims considered the lowest bidder for the project even though it did not meet the required five-year experience.

The letter added that the company was also not registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).

The company was not eligible for the award of the contract as it did not fulfil the conditions mentioned in the tender, it added.

The minister was requested to order the award of the contract on merit after rejecting the tender of the lowest bidder.

“Your timely decision will not only save us from an injustice but will also benefit Pims as it will be able to get satisfactory and uninterrupted services from a qualified and experienced contractor.” The tender was floated for the repair, maintenance of splits, windows, package type air-conditioners, refrigerators, deep freezers and water coolers.

The conditions of the tender also stated that “the contractor/firm who does not fulfil the criteria will not be eligible and cannot participate in the tender competition, and their tenders will be rejected.”

The officials said there was a difference of about Rs23,000 and Rs43,000 in the offer of the lowest bidder.

The officials said Deputy Director Engineering Obaidullah had also proposed to award the contract to the company with the lowest bid.

The proposal was sent to the director purchase, Dr Anjum Javaid, for approval, they added.

The officials alleged that the company was owned by a person whose spouse once worked at Pims. DDE Obaidullah was not available for comments on the matter.

Director (purchase) Dr Anjum Javaid told Dawn that the tender had not yet been awarded. The case has been sent to the technical committee for an assessment and on the basis of its report and recommendation, the purchase committee would award the tender, he added.

When contacted, Pims administrator Dr Fazle Moula, who was also sent a copy of the complaint by the firm, said he was not authorised to speak to the press.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2016