Bank guidelines do not make publication of Specific Procurement Notices in UNDB and DG market electronic portal mandatory for non-ICB processes. Para. 3.4 of the Procurement Guidelines stipulates that borrowers may limit advertising to the local press for National Competitive Bidding (NCB) processes. This feature --a standard one for years-- is actually the most salient to define NCB, and mirrors the above explanation regarding the setting of ICB thresholds. It basically reflects the position that foreign firms would not normally bid for NCB contracts given their value and nature. It is, however, important to mention that foreign firms cannot be barred from competing for NCB contracts and that borrower performance in this area is closely monitored by the Bank during project supervision.
Given the huge number of NCB transactions financed under Bank loans and credits, a change in policy would be very costly and a great burden on staff time. In addition, our experience is also that foreign bidders, especially for civil works, do not typically bid for such contracts, and that international advertising would significantly increase costs for borrowers without much benefit in terms of increased competition.
The Bank supports, however, through many projects and staff assistance and advice to borrowers, the establishment of E-procurement systems in our borrower countries, or at least the establishment of websites where bidding opportunities are posted. We believe that this approach, which greatly increases transparency in providing information regarding business opportunities to foreign and domestic firms alike, is the best way to enhance the functioning of domestic markets.
|
RSS