Investigation of Global Fund Grants to Papua New Guinea Rotarians Against Malaria – Procurement and Supply of LLINs & Contracting of a Human Resource Services Provider
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Investigation of Global Fund Grants to Papua New Guinea
Rotarians Against Malaria – Procurement and Supply of LLINs
& Contracting of a Human Resource Services ProviderGF-OIG-13-022
31 August 2013 -
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A. Table of Contents
A. Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
B. Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………………………… 3
C. Message from the Executive Director of the Global Fund ……………………………….6
D. Background …………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
D.1. Global Fund grants to the Rotary Club of Port Moresby…………………………. 8
D.1.1. Specific Program Activities …………………………………………………………….9
E. Methodology ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 10
E.1. Scope of Investigation ……………………………………………………………………….. 10
E.1.1. Exchange Rate ……………………………………………………………………………. 10
E.1.2. Due Process ……………………………………………………………………………….. 11
F. Investigation Findings ……………………………………………………………………………… 12
F.1. Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
F.1.1. Conflict of Interest ……………………………………………………………………… 12
F.1.2. Management Fees ………………………………………………………………………. 12
F.1.3. LLIN Procurement ……………………………………………………………………… 13
F.2. Conflict of Interest …………………………………………………………………………….. 14
F.2.1. A senior executive of RAM participated in the award or administration
of a contract in which members of his immediate family had a financial interest .
…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
F.2.2. The Contract was not awarded on a transparent and competitive basis.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
F.3. HR Service Provider’s Management Costs are Excessive ………………………. 18
F.4. Procurement and Distribution of LLINs by RAM …………………………………. 19
G. Questionable or ineligible expenditures ………………………………………………………23
G.1. The Global Fund’s Right to Reimbursement …………………………………………23
G.2. Value of the winning bidder’s contract …………………………………………………23
H. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………24
H.1. Conflict of Interest ……………………………………………………………………………..24
H.2. Management Fees ………………………………………………………………………………24
H.3. Procurement of LLINs ……………………………………………………………………….. 25
I. Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………………26
J. Acronyms ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27
K. Global Fund Secretariat’s Response to Recommendations ………………………….. 28
L. Annex 1: Rotary Against Malaria (RAM) responses to OIG Report and OIG’s
comments. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………29
M. Annex 2: Expression of Interest …………………………………………………………………36
N. Annex 3: RAM Selection Committee Minutes …………………………………………….. 37
O. Annex 4: Current Extract For The Winning Bidder…………………………………….. 40
P. Annex 5: Winning Bidder’s Expression Of Interest ……………………………………… 45 -
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Investigation of Global Fund Grants to Papua New Guinea – Rotarians Against Malaria
Q. Annex 6: Losing Bidder’s Expression of Interest ………………………………………… 46
R. Annex 7: Winning Bidder – Contract Extension …………………………………………. 612
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B. Executive Summary
Investigation into R8 1. This report presents the results of an investigation by the Investigations Unit
Malaria grant of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of a Round 8 Malaria grant
disbursed to Rotary
Club of Port Moresby disbursed to a Principal Recipient (PR), the Rotary Club of Port Moresby
Incorporated (Rotary).
R8 grant was 2. In October 2011, the OIG undertook an audit of all Global Fund grants in the
implemented by Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) including the Round 8 grant
Rotary Against
Malaria (RAM) awarded to The Rotary Club of Port Moresby1 and implemented by Rotarians
Against Malaria (RAM), a project of Rotary Australia World Community
Service with projects in Australia, PNG, the Solomon Islands and Timor
Leste.2
RAM procures and 3. RAM is the implementer of Rotary’s Global Fund grant to procure and
distributed LLINs distribute long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) to every household in
throughout PNG
PNG and to train health staff in new diagnostic and treatment protocols.3
4. The OIG audit made six recommendations concerning RAM’s procurement
of a human resources company to manage its human resource requirements
and RAM’s procurement of LLINs.4
OIGs investigated 5. This investigation specifically looked at:
RAMs selection of
HR service provider Possible conflicts of interest in RAM’s selection of a company to provide
and RAMs human resource services;
procurement of
LLINs The appropriateness of the winning bidder’s charge for providing HR
services to RAM; and
RAM’s procurement of LLINs.
OIGs investigation 6. As set forth herein, the investigation concluded that substantive and credible
found that RAM evidence exists that two senior executives of RAM engaged in anti-
steered a contract to
a HR company competitive practice to direct a US$1.4m contract5 to a company controlled
linked to RAMs by the family of one of RAM’s senior executives, to provide RAM’s human
senior executive #1 resources services.6 The OIG concludes that RAM’s appointment of a
and that the contract company to provide human resource services was not done in a competitive
was not awarded on
a transparent and
and transparent manner, and did not provide a reasonable price for certain
competitive basis services provided. Furthermore, a conflict of interest situation between a
senior executive of RAM and his family member was not adequately
managed in the award and management of the contract. These issues should
be considered in light of Article 18 (procurement practices) and Article 21
(conflict of interest) of the Global Fund Program Grant Agreement.
The Chairman of 7. The investigation also found that the chairman of the RAM selection
RAMs committee committee, senior executive #2 had a conflict of interest when he
that awarded the HR
contract had a participated in the assessment of the bids for this human resources contract:
conflict of interest
The business address of the human resources company (the winning bidder),
recorded in a current company extract, is a law firm of which one of RAM’s
senior executives (executive #2) who also the chairman of RAM’s selection1 Global Fund grant PNG-809-G06-M ‘Malaria Control in Papua New Guinea: Scaling up for impact’
2 http://www.ramaustralia.org/
3 Further details about RAM can be found at: http://www.rotary9600.org/ram/aboutusa.html
4 OIG Audit Report No: GF-OIG-10-004 ‘Audit of Global Fund Grants to the Independent State ofPapua New Guinea’ – 5 July 2012 Recommendations 27-32.
