For immediate release

17^th April 2020

PRESS RELEASE

Zambia Public Procurement Authority Guides Controlling Officers on How to Conduct Procurements during the COVID 19 Outbreak

Procuring Entities to conduct all COVID 19 Procurements in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and the Public Procurement Regulations.

LUSAKA, (ZPPA News) – THE Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has provided guidance to controlling officers on how procurements should be conducted during the COVID 19 Outbreak, in a bid to avoid wastage of public resources.

In a circular issued to all permanent secretaries and controlling officers, chief executives of parastatal and statutory bodies, all town clerks and council secretaries of local authorities, ZPPA Director General Christopher Chichoni explained that the Authority would closely monitor the end to end supply chains under the COVID 19 environment to ensure value for public resources, transparency, professionalism and accountability.

Mr. Chichoni stated that suppliers taking unreasonable and undue advantage of the COVID 19 situation should be reported to ZPPA.

“The ZPPA remains available and committed to guide all procuring entities and stakeholders under the circumstances,” he declared.

Mr. Chichoni explained that all procurements should comply with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and Public Procurement Regulations, including approval by relevant authorities within institutions.

On how to do procurement during the COVID 19 Outbreak, Mr. Chichoni advised procuring entities to identify all COVID 19 procurement requirements, prepare procurement plans to be approved by respective procurement committees and to submit the procurement plans to ZPPA pursuant to the provisions of Section 42 (2) of the Public Procurement Act.

He further advised procuring entities to adhere to Regulation 39 of the Public Procurement Regulations, which provides guidance on how to conduct procurements in emergency situations.

Mr. Chichoni added that where the situation demanded the choice of procurement methods, procuring entities should not automatically exclude competitive methods of procurement but use maximum competitiveness practically possible in accordance with Regulation 39 (4) of the Public Procurement Regulations.

He encouraged procuring entities to use Standard Solicitation Documents issued by ZPPA and where it was not possible to do so, to apply to the Authority via e-mail for use of modified solicitation documents.

Mr. Chichoni asserted that the modified documents must contain clear instructions on the management of the procurement process and the applicable rules.

He revealed that procuring entities using the Limited Bidding method of procurement on grounds of urgency as provided for under Regulation 53 (3) of the Public Procurement Regulations should determine the reasonable flotation periods given the COVID 19 circumstances.

Mr. Chichoni also stated that all necessary accountable documentation be recorded and filed on receipt of all Goods, Works and Services and reports for all COVID 19 procurements, be submitted to ZPPA fortnightly.

Mr. Chichoni explained that the procurement guidance measures provided would remain in force till May 30^th, 2020 after which, they would be reviewed in collaboration with relevant authorities.

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For more information contact: Laura Mushaukwa Hamusute, Principal Officer-Public Relations, Email: Laura.Hamusute@zppa.org.zm, Phone: +260211377419/+260966220357

 

About the Zambia Public Procurement Authority www.zppa.org.zm

 

The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) was established under the Public Procurement Act No. 12 to regulate public procurement. In discharging its function, ZPPA shall uphold its shared values of fairness, accountability, integrity, mutual respect, transparency, confidentiality, professionalism and excellence.

 

About the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP) www.zppa.org.zm/epps

 

The e-GP System is simply the processing of procurement information and transactions using the computer and the internet. It is a platform for all electronic government public procurement processes. All suppliers and procuring entities are required to register on the e-GP System in order to use it. The objective of the e-GP System is to promote good governance, value for money and social economic development. It is envisaged that once the system is fully rolled out, government will reduce costs and more money can be channelled to developmental projects.