The Dominican Association of Shoe Manufacturers (Adocalza) alleged this Tuesday, 4 February 2025 that the majority of bidders in the National Institute of Student Welfare (Inabie) tender for the manufacture and acquisition of school shoes are not actual manufacturers, which violates the Procurement and Contracting Law, Diario Libre reports.
Through a press release, the manufacturers association indicated that they have identified the participation of 51 bidders classified as manufacturers, of which only 20 are recognized as such by the association, meaning that 31 bidders, equivalent to 61% of the total, are not.
The Association said that Law 340-06 on State Procurement and Contracting establishes that government purchases should prioritize goods and services of national production and that bidders must have a corporate purpose compatible with the contractual object of the tender.
However, the corporate purpose of these “companies that have emerged suddenly” is not related to the production of school footwear, Adocalza says.
It also denounced that this situation undermines the national footwear industry, diverting awards to companies without real production capacity, jeopardizing the supply of school shoes in a timely and quality manner.
It also harms established companies, which have made significant investments in raw materials, machinery and equipment to meet Inabie’s demand.
It also demanded that Inabie conduct a thorough verification of the bidders classified as national manufacturers, accompanied by suitable experts provided by Adocalza, in order to rule out those companies that do not meet the legal requirements.
The Association calls for transparency and respect for current regulations, with the aim of ensuring that tender processes really promote the development and strengthening of the national industry and that the generation of employment and economic growth is not put at risk.
In response to questions from Diario Libre about the complaint, Inabie indicated that this tender has not yet been awarded to bidders and that at the time of awarding the contract, they will do so in accordance with the law.
“Once the procedural part stipulated by the law is concluded, legal and technical responses will be given in accordance with the established criteria to any concerns raised by the bidders and other interested parties in the process, always keeping in mind compliance with the institutional mission,” he said.
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Diario Libre
5 February 2025