Third-party validation of Chromebooks purchase sought
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The government has instructed an independent third-party validation of the procurement process for refurbished Chromebooks by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
The government has amended the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules to allow the Ministry of Education to procure refurbished Chromebooks.
"An independent third-party validation must be incorporated into the procurement process, in consultation with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of procurement," a source said quoting a decision taken by the federal cabinet in a recent meeting.
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training had requested the PPRA to allow it the purchase of 200,000 refurbished Chromebooks for students of schools and colleges under the Federal Directorate of Education in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) from the open market as these were available at lower prices.
The ministry explained that various steps were being taken to renovate schools and colleges in ICT, including both infrastructure and technical upgrades, in order to provide quality education.
These steps included the upgrading of existing IT labs in ICT schools and colleges by providing latest gadgets, laptops, smart screens and Chromebooks. The ministry noted that providing new laptops and Chromebooks was a costly solution as some laptops cost over Rs200,000 and new Chromebooks were priced above Rs100,000.
This would place a heavy burden on the national exchequer. On the other hand, the refurbished Chromebooks, which had been specifically designed for educational purposes, were available locally at much cheaper and more affordable rates, around Rs50,000 to Rs55,000. The ministry assured the PPRA board that due procurement process would be followed in true spirit.
It was noted that the PPRA board, in its 83rd meeting held on October 31, 2024, considered the ministry's request. After reviewing the justification provided by the ministry and following detailed deliberations, the board unanimously resolved to grant exemption from the General Conditions of the Contract, Clause 18 of the Standard Bidding Document for the Procurement of General Goods under Section 21 of the PPRA Ordinance 2002 to the Ministry of Federal Education for the procurement of 200,000 refurbished Chromebooks in different tranches – through open competitive bidding.
The ministry was directed to develop generic specifications to ensure wider competition, in addition to other features such as performance, battery life, quality and design, and to insert a warranty clause in the contract document.
Section 21 of the PPRA Ordinance stipulates that the authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, recommend to the federal government that the procurement of an object or a class of objects in the national interest be exempted from the operation of this ordinance or any rule or regulation made thereunder, or any other law regulating public procurement. Upon such recommendations, the federal government shall exempt the aforesaid objects or class of objects from the operation of laws, rules and regulations made thereunder.
In light of the above, the recommendation of the PPRA to grant exemption from the General Conditions of the Contract, Clause 18 of the Standard Bidding Document for Procurement of General Goods for the procurement of refurbished Chromebooks (in different tranches) was presented to the federal cabinet for approval.
During ensuing discussion, the minister observed that the Ministry of Federal Education must ensure that the Public Procurement Rules 2004 were transparently followed in the procurement of Chromebooks. These Chromebooks must meet the highest standards and quality.
Additionally, an independent third-party validation must be incorporated into the procurement process, in consultation with the Ministry of IT and Telecom, to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of procurement.
The cabinet decided that the Ministry of Federal Education shall ensure that the Public Procurement Rules were transparently followed in the procurement of refurbished Chromebooks, which must be of highest standard and quality in their category.
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