INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Ministry of Digital Economy has actually issued an information regarding misleading media reports on the procurement of power
circulation systems (PDUs) for computer systems and equipment systems at Divisional Secretariats under the Electronic National Identity Card
(e-NIC) Project.Issuing a statement, the Ministry noted that the procurement of PDUs was carried out with the objective of ensuring the safe
and sustainable distribution of electrical power to computers and devices systems previously distributed to Divisional Secretariats across
the country.These units are important for the prompt application of personal registration and biometric data collection as part of the e-NIC
Different cost-effective choices were likewise considered during this procurement, the declaration added.It even more noted that the bidding
files for this procurement were prepared based upon recommendations from a Technical Evaluation Committee making up experts in electrical
power systems and IT networking, representing the University of Moratuwa and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri
Technical requirements were developed accordingly to meet the needed requirements
Based upon these specs, the procurement of 700 equipment systems was started by the Project Procurement Committee, under the guidelines of
the National Procurement Commission, the Ministry stated.The Ministry of Digital Economy stated thinking about the high-value and sensitive
nature of the devices utilized in the e-NIC processsuch as gadgets used to collect biometric dataas well as the security of both federal
government officers and service receivers, the Committee went with industrial-grade PDUs rather of domestic-grade units.Accordingly, bids
were welcomed from skilled suppliers on April 29, 2025 under the tender number DRP/e-NIC/PRO/ 2025/06, by releasing paper notifications in
all 3 languages.The statement from the Ministry said, This was simply an open and transparent National Competitive Bidding (NCB) process,
and was not targeted at any particular company
Of the 11 business that acquired the tender files, 8 sent sealed quotes
The proposed prices of the bidders suggested a large difference, which was publicly divulged in a way accessible to all participants.The
examination of the eight bids was performed in 3 phases, in line with Procurement Guideline 7.1:1
Preliminary Examination of Bids to confirm minimum qualifications2
Detailed Technical Evaluation3
Post-Qualification EvaluationAccording to Clause 7.1 of the Government Procurement Guidelines, the choice of the bidder need to not be based
exclusively on the lowest cost, but rather on the Substantially Responsive Lowest Bid
Some bidders who provided lower prices failed to satisfy initial or technical requirements and were therefore disqualified from further
evaluation.Among the technically certified quotes, the picked vendor proposed a price of approximately Rs
50 million (leaving out VAT) for 700 systems, fulfilling all required technical specs
This was not the lowest quote, but it was the most affordable amongst those that fulfilled all technical and procedural requirements
The picked quote was the fifth most affordable amongst the 8, with 3 other quotes offering even higher costs
It ought to also be kept in mind that transportation expenses for these unitseach possibly weighing up to 3 kgto all Divisional Secretariats
across the country are included in the quoted price.Before the final award, under Clause 8.5 of the Procurement Guidelines, any appeals sent
by disqualified celebrations needed to be reviewed
2 such appeals were gotten, and the pertinent Appeals Committee concluded that it could not agree with the claims
Its final suggestion was therefore forwarded to the Ministry of Digital Economy to make a final decision
As of now, no final decision has actually been made by the Ministry, and the choice procedure stays under review.The Ministry also
highlighted that the existing status of this procurement is only the identification of the significantly responsive most affordable bid
amongst the qualified proposals.The Digital Economy Ministry stated therefore, it declines the claims flowing in some media alleging that
the government acquired uncommonly expensive electrical units or that favoritism was shown towards a particular company.It even more
reaffirmed that all staying procurement related to the Electronic National Identity Card task will continue to be managed under the guidance
of the Ministry of Digital Economy, with high openness, adherence to requirements, and cost-effectiveness, as has been the practice so far.
