Rodney tendering process questioned

The process for awarding Rodney District Council tenders was questioned by Councillors during a meeting on August 13.

Cr Dave Parker asked why only one company had been asked to tender for the two-year security contract.

Property manager Mark Johannsen said Metropolitan Security had been the provider for some years and given the uncertainties surrounding the Auckland Council amalgamation, it was considered best to retain the status quo. He said there were huge logistical issues involved in changing security firms such a keys, alarms, codes and access to premises.

Cr Pat Delich said anything over $100,000 should go out for tender. He said he was under the impression that the policy required that if a contract was not advertised, then three written quotes were required and that these would be available to Councillors.

“What we need is better transparency,” he said. “Any pre-selection of tenderers should be done in consultation with Councillors. Afterall, we’re the custodians of the ratepayers money. A number of ratepayers, and business owners in particular, have complained that they don’t think they are getting a fair chance to tender.”
Cr Grahame Powell agreed that the pre-selection of tenderers was an important one.
“As far as I am aware, Councillors are not present when tenders are opened – perhaps we should be,” he said.

Mayor Penny Webster said that she was getting the impression that some Councillors did not trust what was going on,

“We don’t,” Cr Suzanne Weld said. “There is an element of concern about the tender process.”

Cr Weld also asked for clarification on how gifts to staff were recorded.
To draw the discussion to a close, Cr Webster moved that a separate workshop be held on the tendering process.