Unravelling the Complexities of the Passport Supply Tender

Unravelling the Complexities of the Passport Supply Tender

Passport Supply Tender Declared Void

Following last week’s declaration that the passport supply tender was deemed deserted, the Foreign Ministry has made an announcement that a new tender will soon be opened. This new tender will be aimed at finding a suitable company to assume the role of supplying passport booklets and visa labels. With the tender process already in progress, the Ministry’s Rotating Fund will be tasked with making a direct contract for the provision, formalization, custody, and distribution of passport booklets and visa labels at fixed prices without any readjustment formula.

State of Manifest Urgency

This decision has emerged under the state of manifest urgency declared last week, permitting this acquisition process to proceed without any bidding process. Domestic and international companies or individuals with the necessary experience and capacity in terms of logistics, technical, and financial aspects are being invited to seek information via email for the upcoming tender.

Controversy Surrounds the Bidding Process

The passport tender found itself embroiled in controversy due to the complaints voiced by several companies about the bidding process. Initially, 11 companies had expressed interest in the tender. However, over time, most of them withdrew their participation, alleging that the conditions of the bidding process were skewed in favor of one bidder, Thomas Greg & Sons of Colombia S.A, which has been the contract holder for the past 17 years.

Investigation and Suspension of the Process

In response to these complaints, the Ministry requested the Prosecutor’s Office to conduct an investigation. Consequently, in July of this year, the tender process was suspended for the first time. The Ministry reasoned that with only one company in the running, the most sensible decision was to declare the tender deserted. This decision was made in the same week that President Petro declared that his government would not entertain “tenders with one bidder” and stressed that their “fight against corruption is serious”.

The Stakes of the Tender

According to the Rotating Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the contract for the passport would have been worth 599,651,582,571 Colombian pesos. The chosen company would have been responsible for supplying, formalizing, and providing the service of personalization, custody, and distribution of passport booklets, alongside the printing, storage, and delivery service of Colombian visa labels with a mechanical reading area. Concerns are now mounting over which company will take up these responsibilities following the declaration that the tender was deserted.