Telecom has awarded the tender to compile and printing the new telephone directory to a set of unknown black empowerment companies for 5 years. The previous tender ran for 7 years and was held by African Directory Services, another BEE firm. The two successful companies have been invited for further negotiations to conclude a formal agreement in respect of their individual bids. The new companies are TDS Directory Operations and Pelican Investment. They will jointly produce the Telecom Namibia Directory from 2007 to the 2011/2012 issues. TDS Directory Operations has been awarded Tender solely for the compilation, supply, and delivery of the directory. Pelican Investment 7 has been awarded the Tender solely for the printing of the Directory for a period of five (5) years commencing with the 2007/2008 issue up to and including the 2011/2012 issue. However, Pelican Investment 7 does not have a printer and it will be interesting to see which local printer will get the tender or if the process will be outsourced to another country.
The tender in respect of the collection, transportation, and delivery of the Telecom Namibia Directory will be finalised shortly, Telecom spokesperson Oiva Angula said this week. Telecom Namibia reserves all rights pertaining to their selection, pending a separate written and signed agreement between itself and each of the two companies. The two companies were chosen because they submitted the most attractive proposals. These proposals adhered to the guidelines stipulated in the tender document and Tender Board qualifications as well as price the tender evaluation criteria included issues such as quality and proven ability.