The Government procurement guidelines can lead to bizarre results, such as the purchase of foldable bikes at many times of the normal cost. Article.
It is better to have guidelines that allows discretion, common sense and responsible decision, rather than to follow rules blindly.
It is better to have guidelines that allows discretion, common sense and responsible decision, rather than to follow rules blindly.
4 comments:
If current Govt Procurement Procedure allow one bid to be successful, then I must raise a red flag.
Of course, all organisation can tailor their SOP to their "needs".
If they can live with it and ignore Best Practices by others and are private entities, fine.
NPark is not some one's private company. The Singapore Govt? Not sure how to classify it. Pardon my limited knowledge.
Simple question. Do Brompton’s offer good value? The answer is simply no. Let me put it this way – why don’t you saw your car in half and weld a hinge and see how well it performs. I’ve been riding bicycles for years- ridden around the world across the toughest conditions and terrain.
The summary is this: the most reliable geometry is still the standard diamond frame with standard rim size – it’s been around for the last two hundred years! The reason is simple, there is no mystery here, it’s a proven design used by everyone from commuters, postmen to soldiers who parachute out of planes with bicycles.
Besides, I don’t think it takes alot to punch a big hole into Shorty Kwan’s belief that NP signed off on the right bike – you see to win an argument sometimes, all you really need to do is focus on a few killer ”knock me dead” points like – Why was only 3 working days set aside for the quotation period? Hey are we talking about tax payers monies here or is it Kwan’s grandfather’s family owned corporation? Three working days is cutting it pretty thin and it should rightly sound off alarm bells - this should raise the obvious question: was procurement policies followed? If that is not enough to send Shorty down for two Panadols and the count – then why was the bid accepted by National Parks when there is only 1 bid from a company that doesn’t even have any core competencies in the bicycle business?
Will Khaw clarify further. Well I really don’t think so. As in the past his style of managing a fall out is to simply brush it aside and go right on as if it’s business as usual.
But I don’t think that can hold – like I said, I happen to know alot about bicycles. And I really don’t believe we have heard the last of the Bromptongate either. One reason for this is because Brompton fit their folds with proprietary components which are not off the shelve products – this can only mean when it comes to servicing these little Rolls Royces – they are going to run straight into a brick wall – as the firm who sold them these bicycles probably doesn’t even have a full time mechanic or inventory store that keep spare parts.
To top this, all this occurs in a climate of sombre austerity when most Singaporeans and residents are preparing to tighten their belts as they face a financial crunch as a result of the economic slowdown in Europe – and what does Shorty Kwan do? He splurges out on high priced designer bikes and worst thing is he doesn’t think there is any wrong with that – wonder no more why the government keeps saying that they are always short of money.
by Darkness 2012
Well, hey!..
If I am a staff at NP and my work requires me to use these, I would definitely say:
"wow"! great stuff man!.. finally a little respect for my job! I used to get cranky bikes mad in China and they squeak like mad! Not only that the gears always slip and when that happens my crotch...."
" .. and at last, being a singaporean means somethin.. my boss appreciates me!"
" I hope all this talk will not take away my one and only tool that makes me proud being a NP staff.. and I am already 50 years old!"
Let them keep the bikes.. but lets dry the directors up.. they can always find another job. ( they are neither low wage or PMET)
Did any of the MP raise this concern in parliament? $2,200 for a folderable bicycle? If they didn't, does it means all the MPs agreed to this decision? Then I believe all of them owns bicycles that cost 4 figures each because they can afford it and see no reason to question whoever in charge on this decision. Or maybe, they are so well paid that a bicycle costing 4 figures is consider peanut....
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