5 Actual cost was US$ 1,227,046 (PGK 3,257,570)
6 Human Resource Service Agreement between Rotarians Against Malaria and the winning bidder,dated 1/10/2009.
3
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committee that awarded the HR contract, was a principal at the time of this
procurement.
It was also discovered that two senior partners of the law firm were
shareholders of the winning bidder at the time of this procurement.
Further, minutes of the selection committee regarding the selection of the
human resources provider were false, in that the minutes stated “the only
expression of interest that met with the complete range of services that RAM
was seeking was that from XXX (the winning bidder),” but the chairman of
RAM’s selection committee (and senior executive #2 of RAM), when
interviewed, admitted that another bidder’s tender clearly met RAM’s
requirements.
The management 8. The OIG investigation found that out of the total contract payment to the HR
fees charged by the service provider of US$ 1,227,046 (PGK 3,257,5707), the total salary cost was
winning bidder were
substantially more US$ 760,935 (PGK 2,007,745). This leaves US$ 473,684 (PGK 1,249,825) for
than the losing overheads i.e., 62.3% of total salary cost.
bidder
9. OIG’s review of a rival bid, that met RAM’s advertised Expression of Interest
(EOI) requirements, revealed a total contract price of US$771,890 (PGK
2,036,650) comprising of US$ 671,209 (PGK 1,771,000) for total salary costs
and US$100,681 (PGK 265,650) for overheads i.e., 15% of total salary cost.
RAM’s appointment 10. On review of the evidence, RAMs decision to appoint the particular HR
of the winning service provider resulted in additional costs of US$359,543 (PGK 948,663)
bidder cost the grant
US$359,543 in to the grant.
additional 11. The investigation also found that RAM’s procurement of LLINs complied
management fees
with the requirements of its Grant Agreement with the Global Fund (Article
OIGs investigation
into RAMs
18 & Article 19). RAM invited bids from the five manufacturers of LLINs
procurement of recommended by the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation
LLINs found that Scheme (“WHOPES-recommended”) and chose a WHOPES approved
RAM complied with polyester LLIN in order to make substantial savings on shipping costs.
Grant Agreement RAM’s procurement was transparent and obtained a very competitive price
requirements
from the chosen supplier, Vestergaard Frandsen.
12. As a result of its investigation, the OIG made a recommendation in August
2011 to the Global Fund Secretariat, that the Secretariat:
OIG recommends At the expiration of RAM’s contract with the current human resources
that PR re-tender the
HR services contract
provider, which has been extended to 31 December, 2011 (Annex 6), in line
upon its expiry with the extension of phase 1 of the Global Fund Grant, require RAM to re-
tender the contract for human resource services for phase 2.8
OIG recommends Seek recoveries from RAM in relation to the contract with the current human
the Global Fund seek
recovery from the PR
resources provider, notably taking into account the difference between the
management fee charged by the human resources provider and the
management fee contained in the budget estimates in the bid submitted by a
rival bidder.
OIG recommends an Require that no person within Rotary or RAM with any connection to the
impartial selection
panel
current human resources provider be involved in the selection process to any
degree, including receiving or opening the tenders and that the process be via
sealed tender, opened by the RAM selection committee.7 Forex conversion rate used (1 US$ = 0.379 PGK) is as indicated by RAM which is the rate of exchange
when fund (USD) was converted to Kina
8 Telephone call and email between OIG and PNG Fund Portfolio Manager dated 26 Aug 2011.4
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PR to engage in fair, Require that RAM engages in fair, transparent, ethical and proper
transparent and
ethical procurement
procurement practice in all procurement, as per RAM’s Procurement and
practice Supply Management Plan and RAM’s Procurement Manual.
13. The Secretariat via a management letter to the PR dated 2 April, 2012, began
the implementation of a number of the OIG’s recommendations including:
the LFA to conduct an annual review of the HR fees each year, and that the
PR re-tender the HR service provider contract during 2012. The Secretariat
also ensured that no conflict of interest existed during the 2012 selection
process by closely monitoring the process and ensuring the LFA sat on the
selection panel as an observer.5
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C. Message from the Executive Director of the Global Fund
6
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7
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E. Methodology
E.1. Scope of Investigation
OIG investigates 18. The OIG Investigations Unit is responsible for conducting investigations of
misappropriation misappropriation and mismanagement of Global Fund grant funds by PRs,
and mismanagement
of grant funds SRs, (collectively, “grant implementers”) Country Coordinating Mechanisms
(CCMs), Local Fund Agents (LFAs), as well as third party vendors.Investigation focused 19. This investigation focused on a Round 8 Global Fund Malaria grant to PNG.
on R8 Malaria Grant Pursuant to this grant, a total of US$54,730,77511 was awarded to Rotary, as
implemented by the PR, in order to fund the procurement and distribution of LLINs
Rotarians Against throughout PNG and to train health staff in new diagnostic and treatment
Malaria (RAM)
protocols.12 Rotary implemented the grant through one of its project
committees RAM, activity program formed with the goal of the “prevention
of mortality and a reduction in morbidity and social and economic loss
caused by malaria through a progressive improvement and strengthening of
local and national capabilities in malaria control.”13 RAM is governed by a
National Committee comprised of a senior executives and PNG and Solomon
Island liaison positions, all held by Rotary Club Past District Governors and a
Scientific Advisory Committee liaison position.14
Investigation focused 20. This investigation focused on RAM’s selection of a particular company to
on RAM’s selection provide human resource services, the amount charged by the selected
of a HR service
provider associated company to RAM for these services, and RAM’s procurement and
with RAM’s senior distribution of LLINs in association with its Round 8 Global Fund Grant.
