probity authority

The Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) evaluates tenders and receives probity reports to assess compliance and irregularities.

“So , the BAC does its evaluation . ... The probity authority is brought in at that point ? ... Yes . ... The probity authority is brought in at that point ? ... Yes . ... Once it is done , it is presented to the BEC . The findings are presented and deliberated at the BEC . They are given an opportunity to make the necessary corrections . Once consensus has been reached between probity team and the BEC , then it is served to the BAC for further consideration .”

The probity authority is appointed by the City Manager and Chief Audit Executive.

“Appointed by the City Manager ? ... Yes , and the Chief Audit Executive .”

There was a conflict between the findings of the probity report which flagged irregularities in bidder number 2 from Vimtsire Security Services and the BEC report which cleared them, causing the BAC to refer the matter back to the BEC for further confirmation or correction.

“BAC has identified a notable difference between the final probity report and the BEC report . In this case , it was as a result of bidder number 2 Vimtsire Secure Services where that bid , from a probity perspective , said , nope , there are irregularities here . You should not award this . BAC says , no , we have had our interaction with the probity team . We have cleared this . But at BAC , they are not providing us with conclusive evidence that that has been dealt with accordingly . We refer that back for there to either be an official confirmation in the form of an addendum or a confirmation report from probity that , indeed , we had a discussion with BEC . We are now convinced that bidder number 2 from Vimtsire Security Service , for an example , is now compliant and should be awarded . They could have come back , Chair , and said , no , this bidder should not have been awarded . We have maintained our stance there . We did not find , we did not confirm one , two , and three issues , which means the BEC must ensure correction . Probity report , as part of our internal controls , is authoritative in nature .”

The probity authority flagged that bidder number 2 should not have been recommended because they failed to submit three years audited financials and they do not have a five-tonne truck.

“The probity authority has said this bidder should not have been recommended because they did not submit three years audited financials . And that is one . Two , this bidder should not have been recommended , should not have been recommended because they do not have a five-tonne truck , those two fact-based statements .”