USAASA'S RESPONSE TO THE DA'S ALLEGATIONS
The Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa [USAASA] is dismayed at the unfortunate and sensational statement issued by the Democratic Alliance questioning the validity of the set-top boxes tender process the Agency is currently embarking on.
For the record, on the 19th of September 2014, USAASA presented its state of readiness on the implementation of the Broadcasting Digital Migration project before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services. This presentation included the following:-
· Subsidy Qualifying Criteria
· Number of people to be subsidised
· Distribution model
· Tendering process
· Available funds
USAASA informed Committee members that, because of the magnitude of project and the interest that a bid of this nature would attract, it resolved to source the services of a four-tear consulting company to evaluate the tender so to avoid unfounded innuendos as demonstrated by the DA's allegations.
The Agency further informed the Committee that in the interest of time it thought it was prudent to initiate the tender process calling for quotation for both encryption and non- encryption set-top-boxes system.
USAASA was mindful of the fact that a Policy decision had not been concluded, but was concerned about its ability to meet the deadline of 17 June 2015 as set by the International Telecommunications Union.
In consultation with the Executive Authority, USAASA issued an invitation to tender that sought quotations for both control and non-control set top boxes. This was done to ensure that by the time a Policy Directive is finalised by Cabinet, time consuming administrative processes would also been concluded.
Tender Application process
In accordance with Clause 16 A.6.3 [c] of the National Treasury Regulations issued in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 as amended [PFMA], USAASA gazetted the bid on 21 November 2014 to close on the 19th of December 2014. The bid was further advertised on the Sunday Times of the 30th of November 2014. This tender was also available on the USAASA website.
As the closing date of the 19th of December 2014 was approaching, requests for extension were made by prospective bidders. The closing date was extended to the 6th of January 2015. Even on the extended closing date, USAASA was still receiving requests for further extensions from people who claimed to have had been closed by the time the extension was granted. This statement is probably commissioned by these disorganised business people.
Following relevant National Treasury prescripts of placing tender/bids on the Government Gazette and national newspapers like Sunday Times can never be viewed as ‘quietly gazetted' as alleged.
This unfortunate statement did not come as a surprise as we are aware that there are prophets of doom - within and outside government - that are hell bent at disrupting the government service delivery program. These people are so desperate to the extent of manufacturing baseless allegations.
USAASA holds no brief from any set-top-box manufacture! USAASA is transparent!
Issued by the Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa
Contact: Khulekani Ntshangase on 0xx xxx xxxx
Source : Ends /avb
Date : 06 Jan 2015 17:15