executive #1
21. The OIG investigation included, but was not limited to, an in-country
investigation mission from 30 May to 17 June 2011, during which relevant
documents were obtained and reviewed and key witnesses interviewed. The
purpose of the investigation was to identify: (a) the process undertaken by
RAM to select the winning bidder to provide its HR services; (b) the amount
and nature of costs charged to RAM by the winning bidder for providing HR
services; (c) the procurement process undertaken by RAM regarding the
purchase of LLINs; and (d) whether the LLIN procurement represented best
value for money.E.1.1. Exchange Rate
22. This report describes amounts in United States Dollars (US$), with the
corresponding amount in PNG Kina (PGK) being noted where appropriate,
for ease of reading. The following two calculations are used in this report:
With regard to RAM’s LLIN procurement the exchange rate from PGK to
USD has been set as the average of the exchange rate on the first day of each
month from the period of 1 November 2009 to 1 November 2011 (Phase 1 of
the Global Fund grant): PGK 2.11 to US$1.
With regard to RAM’s contracting of a HR services provider, the exchange
rate from PGK to USD has been calculated as PGK 0.379 to US$1. This is
based on the ‘rate from ANZ when fund (USD) converted to Kina’ provided
by RAM to the Global Fund.11 US$23,112,615 in phase 1 (1 Nov 2009 – 31 Oct 2011) and US$31,618,160 in phase 2 (1 Nov 2011-31
Oct 2014)
12 Global Fund Grant: PNG-809-G06-M
13 http://www.rotary9600.org/ram/index.html
14 http://www.rotary9600.org/ram/aboutusa.html10
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E.1.2. Due Process
Global Fund 23. Prior to this report’s publication on the OIG’s website, a copy of this report
Secretariat, LFA, was made available to the relevant entities for comment, including RAM, the
CCM and PR had
opportunity to PNG CCM and the Global Fund Secretariat, consistent with the procedures of
review and comment the Global Fund and the due process requirements of the OIG.
on OIG’s findings
24. Comments received in response to the draft report are reflected in a Table,
appended to the report as an Annex (Annex 1), along with the OIG’s reply to
the comments.11
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F. Investigation Findings
F.1. Overview
F.1.1.Conflict of Interest
Investigation found 25. As set forth herein, the investigation found that substantive and credible
that RAM’s senior evidence exists that a senior official of RAM participated in procurement
executive #1
participated in a process that resulted in the award of a US$1.4 m15 contract to a company to
procurement process “provide a complete Human Resource service.”16 Between 1999 and 2007, the
that awarded a US$ same senior official was the majority shareholder of the company awarded
1.4 m contract to a the contract and at the time of this procurement the senior official’s wife and
company whose
directors included
two sons were directors of the company.17 At the time of this procurement the
his wife and two sons principal place of business and registered office of that company, recorded in
a then current company extract, was a legal office of which the chairman of
the selection committee that awarded the contract was a principal.
Investigation found 26. The OIG concludes that RAM’s appointment of the HR service provider was
that the selection of not competitive and transparent, and did not provide a reasonable price for
the winning bidder
was not transparent certain services provided. Furthermore, a conflict of interest situation
between a senior executive of RAM and his family member was not
adequately managed in the award and management of the contract, as
mandated by Article 18 (procurement practices) and Article 21 (conflicts of
interest) of the Global Fund’s Program Grant Agreement with Rotary. RAM’s
senior executive #1, although excluding himself from the selection
committee, participated in part of the process in which his immediate family
had a financial interest. After the contract was awarded, RAM’s senior
executive #1 signed the contract with the winning bidder on behalf of RAM,
and his son signed the contract on behalf of the winning bidder.
27. Despite the investigative findings of serious issues regarding the selection
process involving the particular HR service provider, the investigation did
not find any issues regarding the company’s provision of HR services to
RAM. The HR service provider was found to be delivering an effective and
professional human resource service to deliver RAM’s LLIN survey and
distribution program as per their contract.F.1.2.Management Fees
28. The investigation also examined the cost of RAM’s contract with the HR
service provider. The investigation found that the cost of the provider’s HR
service to RAM was US$ 1,227,046 (including GST of US$ 57,267). Review of
the program revealed that an additional two positions were recruited for in
May 2011, and filled in June 2011. These additional positions were financed
under the original contract amount.15 Actual cost of contract to RAM was US$ 1,227,046
16 Human Resource Service Agreement between Rotarians Against Malaria and the winning bidder,
dated 1/10/2009.
17 Company Extract for the winning bidder as at 25 February, 2011.12
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The HR service 29. This investigation found that out of the total contract payment to the HR
provider selected by service provider of US$ 1,227,046 (PGK 3,257,57018), the total salary cost
RAM was
significantly more was US$ 760,935 (PGK 2,007,745). This leaves US$ 473,684 (PGK
expensive than the 1,249,825) for overheads – 62.3% of total salary cost. OIG’s review of a rival
losing bidder bid that met RAMS advertised EOI requirements revealed a total contract
price of US$771,890 (PGK 2,036,650) with a total salary cost of US$ 671,209
(PGK 1,771,000), leaving US$100,681 (PGK 265,650) for overheads – 15% of
total salary cost. RAM’s decision to award the HR contract to the winning
bidder unnecessarily cost the grant US$ 359,543 in management fees.
30. On the evidence reviewed by the OIG, RAM’s decision to appoint the more
expensive provider resulted in management fees of US$359,54319 (PGK
948,663) more being paid over the two year period of the contract than
would have been paid had the cheaper bid been accepted.F.1.3.LLIN Procurement
OIGs investigation 31. The investigation into RAM’s procurement of LLINs found that although
into RAM’s RAM did not employ normal practice for such a major procurement (seeking
procurement of
LLINs found that ‘sealed bids’ against deadlines, with public opening of the bids) the process
RAM’s procurement undertaken by RAM followed the procurement practices articulated in the
complied with its relevant Grant Agreement.20 RAM, via its senior executive #1, requested ‘best
Grant Agreement prices’ from five WHOPES approved suppliers21 via a series of emails.22 This
with the Global Fund
process was undertaken prior to RAM drafting and submitting to the Global
Fund, as required under Article 18 (a)(i) of the Program Grant Agreement,
‘written procurement policies and practices’.23 RAM’s senior executive #1
stated that he engaged in this practice with the best of intentions, as he
considered it to be normal business practice in the private sector.
