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Two firms have been suspended from participating in public procurement for a period of one year for submitting false National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) compliance certificates.
The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) announced the suspension of Build at Home Investments Limited and Roofconnect Contractors and General Suppliers Zambia Limited in a statement on Monday.
ZPPA had, therefore, 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.
According to the ZPPA Principal Officer – Public Relations, Iñutu Mushambatwa, investigations instituted in October this year established that the two firms falsified compliance certificates in the aforementioned tender.
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“In October 2023, the Authority instituted investigations into the tender for the supply and delivery of building materials for the construction of a 1000-seater capacity examination hall at Mulungushi University following a complaint from a bidder.
“ZPPA established that Build at Home Investments Limited and Roofconnect Contractors and General Suppliers Zambia Limited falsified compliance certificates in the aforementioned tender,” Mushambatwa said.
Mushambatwa explained that the submission of false information in a contract or procurement process was contrary to section 96(b) of the Public Procurement Act No.8 of 2020.
The Act provides that a bidder or supplier shall be suspended from participating in public procurement where the bidder or supplier had provided false information in a bid or any other document submitted to a procuring entity in connection with a procurement process or contract.
The suspension, according to Mushambatwa, included any “successor in interest” including any entity which employs, or was associated with any partners, directors or other officers considered as successors in interest.
“The Authority wishes to state that the suspension does not in any way limit Build at Home Investments Limited and Roofconnect Contractors and General Suppliers Zambia Limited from performing outstanding contracts that were entered into before November 20th, 2023,” she said.
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