Electrical importers demand fresh call for tenders

The Electrical Importers Association yesterday filed a judicial protest claiming that specifications in a tender document had been tailor made and targeted at only one electrical importer.

The association filed its protest against the Director of Contracts, the Director, Environmental Policy and Initiatives and the Attorney General.

It said it represented the commercial interests of its 10 members, all of whom imported and distributed electrical products. The Director of Contracts had issued a call for tenders for the supply of T5 fluorescent tubes and ballasts, on behalf of the Environmental Policy and Initiatives Directive. The association claimed that the specifications in the tender document were specifically aimed at one company in particular, and that, as a result, its members would not be able to compete on a level playing field.

The specifications for the number and type of equipment were tailor made for one company, and the association's members would not be able to offer alternative products that were equivalent, or similar, to the tender specifications.

Such action on the part of the authorities was in violation of the EU directive on public procurement, for the energy audit and market analysis that had to be carried out had been performed by the company the association was complaining of.

It concluded by calling upon the authorities to immediately suspend the tender adjudication process, and to annul the process.

It also requested the issue of a new tender, and held the authorities liable in damages.

Lawyer Michael Tanti-Dougall represented the importers' association.