RAM paid a very 32. The investigation found that RAM obtained a very competitive price from the
competitive price for successful bidder, Vestergaard Frandsen, and paid “No more than a
LLINs
reasonable price” as obligated under Article 18 (a) (vi) of the Program Grant
Agreement. OIG bases this conclusion on the comparison of data provided in
USAID’s “LLIN Market and Data Analysis” of the average unit price on an ex-
works basis per material of LLINs procured, along with publicly available
data in the Global Fund’s Price Quarterly Reporting (“PQR”) Mechanism, a
web-based price and quality reporting tool used by the Global Fund to collect
transaction level procurement information from PRs on key health products
(including LLINs).2418 Forex conversion rate used (1 US$ = 0.379 PGK) is as indicated by RAM which is the rate of exchange
when fund (USD) was converted to Kina
19 Applying the same percentage (15%) for management fees on the winning HR provider’s salary cost,
20 Article 18 ‘Contracts for Goods and Services’ and Article 19 ‘Pharmaceutical and Other HealthProducts’ of Global Fund Grant Agreement PNG-809-G06-M
21 WHO approved suppliers: Vestergaard; Sumitomo; BASF; Bestnet and Clarke, as detailed in thedocument ‘President’s Malaria Initiative – Technical Guidance On The Prevention And Control Of
Malaria
22 Series of emails from senior executive #1 (RAM) to: Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd; Clarke Mosquito;Bestnet (INTECTION) and Vestergaard-Frandsen, between April and August 2009.
23 Procurement Manual For Rotarians Against Malaria Global Fund Round 8 Malaria (p.7) – 1 Sept2009.
24 USAID Deliver Project ‘Long-lasting Insecticide-Treated Net Market and Data Analysis – 2011Addendum’ available at
http://deliver.jsi.com/dlvr content/resources/allpubs/guidelines/LLIN StudyAddend.pdf; PQR
FAQ’s available at: http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-
ab&q=what+is+the+global+fund+pqr&oq=what+is+the+global+fund+pqr&gs_l=hp.12..0i22.1306.529
9.0.6888.27.14.0.0.0.0.595.4518.4-4j5.9.0…0.0…1c.ENH3v9x-
ydk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r gc.r pw.r qf.,cf.osb&fp=2da9510a5f9e2392&biw=1264&bih=90413
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33. Analysis of the publicly available Global Fund PQR data revealed that RAM,
under its R8 Grant Agreement, purchased a total of 3,182,950 LLINs
between December 2009 and March 2012. RAM’s average unit cost of the
LLINs purchased between December 2009 and January 2011 (2,172,850
LLINs) was US$3.67. This is almost US$1.00 less than the USAID reported
average unit cost between 2009 and 2011 of US$4.60.
RAM saved grant 34. The investigation also found that in addition to the competitive price
funds by keeping obtained for the supply of the LLINs, RAM saved grant funds by ensuring
shipping costs to a
minimum that shipping costs were kept to a minimum by purchasing polyester rather
than polyethylene LLINs, and by arranging their own shipping rather than
having Vestergaard-Frandsen provide this service.F.2. Conflict of Interest
F.2.1.A senior executive of RAM participated in the award or
administration of a contract in which members of his
immediate family had a financial interest
35. According to RAM’s “Terms of Reference for External HR Company” that
were drafted after the OIG audit:25
Under the Round 8 Malaria Programme RAM had a requirement to recruit
some 25 to 30 additional staff. RAM had no capacity to do this so a decision
was made during the preparation of the proposal to outsource the total HR
requirements of the programme and for RAM to have nothing to do with HR
other than to instruct the chosen supplier in RAM’s needs, both initial and
ongoing, and to pay for the service on a monthly basis. This meant that the
chosen HR supplier would recruit and manage all of the staff needed by RAM
to carry out its contractual obligations to the Global Fund. The selection of a
HR company was done by an initial advertising of an “Expression of Interest”
(EOI) over several days and in both national daily newspapers. A committee of
Rotarians worked through the EOI’s received and came up with a shortlist of
three. The current HR Supplier was selected by the committee to provide the
services in Phase 1 of the Round 8 Malaria Programme for RAM.
RAM’s chairman was 36. The OIG found that a senior executive of RAM (senior executive #1) was
involved in a involved in the procurement process that resulted in the award of a two-year
procurement process
that awarded a US$1.4m contract to a company with connections to his own family, to
family company a provide HR services. Although the senior executive recused himself, during a
US$ 1.4 m contract committee meeting of RAM held on 30 March 2009, from the evaluation of
to provide HR the expressions of interest received for the provision of accounting services
services
and human resource services, OIG found that the senior executive was the
addressee for the expressions of interest (Annex 1) and opened the EOIs
received prior to the meeting, as indicated in the minutes of the meeting
(Annex 2):26
The senior executive passed around a photocopy of each of the applications
together with a blank cover page for all members to note their comments on
after reading the particular expressions of interest received. The senior
executive also commented that with respect to the HR companies one of the
companies that had tendered XXX was owned by his son. Accordingly he would
have a conflict of interest and therefore he would not be involved in deciding on
the HR company. The members agreed to this approach.25 RAM’s “Terms of Reference for External HR Company.”
