The Government of Barbados (GOB) has received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) toward the cost of the Education Sector Enhancement Program, which is designed to help the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports implement an education reform to ensure that every individual is provided with the opportunity to achieve his or her full learning potential.

A portion of the loan proceeds will be used for the procurement of information technology equipment for schools throughout Barbados. Such procurement shall be subject to the provisions of the loan agreement between the GOB and the IDB.

For the purpose, the items have been grouped into lots and an acceptable tender would include any single lot, any combination of the lots or all of the lots.

The purchaser reserves the right to award less than all items in a lot.

Bids are invited from eligible suppliers from the IDB=s member countries for the supply and installation of the items.

All corporate bidders must include with their bids a copy of the company=s certificate of incorporation as evidence of the fact that the company is an existing registered company as of the date of bid. The certificate must be in the name of the bidder. Failure to provide the certificate of incorporation shall render the bid void.

Local bidders are advised that such certificate of incorporation means a certificate issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados, or where applicable, a certificate of continuance and/or a certificate of amalgamation, or a certificate or amendment. Certificates must be dated after 31 December 1984.

Any firm incorporated outside of Barbados, which is awarded the contract, will be required to be registered in Barbados as an external company under the Companies Act of Barbados.

Bidders should be aware that the provisions of the Labor Clauses (Public contracts) ACT: CAP349 shall, as they are applicable to the bid, apply to any contract made in respect of the bid. Full details of the conditions of the above-mentioned Act may be obtained from the Chief Labor Officer, at the first address below. Bidders should submit the certificate required by this act with their bid. A copy of this act and a compliance form are included in the bid.

The successful bidder(s) will be required to enter into a contract drawn up by B or in a form approved by B the Solicitor General or another legal officer in the public service approved by the Solicitor General. There must be a surety for the due performance of the contract by way of one of the methods below:

• A deposit with the treasury of a sum of money or approved securities to the value of no less than 10 per cent of the contract price
• A guarantee issued by a bank or accredited insurance company whose liability shall not be less than 10 per cent of the contract price. The cost of obtaining such a surety shall be the responsibility of the contractor who need not specifically make arrangements for such surety unless and until bid has been accepted
• Satisfactory personal sureties.

For goods and related services that the bidder will supply from within Barbados, bid prices shall be quoted in Barbados dollars, VAT inclusive). For goods and related services that the bidder will supply from outside Barbados, prices shall be quoted in Barbados dollars or not more than one freely convertible currency and must match the primary currency of that country (also including VAT) on all goods and services.

Bids will be evaluated in Barbados dollars based on the exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Barbados on the bid opening date.

Bidding documents may be obtained from the second address below, between 0830 and 1630 hours (Barbados time), Monday through Friday. Queries may be directed to the Education Project Implementation Unit. A non-refundable fee of BDS$ 100, or its equivalent in a freely convertible currency, must accompany each request for bidding documents. The method of payment must be in the form of a certified check or an international money order, made payable to the Accountant General.

Completed price schedules, the bid form and security must be submitted in sealed envelopes marked clearly ATender for the Supply and Installation of Information Technology - Phase 2 for The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports@, to the third address below, no later than 1630 hours (Barbados time) on Wednesday, 19 June 2002.

All bids must be accompanied by a security in the amount of 2 per cent of the bid price and be placed in the tender box at the Central Purchasing Department of the third address below. They will be opened at the same address, in the presence of bidders= representatives who choose to attend, at 1030 hours (Barbados time) on Thursday, 20 June 2002. Bids reaching the Central Purchasing Department after the closing time and date will not be considered. Late bids will be rejected.

No bid will be considered unless it complies with the conditions set out in this notice and the bidding documents. The GOB does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any bid.

Contacts:

1. Labor Department, Attn: Chief Labor Officer. 2nd Floor, National Insurance Bldg.. Fairchild St..Bridgetown, Barbados.

2. Ministry of Education Youth Affairs and Sports. Education Project Implementation Unit. Attn: Project Manager. Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Rd.. Saint Michael, Barbados. Tel: (1-246) 430-2890. Fax: (1-246) 437-8123.

3. Special Tenders Committee. Central Purchasing Department. Attn: Chairman. Fontabelle. Saint Michael, Barbados