PN raises eyebrows over dubious requirement for 62-vehicle tender

The Nationalist Party has expressed its concern over a government tender that it says contains “strange and unjustified” conditions, claiming that these may have prevented bidders from competing fairly.

The PN was referring to public tender CT2000/2025, issued by the Department of Contracts, for the leasing of 62 plug-in hybrid vehicles for members of the judiciary.

In a statement, the PN highlighted that the Adjudication Board recommended awarding the tender to the highest bidder, whose offer totalled €5,996,950 excluding VAT, despite the submission of much lower bids.

According to the board, the winning bidder was the only company that satisfied a specific requirement that required the contractor to have earned at least €1 million in annual revenue from a single contract for two consecutive years.

The PN described this condition as “neither reasonable nor proportionate,” citing the Malta Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (MVRLA), which has also criticised the clause. The association said the requirement made it practically impossible for local firms to qualify, effectively excluding Maltese operators and leading to the selection of the most expensive offer.

It further warned that the case could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the public procurement process.

The PN has called for an independent review of the tender, insisting that the process must be transparent and equitable for all interested parties.