26 Excerpt from Minutes of RAM Committee held on 30 March 2009.14
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received an approximate gross fortnightly salary of PGK 1,698.46 (US$805)
billed to RAM under the HR contract.30
Article 21. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; ANTI-CORRUPTION
(a) Standards of Conduct. The Principal Recipient shall maintain and enforce
standards of conduct to govern the performance of persons affiliated with the
Principal Recipient or any Sub-recipient (for example, directors, officers,
employees or agents) engaged in the award and administration of contracts,
grants, or other benefits using Grant funds to ensure that such persons do not
engage in any practice set forth in paragraph (b) below.
(b) No corruption. The Principal Recipient shall not, and shall ensure that no
Sub-recipient or person affiliated with the Principal Recipient or any Sub-
recipient:
1. Participate(s) in the selection, award or administration of a contact, grant or
other benefit or transaction funded by the Grant, in which the person, members
of the person’s immediate family or his or her business partners, or
organizations controlled by or substantially involving such person, has or have a
financial interest;F.2.2.The Contract was not awarded on a transparent and
competitive basis.
The chairman of 42. At the time of the contract award, RAM’s senior executive #2 was chairman
RAM’s selection of RAM’s selection committee and he was a senior partner of a law firm listed
committee had a
conflict of interest as the principal place of business and business address of the winning
that was not declared bidder. The chairman of RAM’s selection committee did not declare this
conflict of interest during the committee meeting. Although having no
financial interest in the matter, the chairman of RAM’s selection committee
had a business relationship with the winning bidder and two partners of the
law firm were shareholders of the company that won the bid. Given these
facts, the RAM’s senior executive #2 should not have been on the selection
committee.
The selection 43. The committee minutes also state that “the only expression of interest that
committee’s minutes met with the complete range of services that RAM was seeking was that from
were false
XXX (the winning bidder).” The OIG investigation found this statement to be
false. Investigators obtained and reviewed the five expressions of interest
received. It is clear from the 20 page document submitted by one of the rival
bidders (Annex 5), that this firm did in fact meet with the complete range of
services that RAM was seeking. When interviewed concerning the rival
bidder that met RAM’s requirements, the chairman of RAM’s selection
committee stated that “XXX (the rival bidder) did provide a good submission
that fulfilled the EOI requirements.”31 The investigation found that RAM had
no valid reason to reject the EOI submitted by one of the rival bidders at the
committee meeting on 30 March 2009 and that they should have remained
in contention.
44. On 15 June, 2011, OIG investigators interviewed the chairman of RAM’s
selection committee member and at that time RAM’s senior executive #2
regarding the procurement process used to select and appoint the winning
bidder to provide RAM’s HR services.32 He stated that:3330 XXX (the winning bidder) Payroll Summary Reports
31 OIG interview of senior executive #2 at Port Moresby on 15 June, 2011.
32 Senior executive #2 was appointed to his position at RAM on 7 November 2011.16
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Rotary and RAM are service organizations that do not engage employees
directly.
RAM was conceived in 1997 and with a grant from AusAID, initially acting as
a procurement agent, purchasing LLINs and then selling them at cost to
various organizations such as mining companies, plantations, oil and gas
companies, provincial governments and the health department. These buyers
took responsibility for distribution of the LLINs. RAM’s proceeds were used
to purchase more LLINs.
In Round 3, the NDoH was the PR for LLIN distribution. Due to insufficient
logistic capacity, NDoH was unable to distribute the LLINs at the village
level. The NDoH suggested that RAM submit a proposal to the Global Fund,
to be the PR for LLIN procurement and distribution for Round 8. The
process took about 12 months before the grant was signed. RAM’s chairman
was heavily involved in this process, spending many hours of his own time.
RAM’s contact within the NDoH was XXXX.
RAM recognized that distribution of LLINs throughout PNG under Round 8
would have to be outsourced.
An EOI was drafted by himself and RAM’s senior executive #1 for accounting
and human resource services. The EOI was initially advertised in 2008, but
due to the length of the Global Fund grant process (Round 8), was re-
advertised in a PNG national newspaper on 9 February, 2009. The contact
officer for the EOI was RAM’s Chairman.
They were told by the Global Fund that they needed to be careful to minute
meetings and decisions related to the process of selection.
Five EOIs to provide RAM’s human resource requirements were received.
He personally knows the manager of one of the bidders, who is the son of
RAM’s senior executive #1.
A RAM committee reviewed the EOIs received for both the accounting and
human resource services. The committee was comprised of RAM’s senior
executive #1, RAM’s senior executive #2, and three others.
RAM’s senior executive #1 provided the committee with a binder of all the
EOIs received and also provided each committee member with copies of all
the EOIs.
The committee first reviewed the EOIs for the provision of accounting
services. which had submitted an EOI for both accounting and
human resource services, was considered the most suitable applicant for
accounting services and was therefore not eligible for consideration of
provision of human resource services.
Prior to the committee reviewing the EOIs received for the provision of
human resource services, RAM’s senior executive #1, disqualified himself
from the process as his son ran one of the companies that submitted an EOI,
and he (RAM’s senior executive #2) assumed the position of committee
chairman.
Only the EOI submitted by the winning bidder satisfied what the committee
was looking for regarding human resource services.
One of the selection committee stated to the committee that the winning
bidder had done some work for the NDoH in a similar role and that he was
very satisfied with its services.
The committee decided to request the winning bidder to submit a cost
proposal.
He (RAM’s senior executive #2) prepared the meeting minutes.33 OIG interview of senior executive #2 at Port Moresby on 15 June, 2011.
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45. The chairman of RAM’s selection committee was provided with a copy of the
selection committee minutes and also a copy of the EOI submitted by the
rival bidder that OIG considered met RAM’s EOI requirements. After he
reviewed these documents, he further stated that:34
The rival bidder identified by OIG did provide a good submission that
fulfilled the EOI requirements.
