The Central Procurement of Namibia (CPBN) is there to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the public procurement process and fostering a competitive environment that supports development and builds public trust. New Era’s journalist, Paheja Siririka (PS) engaged Johanna Kambala (JK), the CPBN’s Manager of Stakeholder Relations – dissecting procurement processes, public perception, bidding process, eligibility criteria, and more.. 

PS: Please explain in detail the role and mandate of the Central Procurement Board of Namibia. 

JK: The CPBN was established as a juristic person under the Public Procurement Act, 15 of 2015 (as amended). Its mandate includes conducting the bidding process on behalf of public entities for contracts that exceed prescribed thresholds, entering procurement or asset disposal contracts either on its own behalf or behalf of public entities, and directing and supervising accounting officers in managing the implementation of contracts awarded by the Board. 

PS: CPBN recently launched a public awareness campaign. Tell us more about this initiative. 

JK: As part of our commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive economic participation, the CPBN recently launched a public awareness campaign under the theme “Enhancing Responsiveness in the Bidding Process.” The campaign is designed not only to empower local businesses, especially emerging entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises, but also to educate the broader public about CPBN’s mandate and its procurement process. A key element of this initiative is the publication of a comprehensive Bidders’ Education Guideline. 

This user-friendly resource simplifies complex procurement procedures, clarifies compliance requirements, and provides practical guidance to help bidders prepare and submit responsive, fully compliant bids. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness of CPBN’s mandate and procurement process. By improving public understanding, we aim to build trust in the public procurement process and encourage broader participation by Namibian businesses. Ultimately, this initiative is about strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of public procurement while supporting economic empowerment and job creation. 

PS: Who initiates the procurement process at the Board?

JK: The procurement process at the CPBN is initiated by Public Entities when their procurement projects exceed their thresholds as prescribed in Section 8(a) of the PPA and Regulation 2 of the same Act, Public entities are categorized into three distinct groups. These categories outline the procurement thresholds for goods, works, consultancy services, and non-consultancy services that public entities can manage independently. Any procurement that exceeds the threshold of a Public Entity must be referred to CPBN for facilitation. The Public Entities initiate a procurement process at the CPBN by submitting the Individual Procurement Plan (IPP), Financial Certificate certifying availability of funds in terms of section 25 (4) (b), and a Bidding document. 4. 

PS: Who can participate in the CPBN bidding process? 

JK: The following individuals and entities are eligible to participate in the CPBN’s bidding process:  Entities owned by Namibian citizens, companies or close corporations incorporated or registered in Namibia, co-operatives registered under Namibian law, trusts registered under Namibian law, and partnerships or Joint Ventures of all of the above. 

PS: What are the equity ownership requirements for Namibian citizens in entities participating in public bids, and where can the specific eligibility criteria be found?

JK: In all the above-mentioned entities, Namibian citizens must hold at least 51% equity. However, it should be noted that all requirements on eligibility to participate in a particular bid are normally stipulated in the specific bidding documents. 

PS: Who evaluates bids at CPBN? 

JK: The bids at the CPBN are evaluated by independent evaluators with required skills and knowledge in a specific trade/industry who make up a Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC). The independent evaluators are members of the public and are not employees of CPBN. Members of these committees are appointed by the Board on an ad hoc basis in terms of Section 26 of the PPA. The BEC members are appointed from a database compiled from applications received from members of the public. Any member of the public who meets the requirements can apply to become a member of the Bid Evaluation Committee. 

PS: The is a perception that CPBN is responsible for the award of all government procurement contracts in the country, is this the case?

JK: The answer is NO. CPBN only manages and awards procurement projects that exceed the thresholds of public entities. In terms of Regulation 2 of the Public Procurement Regulations, of the PPA, public entities are categorised into three groups. Each category determines the threshold within which they can independently procure goods, works, consultancy, and non-consultancy services. When the value of a procurement exceeds the prescribed threshold for a public entity, such procurement must be referred to CPBN for facilitation. 

PS: Some bidders have been complaining that CPBN has been disqualifying their bids for not initialling the bidding documents. Why should bidders initial all pages in the bidding documents? 

JK: Initialling all pages of the bidding document guarantees the integrity of the signed document and ensures that the signatories have consulted and validated all the pages and that they are binding themselves to the terms and conditions. 

PS: Why is it important to promote competitive bidding in public procurement? 

JK: Competitive bidding is a cornerstone of effective public procurement because it promotes transparency, fairness, and value for money. It ensures that all eligible bidders have an equal opportunity to participate, which not only fosters innovation but also helps to curb corruption and undue influence. By encouraging open competition, the government is better positioned to procure quality goods, works, and services at the most reasonable cost. This process strengthens accountability in the use of public funds and reinforces public confidence in the procurement system. Ultimately, competitive bidding supports economic growth by opening opportunities for a wider range of businesses, including small and emerging enterprises, to contribute to national development. 

PS: How can bidders improve their chances of submitting responsive bids? 

JK: Bidding is a highly competitive process, and the success of any submission largely depends on the quality and attention to detail applied during the preparation of bidding documents. One key recommendation I have for all bidders is to make full use of the checklist provided in the CPBN Bidders’ Education Guide. 

This checklist is a practical tool that helps bidders ensure their documents are properly certified, all required information is included, and all necessary pages are duly signed as stipulated in the bidding requirements. Another important point is punctuality. We have observed that several bidders unfortunately disqualify themselves by arriving late to submit their bids. It is crucial to understand that CPBN enforces strict adherence to deadlines. All bid submissions must be received by 11h00 sharp on the day the bid closes. Any late submissions, even by a few minutes, are rejected without exception. Timely submission is therefore critical to remain eligible and competitive in the process.