SERHA defends billion-dollar contract award amid JACDEN's claims

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has defended its recommendation for the award of a billion-dollar contract for janitorial and portering services for two hospitals in Kingston.

The authority issued a statement on Friday, saying it was responding to comments in the media by JACDEN Enterprise Ltd, a company led by businessman and politician Dennis Gordon.

SERHA said both JACDEN and another bidder submitted proposals for services at Kingston Public/Victoria Jubilee hospitals and Spanish Town Hospital.

It said after an evaluation, SERHA recommended the other bidder for Kingston Public/Victoria Jubilee Hospitals and JACDEN for Spanish Town Hospital.

SERHA argued that awarding the contract to JACDEN, despite it being the lowest bidder, would have resulted in an additional cost of $300 million compared to the other bidder.

It said the analysis aligns with the Public Procurement Commission's (PPC) directive to ensure value for money in public contracts.

"This optimisation analysis demonstrates that awarding contracts based solely on the lowest bidder does not guarantee the best value for money," SERHA stated. "We are confident that due diligence was exercised in all aspects of the evaluation process."

SERHA said it "stands firmly" behind its recommendation to the PPC and awaits its endorsement.

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