ISLAMABAD: A number of participating firms have raised questions against the skilled Information Technology (IT) Human Resources (HR) tendering process advertised by National Information Technology Board.
Sources said that NITB has received grievances from a number of companies with regard to HR outsourcing tender to ‘favorite’ the Company.
They alleged that the selection criteria have been specifically designed to ‘favor’ one of the potential bidders.
The NITB on May 13, 2023 had published a tender to acquire HR outsourcing services. The sources said that many bidders raised objections to the selection criteria in the pre-bid meeting which is openly meant for “one bidder.”
NITB a few days later, with certain amendments, again floated the RFP to complete the outsourcing process, the sources asserted.
Recently, the NITB on July 7, 2023 has completed the technical evaluation of bidders and one company obtained extra ordinary marks which cement the claim of other bidders that RFP prepared to give favour to some blue eyed company.
Sources said that the role of officials serving in the ministry of IT as well as NITB is dubious in all the process as they reportedly influenced the technical evaluation process.
It is pertinent to mention here that approximately 250 skilled IT resources, on the payroll of M/s SoloChoicz whose contract expired on June 30, 2023, are providing services such as running E Office besides handling internet or intranet related issues in ministries or divisions but due to incompetence of high ups of NITB, these resources have become “aliens” in important ministers including Prime Minister Secretariat.
Sources said that the NITB has been spending over Rs240 million on a yearly basis on acquiring HR outsourcing services.
It merits mention here that questions always arise over the tending process advertised by NITB and last year, the Ministry of IT had terminated the contract of one company when Transparency International raised concerns.
Sources said that a committee has been formed to address the grievances of companies which will soon give the report to high ups of NITB.