The comment in the minutes that the winning bidder was the only company
that could provide the services required by RAM was not technically correct.
He strongly recommended to the committee not to engage the rival bidder
that also met RAM’s EOI requirements, based on his professional knowledge
of the bidder’s proposed consultants. He made this recommendation in order
to ensure the best outcome for the Global Fund.
The discussion regarding the rival bidder was not included in the minutes as
what he said could possibly be construed as defamatory.
46. The failure of the RAM committee to invite the rival bidder that met RAM’s
EOI requirements to submit a cost proposal meant that the winning bidder
was awarded the HR contract on a non-competitive basis. The failure of RAM
to undertake a rigid “sealed bid” process, with a public opening of the bids,
coupled with the composition of the selection panel and the false statement
in the minutes, meant that the contract was not awarded on a transparent
basis. Article 18 (a) (i) of the program grant agreement between Rotary and
the Global Fund states:
Article 18. CONTRACTS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES
(a) Procurement Practices. The Principal Recipient shall keep the Global Fund
continuously informed about the policies and practices that it shall use to
contract for goods and services under this Agreement. At a minimum, the
policies and practices governing all procurement under the Program shall
conform to the requirements (i) through (viii) listed below and, where Health
Products are being procured, those in Article 19 of this Agreement. The Principal
Recipient shall ensure that such policies and practices are followed at all times.
i. Contracts shall be awarded on a transparent and, subject only to established
exemptions included in written procurement policies and practices provided to
the Global Fund, on a competitive basis.F.3. HR Service Provider’s Management Costs are Excessive
47. The OIG audit reported stated:35
The PR had outsourced its payroll function to a third party vendor, XXX (the
winning bidder). The OIG audit noted significant variations in the
management fees charged by XXX in relation to the actual costs (salary cost
and recruitment expenses) incurred. This management fee was more than 60%
of the employee cost in a sample of cases reviewed by the OIG.
48. The audit report recommended that:36
RAM should revisit its existing payroll arrangement with XXX to ensure that
the amounts charged by XXX are a reasonable representation of the actual
costs and effort involved in managing the HR engagement.34 OIG interview of senior executive #2 at Port Moresby on 15 June, 2011.
35 OIG Audit Report No: GF-OIG-10-004 p.34
36 Ibid18
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49. The OIG investigation reviewed the winning bidder’s “RAM HR Program
Summary – May 2011” and the tax invoice, pay slips, timesheets and other
documents for that period, submitted to RAM along with the invoice for
payment and other supporting documents. The investigation also reviewed
the budget estimates contained in the bid submitted by First Things First.
The winning bidder 50. The review revealed that of the winning bidder’s total contract payment of
for the HR contract US$ 1,227,046 (PGK 3,257,57037), the total salary cost for staffs was US$
was US$ 359,543
more expensive per 760,935 (PGK 2,007,745). This leaves a balance of US$ 473,684 (PGK
annum than the 1,249,825) for overheads (62.3% of total salary cost). OIG’s review of the bid
losing bid submitted by the rival bidder revealed a total contract price of US$771,890
(PGK 2,036,650) for 18 staff including US$100,681 (PGK 265,650) for
overheads (15% of total salary cost). The overall contract payment for the
winning bidder was US$462,729 (PGK 1,220,920) more expensive than the
bid submitted by the rival bidder that met RAM’s EOI requirements, with
overheads being US$373,022 (PGK 984,174) more expensive.
51. Applying the same percentage of management fee proposed by the rival
bidder on the total actual salary cost of the winning bidder (15% of salary cost
of US$760,935), RAM’s decision to appoint the more expensive provider cost
the grant an additional US$359,543 (PGK 948,663).F.4. Procurement and Distribution of LLINs by RAM
52. The investigation reviewed RAM’s procurement of LLINs for Phase 1 of the
Round 8 Grant. RAM budgeted US$5,694,728 for the purchase of LLINs
during Phase 1 and US$5,987,245 for the purchase of LLINs during Phase 2
of the grant, for a total of US$11,681,973.
RAM paid an 53. Publicly available data obtained from the Global Fund’s PQR system, show
average price of US$ that under Round 8, up to and including March 2012, RAM purchased a total
3.67 per LLIN,
almost US$ 1.00 less of 3,182,950 LLINs.38 The USAID LLIN Market and Data Analysis showed an
than the average average LLIN price of US$4.60 between 2009 and 2011. During this period,
price quoted by RAM paid an average price of US$3.67, almost US$1.00 less.
USAID37 Forex conversion rate used (1 US$ = 0.379 PGK) is as indicated by RAM which is the rate of exchange
when fund (USD) was converted to Kina
38 Global Fund Price & Quality Reporting (PQR) data: www.theglobalfund.org/en/procurement/pqr19
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G. Questionable or ineligible expenditures
G.1. The Global Fund’s Right to Reimbursement
62. Article 27 of the Global Fund’s Grant Agreement with RAM establishes the
Global Fund’s right to demand repayment from RAM in certain
circumstances:
Notwithstanding the availability or exercise of any other remedies under this
Agreement, the Global Fund may require the Principal Recipient to
immediately refund to the Global Fund any disbursement of the Grant funds in
the currency in which it was disbursed in any of the following circumstances:
(i) this Agreement has been terminated or suspended; (ii) there has been a
breach by the Principal Recipient of any provision of this
agreement; (iii) the Global Fund has disbursed an amount to the Principal
Recipient in error; or (iv) the Principal Recipient has made a material
misrepresentation with respect to any matter related to this agreement. 54
63. Thus, the Global Fund has a contractual right to seek reimbursement from
RAM for breaches of the Grant agreement.
