§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how she ensures that overseas tenders for which her Department are preparing are conducted in such a way as to ensure(a) value for money and (b) that all tenders have an equal chance of winning the contract. [21007]
§ Mr. FoulkesMy Department has in place systems which require that all contracts which are to be funded by DFID are reviewed and agreed by specialist advisers within the Department. We look for value-for-money by ensuring that invitations to tender are clear, unambiguous, and attract the widest possible field of interested suppliers. We are careful to check specifications and instructions to tenderers to ensure that all suitably qualified tenderers have an equal opportunity.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the extent to which the system of allowing export duty payable on aid contracts in India gives all those tendering an equal opportunity. [21009]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe rules concerning the application of all taxes and duties are clearly defined in contracts which are funded by the Department for International Development. Although these may vary from one contract to another, depending upon the particular needs of the recipient of the aid, all are designed to ensure that everyone who tenders is given an equal opportunity.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has evaluated on the circumstances surrounding the current tender for the machinery to monitor and control the supply of electricity to the City of Hyderabad in India; and if she will make a statement. [21008]
§ Mr. FoulkesI am grateful for the opportunity to be able to draw attention to this valuable work. Not only will the project enable the electricity utility to operate more efficiently and therefore at lower cost but, more important, it will greatly improve the efficiency of the use of fuel, thereby reducing emissions and contributing to the fight against global warming. My Department has 101W been fully represented in the formulation and design of the project, the production of the contract documents, and the evaluation of the bids. East Midlands Electricity International are the British experts representing the Department for International Development in this work, which has also been monitored by experts in electrical engineering and procurement from my Department.
The response to the invitation to tender has been excellent, with five bids submitted. The evaluation process has been completely transparent and fully in accordance with the very clear rules set out in the Instructions to the Bidders.