Latest news with #TenderBoard
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
No contracts with firms not meeting Omanisation rates: Tender Board
Muscat: The General Secretariat of the Tender Board has issued Circular No. (2025/2), directing all ministries and government units subject to the Tender Law to refrain entirely from contracting with private sector companies that fail to meet government-approved Omanisation rates. As per the circular, government entities are required to take the following measures: A mandatory clause related to Omanisation compliance and the employment of the national workforce must be incorporated into all tender documents prior to issuance, following the official template provided. Before awarding any contract, entities must verify that the bidding companies meet the Omanisation requirements through the electronic tendering system (Isnad), which is directly linked to the Ministry of Labour's database. For international companies and institutions not registered in the Sultanate of Oman but participating in international tenders, compliance with Omanisation obligations will be monitored post-award and during contract execution, in alignment with the local content plan. The circular underscores the government's commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for Omani nationals and ensuring that public procurement supports the country's strategic workforce 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman bans government contracts for firms failing Omanisation targets
MUSCAT: In a sweeping move to tighten enforcement of its national employment policy, the Sultanate of Oman's Tender Board has made it mandatory for all private sector companies to comply with approved Omanisation rates in order to be eligible for government contracts. The directive, issued under Circular No. 2025/2, instructs all ministries and government entities governed by the Tender Law to refrain from awarding contracts to companies that fail to meet the stipulated Omanisation levels, marking a significant shift toward safeguarding jobs for Omani nationals. The circular, issued by the General Secretariat of the Tender Board, aims to ensure that the employment of Omani citizens becomes a non-negotiable requirement in public sector contracting. It instructs government bodies to include a clause related to Omanisation compliance in all tender documents before the tender is floated. This clause is to be inserted in accordance with the official format provided and must make clear that non-compliance with national workforce targets will result in disqualification from the bidding process. In a move that streamlines compliance and enhances transparency, the circular also mandates that government entities verify a company's adherence to Omanisation targets through the Esnad electronic tendering system. This verification is to be carried out prior to awarding any contract, with Esnad drawing real-time employment data directly from the Ministry of Labour. The integration of this digital system ensures that non-compliant companies are screened out at an early stage, minimising the possibility of circumvention. Further, the new rules extend to international companies and institutions that are not registered within the Sultanate but participate in tenders for large-scale or strategic government projects. While such companies may not be immediately subject to pre-award Omanisation verification, their compliance will be closely monitored post-award and during contract implementation. This oversight forms part of the broader local content strategy, which includes evaluating how effectively these companies contribute to Oman's workforce development and national economic goals throughout the lifecycle of a project. The Tender Board has called on all ministries and public sector units to fully comply with the provisions of the circular 'in the public interest,' underlining the importance of the directive in advancing national priorities. The move is aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places a strong emphasis on empowering the national workforce, enhancing economic sustainability, and reducing dependence on expat labour in key sectors. The policy is expected to significantly impact the way private and foreign companies approach public tenders in Oman, compelling them to prioritise the recruitment, training, and retention of Omani nationals as part of their operational strategy. Industry analysts believe the move will not only create more job opportunities for Omanis but also push companies to invest in long-term human capital development within the country.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman Tender Board mandates Omanisation compliance for contracts
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's Tender Board has issued Circular No. 2025/2, directing all the ministries and government units under the Tender Law to stop awarding contracts to private sector companies that do not meet the approved Omanisation rates. The General Secretariat of the Tender Board would like to inform all entities subject to the provisions of the Tender Law to take action regarding the complete non-contracting of private sector companies that do not comply with the Omanisation rates approved by the government, by doing the following: 1. Include the clause related to compliance with Omanisation requirements and the employment of the national workforce, according to the attached format, in the tender documents before the tender is issued. 2. Verify that companies meet Omanisation requirements through the data available in the electronic tendering system (Esnad), based on direct connection with the Ministry of Labor, before awarding the tender. 3. Compliance with Omanisation provisions for international companies and institutions not registered in the Sultanate of Oman will be monitored when participating in international tenders after the award and during contract implementation, as part of the local content plan.
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Nine firms compete for Sitra Central Market maintenance contract
Nine companies are competing for the contract to carry out maintenance work at Sitra Central Market, with bids ranging from BHD 136,000 to over BHD 352,000. The Tender Board opened the submissions, which were issued by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture. The tender covers civil repairs, mechanical and electrical work, fire alarm systems, and other maintenance tasks essential for the market's upkeep. Saraya Contractors Co. W.L.L. submitted the lowest bid at BHD 136,331.350, while Aqua Technology Transfer W.L.L. offered the highest at BHD 352,298.475. All nine bids have been accepted for evaluation. The contract will be awarded to the bidder that meets all technical and procedural requirements. According to the tender rules, companies must be classified by the ministry as building contractors graded E or above, or as maintenance firms ranked C or higher. Sitra Central Market serves local communities daily, and this maintenance project aims to keep the facility fully operational and well-maintained.
Times of Oman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Ambassadors' forum in Muscat to discuss decentralisation
Muscat: The first Governorates Ambassadors Forum will kick off on Tuesday under the sponsorship of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, and will be attended by Engineer Badr bin Salem Al Mamari, Secretary General of the Tender Board, and senior officials. The General Secretariat of the Tender Board will conduct this forum, being hosted in Muscat Governorate for the first time. This will be a part of a series of forums for the governorates' ambassadors, according to a prior plan supervised by the Secretariat. Specialists and professionals working in the fields of project management and administrative fields of various Oman governorates will participate in the forum, from between 20 and22 May. The theme of the forum is 'We are united by purpose', to promote institutional integration and exchange best practices in contracts and tenders, contributing to supporting the government's directives of decentralisation, empowering the governorates, and achieving balanced development in Oman. This programme includes an official opening session with welcoming speeches by Muscat Governorate and the General Secretariat of the Tender Board. This will be followed by specialised sessions and workshops reviewing the governorates' experiences in projects and contracts management, highlighting common challenges and their solutions. The sessions will be introduced with a workshop on 'The Contract Governance and Tender Book', discussing the enhancement of legal governance and achieving contractual balance in the government tenders management. A worksheet entitled 'Project Preparation Methodology in the Annual Plan' will be held to explain the methodological framework for planning projects and ensuring their consistency with national priorities, improving the resources' efficiency and implementation quality. This forum's programme includes a workshop entitled 'Documentary Course and Performance Platform', focusing on governance and reducing change instructions to enhance the efficiency of managing government projects, and concluding on the first day with two workshops on 'Local Content' and 'Price Indicators'. The first one highlights promoting local content to empower the national economy, while the second reviews the Price Indicators Department's role to follow and analyse prices in various governorates to support decision-making. On the second day, the programme will be complemented with a field visit to various vital implemented projects in Muscat Governorate. They include the Oman Botanic Garden, Sultan Haitham City, Al Ansab Street - Al Jafnayn and the Green Walk, to link theoretical aspects with practical application and strengthen exchanging field experiences. The forum will conclude on the third day with various specialised working papers delivered by specialists from Muscat Governorate and the General Secretariat of the Tender Board to discuss major directions and future opportunities in project management and government procurement. The forum contributes to enabling local cadres to enhance their skills and proficiencies, and support the governance locally. Thus reflecting the government's directives to achieve transparency and efficiency of government performance within the framework of national efforts for institutional development.
