Lack of a co-ordinated guideline for public sector purchases gave rise to widespread allegations of corruption and nepotism.

The WB had asked the government to approve the guideline as a condition for development support credit of $300 million. The guideline was supposed to be approved by February 8 this year but was delayed due to the government indecision.

The guideline will be applicable to any government organisation in procuring goods and services.

It will follow international standards for purchases in both development and revenue budgets. The government hoped that the regulations would lead to a level playing field in public procurement and tendering system, and improve efficiency of investment.

A consultative committee will also be formed with the participation of both public and private representatives that will advise the government in purchases and improving on the regulations.

The systems that have been accepted under the regulations are judging merits of all tender buyers equally, applying an open tendering system to select public works contractors, using a quality- and cost-based selection to pick advisers and selection under fixed budget.

It also outlines a restricted tender method in which listed contractors can participate in a public works tender. This would reduce tender cost and time taken in the conventional bidding process, a government handout said.

The authorities will be allowed to directly put their advertisements in newspapers, instead of giving those through the Department of Films and Publications.

Advertisements on purchases will have to be published in at least two most popular newspapers -- one Bangla and the other English. If a tender involves above Tk 1 crore, the advertisement will have to be posted on the website of the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) of the Planning Commission.

The authorities floating a tender will have to form a bidding evaluation committee with at least five members having required qualifications. At least two of them with procurement experience must be hired from outside. A technical sub-committee can be formed to help the evaluation committee in cases of special consideration.

Members of the bidding committee will have to submit two certificates -- one stating neutral evaluation and the other acknowledging all norms have been followed in picking the right bidder. Under no circumstances can consultants or bidders be hired on the basis of lottery, the handout said.

For the successful execution of the regulations, 21 standard tender documents will soon be made available to all concerned.

Moreover, from this month some 1,600 people will be recruited in phases and they will trained to run purchase or collection activities effectively.