64. Article 18 (a) (i) of the Grant Agreement between the Global Fund and RAM
states that:
Contracts shall be awarded on a transparent and, subject only to established
exemptions included in the written procurement policies and practices provided
to the Global Fund, on a competitive basis. 55
65. This investigation found that RAM did not award the human resource
contract on a transparent and competitive basis, in accordance with the
terms of Article 18 of its Grant Agreement with the Global Fund.G.2. Value of the winning bidder’s contract
Investigation finds 66. As noted above, the OIG has identified that RAM’s selection and subsequent
that RAM’s decision contracting of a company to serve as its human resource service provider cost
to appoint a HR
company associated the grant a total of US$359,543 (PGK 948,663) in additional management
with RAMs director fees. OIG notes the difference between winning bidder’s management fee of
unnecessarily cost US$ 473,684 (PGK 1,249,825) – 62.3% of total salary cost of US$ 760,935
the grant (PGK 2,007,745), compared the rival bidder’s management fee of US$
US$150,678 in
excessive
100,681 (PGK 265,650) – 15% of total salary cost of US$ 671,209 (PGK
management fees. 1,771,000).
Winning bidder’s 67. RAM’s decision to eliminate the rival bidder via a non-transparent and non-
contract did not competitive bid process in order to appoint a particular company, resulted in
provide reasonable
price for services RAM paying for overheads at more than a reasonable price, which is the
requirements stated in Article 18 (a) (vi) of its Grant Agreement with the
Global Fund.54 Article 27 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of the Grant Agreement between the Global Fund
and RAM, PNG-809-G06-M.
55 Article 18 (a) (i) of the Standard Terms and Conditions of the Grant Agreement between the GlobalFund and RAM, PNG-809-G06-M.
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H. Conclusion
H.1. Conflict of Interest
RAM’s senior 68. RAM’s senior executive #1, although not participating in the selection
executive #1 committee process per se, was the addressee for the EOIs and he was also the
administered a
contract of which RAM signatory on the contract with the winning bidder, which his son also
family members signed as the winning bidder’s signatory. This constitutes ‘administration’ of
were a party. the contract.
69. Although there was a conflict of interest, the investigation determined that
the winning bidder provided an effective and professional HR service.
70. RAM improperly awarded a HR contract to a company with family links to its
senior executive #1
71. RAM’s contract for human resource services was improperly awarded to a
company with family links to the individual who was RAM senior executive
#1 at the time.
72. The investigation found that a rival expression of interest that met with the
requirements of the expression of interest was rejected by the committee
based on the committee chairman’s recommendation and that the selection
committee meetings contained a false statement that “the only expression of
interest that met with the complete range of services that RAM was seeking
was that from XXX (the winning bidder).”
The Chairman of 73. The investigation also found that the chairman of the RAM selection
RAM’s selection committee had business links to the winning bidder that were never
committee had
business links to the declared. The winning bidder’s principal place of business and business
HR company that address was a law firm of which the chairman of the RAM selection
were never declared. committee was a senior partner. Two partners of the law firm according to a
current company extract of the winning bidder, both were current
shareholders of the winning bidder.H.2. Management Fees
74. OIG’s review revealed that out of the total contract payment to the HR
service provider of US$ 1,227,046 (PGK 3,257,57056), the total salary cost
was US$ 760,935 (PGK 2,007,745) leaving US$ 473,684 (PGK 1,249,825) for
overheads – 62.3% of total salary cost.
75. OIG’s review of a rival bid, that met RAM’s advertised EOI requirements,
revealed a total contract price of US$771,890 (PGK 2,036,650), comprising
of total salary costs of US$ 671,209 (PGK 1,771,000) leaving US$ 100,681
(PGK 265,650) for overheads – 15% of total salary cost.
RAM’s appointment 76. On the evidence reviewed by the OIG, RAMs decision to appoint the
of the winning particular HR service provider resulted in additional costs to the grant.
bidder cost the grant
US$359,543 in Applying the same percentage of management fee proposed by the rival
additional bidder on the total actual salary cost of the winning bidder (15% of salary cost
management fees US$760,935), RAM’s decision to appoint the more expensive provider cost
the grant an additional US$359,543 (PGK 948,663) in overheads.56 Forex conversion rate used (1 US$ = 0.379 PGK) is as indicated by RAM which is the rate of exchange
when fund (USD) was converted to Kina
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H.3. Procurement of LLINs
RAM’s procurement 77. The investigation determined that with regard to the procurement of LLINs,
of LLINs was RAM, despite not engaging in a ‘sealed bid process’, acted in a transparent
transparent and
prudent and resulted manner in the best interests of the grant. RAM obtained the LLIN’s at a very
in substantial reasonable price, lower than USAID reported average LLIN prices for the
savings same period and within Global Fund ‘expected range’ recorded in the Global
Fund’s PQR system. Substantial savings of approximately US$571,956 (PGK
1,206,827) were also made in reduced shipping costs by selecting polyester
rather than polyethylene LLINs. The investigation also noted that RAM
wrote to the PNG Internal Revenue Commission regarding each delivery to
ensure Goods and Services Tax (GST) and import duty exemption. RAM also
wrote to PNG Ports Corporation Limited to request exemption of wharfage
and handling charges, but no exemption from these charges was granted.25
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I. Recommendations
OIG recommended 78. As a result of its investigation, the OIG made a recommendation in August
to the Global Fund 2011 to the Global Fund Secretariat, immediately:
Secretariat that
RAM’s contract with At the expiration of RAM’s contract with the current HR service provider,
the winning bidder
should be re-
which has been extended to 31 December, 2011 (Annex 6), in line with the
tendered upon its extension of phase 1 of the Global Fund Grant, require RAM to re-tender the
expiry and that contract for human resource services for phase 2.57 OIG recommended that
refunds should be the Global Fund seek recovery from RAM
made by RAM
Seek recoveries from RAM in relation to the HR services contract, notably
taking into account the difference between the management fee charged by
current HR service provider and the management fee contained in the
budget estimates in the bid submitted by a rival bidder that met RAM’s
advertised EOI requirements, totaling US$359,543 (PGK 948,663).
