• By Sostenus Wilherm
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has introduced revised procedures for the appointment of bid evaluation committee (BEC) members, in a bid to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficiency in the country’s public procurement system.
This was announced by Johanna Kambala the CPBN spokesperson who introduced stricter requirements and a more structured selection process for individuals tasked with evaluating public bids.
She said the board seeks to improve service delivery and uphold the integrity of procurement processes.
The reforms are grounded in the provisions of the public procurement act, 15 of 2015 (as amended), which empowers the board to appoint members of bid evaluation committees, including representatives nominated by relevant public entities.
In line with Section 26 (1) (a) of the Act, these committees are established on an ad hoc basis and are composed of members drawn from the public, rather than CPBN employees. Kambala maintained that the revised procedures are designed to ensure that only qualified, competent and trustworthy individuals are entrusted with evaluating bids, which is a critical function that directly influences how public funds are spent.
“These enhanced procedures ensure that individuals entrusted with evaluating public bids are well trained, possess the necessary technical expertise and are able to complete the evaluation process efficiently,” Kambala said.
Under the new requirements, applicants must hold qualifications accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority and provide a valid as well as clean certificate of conduct issued by the Namibian Police.
“Applicants must meet clearly defined standards, including recognized qualifications and a clean record, to safeguard the integrity of the process,” she stated.
In addition, all prospective BEC members will be required to undergo compulsory structured training and successfully complete a competency assessment before being considered for appointment.
“The introduction of structured training and competency assessments is meant to professionalise bid evaluations and ensure consistency across all committees.”
Candidates will also need to confirm their uninterrupted availability from the closing date of a bid, ensuring that evaluations are conducted without delays.
Once appointed, BEC members will be assessed on their performance in carrying out bid evaluations, introducing an added layer of accountability.
“The performance of appointed members will be monitored to ensure that evaluations are conducted in line with expected standards and timelines.”
The CPBN said the strengthened procedures consider the nature, complexity and technical specifications of each bid. This will allow the board to appoint individuals with the appropriate expertise for specific projects.
According to Kambala, public procurement plays a central role in Namibia’s economic development, with government contracts spanning sectors such as infrastructure, health, education and energy. The credibility and effectiveness of bid evaluation processes are essential to ensuring value for money and preventing irregularities, she explained.
“Requiring formal qualifications, vetting candidates through police clearance, and introducing training and performance assessments, the CPBN aims to professionalise the role of bid evaluators and reduce the risk of errors or misconduct.
Strengthening standards and enhancing accountability remains at the core of our mandate.”
The board also encouraged interested and qualified members of the public to prepare their documentation in anticipation of upcoming application opportunities.
“Interested and qualified members of the public are advised to prepare their qualifications and certificates of conduct, as detailed application guidelines will be published soon.”
