Newly released tender documents show the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is requiring the successful contractor for a multi-million dollar pump supply contract to underwrite overseas travel for four WAF personnel to witness factory acceptance testing and observe pump operations — a stipulation that has drawn concern from at least one local industry representative.
The tender, which seeks about 100 submersible sewer pumps from a specified manufacturer, sets out that the contractor must cover all costs for the four staff members’ overseas trips. That includes visa application fees, return airfares, and accommodation of at least three-star standard, plus “other related expenses,” for a minimum of 10 working days not counting travel time. The documents also require WAF personnel to visit installation sites and manufacturer facilities to observe how the pumps perform in situ.
WAF has not told The Fiji Times whether the factory acceptance testing trip would take place before or after the award of the tender; the authority said it cannot comment on tender-specific matters while the procurement is live. In a statement accompanying the tender release, WAF said its procurement requirements are “guided by principles of sound governance, due diligence, and quality assurance” and that such provisions are “aligned with standard industry practice” where critical operational equipment is involved.
That explanation has done little to allay fears among some local suppliers. “Why should a contractor pay for such a trip that is related to a tender?” said a representative of a local company familiar with WAF procurement practices, speaking on condition of anonymity. The source warned the paid trips could be perceived as an inducement for WAF staff to favour the successful bidder in future contracts, suggesting the arrangement might amount to a “paid junket” and could influence approvals on subsequent, potentially much larger projects.
Industry practices vary internationally: it is common in some sectors for buyers to witness factory tests and inspections to verify equipment performance and compliance with technical specifications. Procuring agencies sometimes fund such visits, while in other arrangements suppliers bear witness costs as part of quality assurance. WAF’s tender documents and statement frame the requirement as part of technical due diligence to ensure assets are “fit for purpose,” but the authority’s refusal to clarify timing or oversight for the trips has amplified concerns about transparency and perceived conflicts.
The tender remains open and subject to evaluation, and WAF reiterated its commitment to “preserve the integrity, fairness, and propriety of the procurement process.” Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau did not respond to questions sent to him about the trip requirement or how WAF would manage potential conflicts of interest.
The disclosure comes amid heightened public sensitivity to official overseas travel and government spending on foreign trips, which have frequently been the subject of media and parliamentary scrutiny. As the tender evaluation proceeds, the issue is likely to draw further attention from other suppliers and oversight bodies seeking clarity on whether contractor-funded travel will be allowed before contract award, and what safeguards — if any — will be imposed to prevent real or perceived impropriety.
Leave a comment