The Government of Barbados (GOB) has received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (lDB) 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, the goal of which is to ensure that every individual is provided the opportunity to achieve his or her full learning potential. A portion of the loan proceeds will be used for the procurement of furniture for primary schools, which shall be subject to the provisions of the loan agreement between the GOB and the IDB.

Bids are invited from eligible suppliers from the IDB=s member countries for the supply of the items placed into the following lot, and an acceptable bid must include all items within the lot:

The purchaser reserves the right to award less than all items in the lot. All corporate bidders must include with their bid a copy of the company=s Certificate of Incorporation as evidence of the fact that it is an existing registered company as of the date of the bid. The certificate must be in the name of the bidder. Failure to provide such certificate of incorporation shall render the bid void.

Local bidders are advised that the above-referred certificate means a Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados or, where applicable, a Certificate of Continuance and/or of Amalgamation, or a Certificate or Amendment. Certificates must be dated after 31 December 1984.

All bidders should be aware that the provisions of the Labor Clauses (Public Contracts) ACT: CAP349 shall, in so far as they are applicable to the tender, apply to any contract made in respect of the bidding. Full details of the conditions of the Act, CAP 349 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 bidding documents.

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.

The successful bidder will be required to enter into a contract drawn up by or in a form approved by 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: (a) 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; or (b) 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 for obtaining such a surety shall be the responsibility of the contractor who needs not specifically make arrangements for such surety unless and until his tender has been accepted; or (c) satisfactory personal sureties.

For goods that the bidder will supply from within Barbados, prices shall be quoted in Barbados dollars (VAT inclusive). For goods that the bidder will supply from outside Barbados, prices shall be quoted in Barbados dollars, or no more than one freely convertible currency, and must match the primary currency of that country (VAT inclusive) on all goods.

Bids will be evaluated in Barbados dollars based on the exchange rate set 14 days prior to the bidding opening date. Queries may be directed to the Education Project Implementation Unit at the second address below.

Bidding documents may be obtained on the submission of a request to the same address, between 0830 and 1630 hours (Barbados time), Monday through Friday, and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of BDS$ 100, or its equivalent in a freely convertible currency, in the form of a certified check or an international money order in favor of the Accountant General.

Completed price schedules, bidding forms and securities, in the amount of 2 per cent of the bid price, must be submitted in sealed envelopes, marked AInternational Competitive Bid for the Supply and Delivery of Primary School Furniture for the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports@, to the third address below by 1630 hours (Barbados time) on Wednesday, 8 May 2002. Bids will be opened at the Central Purchasing Department, in the presence of the bidders= representatives who choose to attend, at 1030 hours on Thursday, 9 May 2002. Tenders reaching the Central Purchasing Department after the closing time and date will not be considered.

Bids must be placed in the tenders box located at the Central Purchasing Department. No tender will be considered unless it complies with the conditions set out above and in the bidding documents.

The GOB does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.

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

2. Education Project Implementation Unit. Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports. 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. Attn: Chairman. c/o Central Purchasing Department. Fontabelle, Saint Michael, Barbados