Disabled get lifeline on tenders allocation

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can now breathe easy while applying for Government business following a clarification circular from the National Treasury on pre-qualification and bid bonds for the tenders.

The circular addresses the issue of double pre-qualification, which according to Disabled Business Owners Association (DBOA) Chairman Lumbi Wa M'nabea has been a tiresome process to the group.

"The registration process is vigorous. You are first pre-qualified by the National Treasury then  by the procuring entities," said M'nabea.

The process, according to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, will henceforth only be done at the ministry; given that the applicant has the required documents.

"This registration serves as pre-qualification and procuring entities are hereby instructed not to subject them (applicants) to any further pre-qualification," reads the circular.

The circular also provides for separation of tenders, which according to M'nabea comes as a relief to PWDs; given the unfair playing ground they are subjected with the other two target groups (women and youth).

The circular reads that advertisements should clearly state and separate the tenders targeting each group and that PWDs-owned enterprises must be awarded not less than 2 per cent of the 30 per cent set aside.

It further directs that of the three target groups, no category shall be awarded more that 50 per cent of the 30 per cent set aside.