Kathmandu, May 21

The government has made a second amendment to the “Security, Strategic or Defence Material Supply Procedure” which classifies security, strategic or defence materials into two groups.

Group ‘A’ includes all types of weapons like mortars, artillery mortars, guns, light machine guns, general purpose machine guns, bombs, rocket launchers, ammunition, tanks, aircrafts, helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, mine protective vehicles, guided missiles, telephone tapping equipment (legal interception system), unmanned aerial vehicles, armoured fighting vehicles and their accessories.

Group ‘B’ incorporates night vision devices, rubber bullets, pepper spray, gas guns, tear gas shells, gas grenades, jamming devices, and communication equipment like radio sets, antenna and repeaters. The procedure recently published in the Nepal Gazette requires security agencies to obtain prior approval of the Council of Ministers for procurement of the materials set forth in Group ‘A’. However, they may purchase the materials as referred to under Group ‘B’ by obtaining prior approval of the concerned departmental head.

“If the materials could not be procured in accordance with the provisions of the prevailing Public Procurement Act, the security agencies shall request the Council of Ministers for approval by mentioning the reasons. Upon approval from the Council of Ministers, they may procure the materials under this procedure,” it states.

As per procedure, the chief of security agency needs to form a procurement unit to prepare bidding and pre-qualification documents, procurement process and a list of renowned manufacturers or dealers.

The procurement unit submit bids to the evaluation committee, receives performance bond and carries out quality test of the procured materials. “The concerned security agency shall publish a public notice at least twice in a national daily and on the website of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, inviting renowned manufacturers or dealers for enlistment in the procurement process,” the procedure reads.

After carrying out an inquiry into the applications received for enlistment, the details of manufacturers or dealers selected for this purpose shall be provided to the concerned ministry. Security agencies need to prepare descriptions of materials and their cost estimates before procurement proceedings.