Government says solid-waste bidders move to indemnification stage on 6 November

VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs met solid-waste tender bidders on Thursday 5 November after they raised questions about results issued through Mercell tender software, according to the Government of Sint Maarten. The government said the meeting covered the evaluation process and next steps.

The government said each of the six parcels is evaluated separately and that bidders are not assessed by how many parcels they entered. A company could rank highest among compliant bidders for all six parcels, but the tender limits any allocation to two parcels.

According to the government, bidders selected for parcels will be invited to an indemnification meeting to discuss which two parcels they can manage. That meeting is scheduled for Friday 6 November. A verification meeting will then check whether the required equipment is available.

The government said the equipment-verification step was added after the 2021-2026 tender, when companies awarded contracts did not have all necessary equipment. It said bidders also asked about the software platform and the evaluation committee's points system, and that the minister would confirm how they will receive feedback on their submissions.

Gumbs said he had received information that bidders lost points because incorrect information was attached to their submissions. The government said the evaluation committee will provide bidders with specifics.