Bidder Evaluation Committee (BEC)

Chairperson of BAC plays a role in influencing the bid adjudication process by participating in meetings and can reject BEC recommendations, but oversight is claimed not to be improper influencing.

“If you are a Chairperson of the BAC and you participate in each of those meeting where you are able to send things back to the BEC, then it means you can influence the process ... with respect, I would like to maintain the statement that I do not influence, but I play an oversight in terms of ensuring that all due processes are followed accordingly at the stage of the Bidder Adjudication Committee.”

The primary objective of a probity audit is to provide assurance that the work of the BEC adheres to all applicable supply chain management prescriptions, legislative requirements, and governance standards, ensuring the evaluation process is fair, transparent, consistent and compliant. The probity process includes identifying and assessing risks, irregularities, deviations and providing corrective recommendations to ensure full compliance prior to adjudication. Probity findings carry significant governance weight and must be fully addressed with due process or justified appropriately if disregarded.

“The primary objective of a probity audit is to provide assurance that the work of the BEC adhere to all applicable supply chain management prescripts, legislative requirements and governance standards ... The probity process further entailed identification and assessment of potential risks, irregularities, deviations and the provision for corrective recommendations to ensure full compliance prior to adjudication ... the probity findings and recommendations carry significant governance weight and are regarded as authoritative. As such, they are required to be fully addressed and resolved and cannot be disregarded or overridden without appropriate justification and due process within the applicable regulatory framework.”