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The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has suspended SMSize Solutions Limited from participating in public procurement for a period of one year.
This is for the submission of falsified compliance certificates from the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB).
Iñutu Mushambatwa, the ZPPA Principal Officer for Public Relations, confirmed the decision to Zambia Monitor in a statement issued on Friday in Lusaka.
Mushambatwa said this was in a tender for the supply and delivery of high-powered solar home systems floated by the Rural Electrification Authority in December, 2022 and January, 2023.
She said in April 2023, ZPPA instituted investigations into the supply and delivery of high-powered solar home systems following a complaint from REA.
“During the investigations, the Authority established that SMSize Solutions Limited submitted compliance certificates from Workers Compensation Fund Control Board and NAPSA which were not genuine in the tender for the supply and delivery of solar home systems floated by Rural Electrification Authority (REA),” Mushambatwa said.
She said further during the investigations, the supplier claimed that it used an agent to obtain the compliance certificates.
“The submission of false information in a contract or procurement process is contrary to section 96(b) of the Public Procurement Act No.8 of 2020 which provides that:
“A bidder or supplier shall be suspended from participating in public procurement where the bidder or supplier has – (b) provided false information in a bid or any other document submitted to a procuring entity in connection with a procurement process or contract.” Mushambatwa said.
She said ZPPA has therefore suspended SMSize Solutions Limited from participating in public procurement for a period of one year with effect from June 5, 2023.
Mushambatwa said the suspension includes any ‘successor in interest’ including any entity which employs or is associated with any partners, directors or other officers considered as successors in interest.
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She said the suspension does not in any way limit SMSize Solutions Limited from performing outstanding contracts that were entered into before 5th June, 2023.
“ZPPA wishes to advise all procuring entities to enforce the suspension by ensuring that they do not award contracts, sell or issue solicitation documents or in any other way invite bids from SMSize Solutions Limited,” Mushambatwa said.
She advised all procuring entities not to enter into any other dealings with or communicate with the suppliers except in respect of existing contracts placed prior to this suspension.
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