Publishing Of Tenders

Press, Volume C, Issue 29504, 4 May 1961, Page 3

Publishing Of Tenders

Sir, —The observations of the “Liberator,” as quoted in your columns, are most timely. For years I have been taking every opportunity to stress the concern of overseas manufacturers that government departments will not release price information. It ig undoubtedly true that New Zealand would benefit from a change in policy. The arguments raised in opposition discredit those senior engineers on whose shoulders lie the responsibility of making recommendations to the tenders committee. From personal knowledge I am confident that these engineers would not allow their technical and economic findings to be altered by any subsequent pressure which a disgruntled tenderer might endeavour to apply. Just as important as the release of prices is the inclusion of capitalisation formulae in specifications. This omission is absolutely incomprehensible to manufacturers. Space precludes any elaboration but suffice it to say that New Zealand would conserve exchange if departments included these data in specifications.—Yours, etc., B. R. HOMERSHAM. May 2, 1961.