AGRO-DEALERS SELECTION: STRICT EVALUATION CRITERIA

MBABANE – Availability of inputs will account for the highest score in the evaluation of prospective suppliers for the National Maize Corporation (NMC).

In an expression of interest (EOI), the National Maize Corporation (PTY) Ltd (NMC) seeks applications from suitably qualified local agro-dealers/retail outlets throughout the country for the supply of farming inputs as part of the government’s input subsidy programme expected to commence from September this year.
Government supports the input subsidy programme with a budget allocation of E40 million.

Requirements

The farming inputs required are fertilisers (all types), maize seeds, dry beans seeds, sorghum seeds, herbicides and pesticides as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The minimum requirements expected from the dealers/retailers include the certified copy of a valid trading licence, original/valid tax compliance certificate, certified copy of an official statement of the directors and alternative directors (Form ’) or owner/s in the case of unincorporated persons.

Also required is the certified copy of an official statement of the annual summary of share capital and shares (i.e. Form ‘C’ or equivalent) for incorporated persons and where applicable. Other documents include a certified copy of employers compliance clearance certificate, police clearance or affidavit of non-conviction for the directors or partners of the agro dealer.
According to the EOI, which has also been shared on the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA), the highest scores in the evaluation process would be for inputs availability and marketing strategy as an approved agro dealer (30 per cent each).

Footprint of the agro dealer in the country as well as approved certificate of analysis from the Ministry of Agriculture will each account for 20 per cent. The minimum technical score shall be 70 per cent.
“All applications should be, marked “SUPPLY OF FARMING INPUTS NMC EOI 20/001”and should be sealed on one envelope and addressed to The Secretary to the Entity Tender Board, National Maize Corporation (Pty) Ltd, 11th Street, Matsapha Industrial Sites, Matsapha,” reads the correspondence in  part.

Clarification

The application must be deposited in the tender box situated at NMC reception area by 4pm local time on August 7, 2020.
“Late proposals received by telegram, facsimile, email or similar medium will not be considered.
 “Requests for clarification, which must be in writing, should be addressed, via email, to Mr. Sifiso Dlamini at procurement@nmc.co.sz. The Corporation will strive to promptly respond in writing via e-mail to any requests for clarification up until close of business on August ,2020,” further reads the invitation.

Some farmers, on condition of anonymity, welcomed the evaluation criteria,  but felt the issue of footprint might be a challenge to meet  by most dealers.
Meanwhile, NMC is a fully state-owned enterprise that is also self-sustaining in that it does not draw subvention from the Eswatini Government. The corporation was established in 1985 in accordance with the Companies Act of 1912 and is currently involved in commodity trading in white maize, premium rice and sugar beans.

The control of the corporation is vested in a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister for Agriculture. The Corporation has been entrusted with key responsibilities that  include guaranteeing an all year round competitive market for  Eswatini maize farmers as well as reducing marketing barriers and costs by improving maize marketing and logistics services , among other duties.

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