Kenya makes yet another stab at ‘laptops’ procurement

From left, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi, his ICT counterpart Fred Matiang’i and Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion address the Press on the launch of the Digital Literacy Programme at Teleposta Towers yesterday. The Digischool brand was launched and showed the different kinds of machinery and equipment that will be accesible not only to students, but to teachers as well. [PHOTO: ANGELA MAINA/STANDARD]

The Government has kicked off a procurement process of devises to be used to deliver digital learning, with a stern warning to traders seeking to derail the plan.

Communication posted on Government websites details the description of the gadgets that point to possibility of purchase of laptops or tablets.

“The devise should have a display, keyboard, be user friendly and easily portable, withstand rugged operating conditions, have a long life battery with low power consumption and able to connect to wireless networks,” reads the communication.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has in recent past hinted at a shift from laptops to tablets to deliver the Digital Learning Programme (DLP).

The Government yesterday avoided making specific reference to the gadgets being sought, opting to call them ‘devices or accessories.’

The Government said only successful ‘institutions, consortia or joint ventures’ shall be informed of the specific details of the project.

“Following the Expression of Interest (EOI), the Information and Communication (ICT) Authority will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to short listed institutions/consortium/joint ventures only,” reads the document.

Following yesterday’s invitation of bids, it now looks certain that finally, primary school students will be able to access digital educational content as early as next month. Considered one of the campaign pledges that delivered President Uhuru’s Jubilee administration into office during the last general election, the presidential literacy programme has had several false starts delaying its implementation by two years.

Expression of interest

“Today we are putting out the expression of interest which is available online and we have structured the delivery of this programme in such a way that we ensure effective local participation from developers and institutions of higher learning institutions in the country,” stated ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.

The Government further warned suppliers and firms that will seek to scuttle the process through lawsuits as it has happened in the past risk having their licenses revoked.

“We’ve done this before but in the past a lot of time has been wasted by tenderpreneurs and briefcase companies who waste the time of government by frivolous lawsuits,” stated a visibly irritated Matiangi.

While briefing the press on the bid procedures, Matiangi said careful thought has been given to the procurement process and noted that persons keen to interfere with the process shall be bared from doing business in Kenya.

“We have taken great care in developing this programme. Attorney General Githu Muigai has advised accordingly and we do not want to be bogged down by vested interests,” said Matiangi.

Two years ago the Government issued a tender to supply laptops to primary schools, a tender that was valued at Sh24 billion. The Government was forced to shelve the project after it was marred by disputes. The disputes pitted several companies including Indian firm Olive Telecommunications PVT Ltd, Netherlands-based HPU and Haier of China against each other. The disagreements eventually led to cancellation of the tender by the high court in September last year.

The EOI document reads: “Selection will be in accordance with the procedures set out in the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005. The procuring entity may award the eventual contract(s) to one or a maximum of three institutions/consortium/joint ventures.”

Matiangi said interested institutions; consortium or joint ventures must provide information indicating that they are qualified to provide goods and related services for the implementation of the DLP.

Bid terms

Bid documents also suggests that interested firms must have an expanded mandate that will include delivery and installation of the devices, with an ability to develop local assembly capacity.

Matiangi yesterday said the EOI shall include teachers’ devises, learners digital devises, projectors and routers.

He said promotion of the local assembly plants, local manufacture of goods and services and enhancing job creation are some of the core objectives of the programme.

Under the expanded mandate, successful firms shall be able to supply, distribute and install the teacher and learner digital devices. And in each case, local assembly or manufacturing is a mandatory requirement.

The winning firms’ shall also supply, distribute and install Special Needs Education devices for learners with hearing and visual impairments.

“The scope of the assignment shall include supply, distribution and installation of content server and router devices, supply and installation of projectors

This application documents must be received on or before September 21, 2015 at 10.00 am,” indicates the communication.

Speaking yesterday when he also launched the DLP logo dubbed ‘digischool, Matiangi said curriculum guidelines have been completed. “In exactly four weeks time, content shall been uploaded on the universal platform,” said Matiangi.

He said two weeks from now, there shall be a digital content development conference.