OIG recommended Require that no person within Rotary or RAM with any connection to XXX
that persons with
any connection to
(the current HR service provider) be involved in the selection process to any
the current HR degree, including receiving or opening the tenders and that the process be via
service provider be sealed tender, opened by the RAM selection committee.
involved in selection Require that RAM engages in fair, transparent, ethical and proper
process
procurement practice in all procurement, as per RAM’s Procurement and
Supply Management Plan and RAM’s Procurement Manual.57 Telephone call and email between OIG and PNG Fund Portfolio Manager dated 26 Aug 2011.
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J. Acronyms
ACT Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy
CCM Country Coordinating Mechanism
EOI expression of interest
HR human resources
LFA Local Fund Agent
LLIN Long-lasting insecticide treated net
NDOH National Department of Health
OIG Office of the Inspector General
PGK Papua New Guinea Kina
PNG Independent State of Papua New Guinea
PR Principal Recipient
RAM Rotarians Against Malaria
RDT Rapid diagnostic test kit
SR Sub-recipient
UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees
US$ United States Dollar
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WHO World Health Organization
WHOPES World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme27
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K. Global Fund Secretariat’s Response to
RecommendationsIn response to OIG’s 79. In a management letter58 dated 2 April, 2012, the Global Fund Secretariat
recommendations informed RAM that:
the Global Fund
Secretariat sent a The LFA is to conduct an annual review of the HR fees in November of each
management letter
to RAM stating that
year, and
the LFA is to RAM is to retender for the HR service provider within 2012 with the least
undertake an annual disruption to HR support possible. The new HR company can then start their
review of HR fees work in 2013. The winning bidder (the original HR provider) will not be
and that RAM is to
re-tender the HR
barred from re-tendering.
services contract
80. In 2012, the LFA was requested by the Secretariat to provide their opinion on
the HR service fees charged by the winning bidder (the original HR provider)
and confirmed that the fees were reasonable for PNG settings. The
Secretariat will continue monitoring this management on an annual basis.59
81. The OIG’s recommendation on the need for re-tendering of the PR’s human
resource services contract was implemented in 2012 and resulted in the
confirmation of the original HR provider as the PR’s HR service provider.
82. The Secretariat concluded, based on extensive communication with the PR,
LFA and CCM, that the 2012 selection process was conducted in line with
OIG’s recommendations on the independence of the selection committee and
application of proper procurement practice.
Secretariat took 83. The Secretariat took extra steps to clarify the process with the PR and CCM
steps to ensure that representatives on the selection panel and the LFA, before drawing the above
the tender process
for the new HR conclusion. The extra clarifications were required due to the way the
services contract was selection panel presented their conclusions – there was not “tangible”
transparent and fair difference between the two eligible candidates and yet the original HR
provider was chosen based on considerations of saving money on the process
of changing the service provider and of avoiding unnecessary interruption in
services. The LFA confirmed that if a new HR service provider was chosen,
the expatriate staff members of the PR would have to leave PNG and reapply
for a work visa with the new company.
84. The Secretariat conveyed to the PR OIG’s recommendation that no person
within Rotary or RAM with any connection to the original HR services
provider be involved in the selection process. The implementation of this
recommendation was closely monitored by both the Secretariat and the LFA.
The LFA served as an observer on the selection panel and the OIG was
informed of the composition of the panel.58 Global Fund Management Letter dated 2 April 2012, Ref: OPC/EAP/PNG/1512/EB
59 Not necessarily in November of each year.28
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L. Annex 1: Rotary Against Malaria (RAM) responses to OIG
Report and OIG’s comments.Para Page PRs comments OIG’s response
No.
N/A N/A HR Tender Award OIG maintains that substantive and credible evidence exists to
support the investigation findings detailed in OIG’s
It has been communicated by the OIG audit team to
investigation report.
RAM that the management fees of the year 2009 HR
firm award was improperly awarded, excessive in
remuneration and improper pricing. RAM disagrees
with the OIG.N/A N/A Basis And Scope of HR Tender Award OIG does not agree with RAM’s view that the review was
based on the bid price as the sole criteria. OIG’s review
The RAM HR tender in 2009 did not contain a formal
considered the bid price of both companies considered by
award scoring criteria to determine the basis of
RAM’s selection committee and also the actual costs of the HR
appointment of the winning bid. It is in our opinion
services provided to RAM by the winning bidder.
that the OIG audit team limited their review of this
OIG does not agree with RAM’S view that the quantification
award on the bid price as being the sole criteria for
used was inaccurate and incomplete. OIG’s quantification is
the contract award of professional services. The OIG
based on the data supplied by RAM regarding actual costs of
team further erred in their review by comparing the
the HR contract to RAM.
prices of two different types of service offerings in
order to obtain an opinion on the tender award.
Furthermore, the quantification used by the OIG audit
team in obtaining their opinion on the HR bid pricing
was inaccurate and incomplete.N/A N/A Award Criteria OIG does not agree with RAM’s view that the OIG limited their
analysis of the 2009 HR award to two firms. OIG analysed all
RAM is of the opinion that during the review, the OIG
the bids submitted leading to the discovery that beside the
audit team limited their analysis of the 2009 HR award
winning bidder, one other bidder met the Expression of
to two firms, namely XXX (The winning bidder) and
Interest (EOI) criteria advertised by RAM, contrary to RAM’s
XXX (the losing bidder) .It should be noted that the
statement that only one bidder (the winning bidder) fully met
losing bidder as part of their bid submission
RAM’s EOI requirements.
communicated to having in place 18 national
OIG does not agree with RAM’S view that ‘The winning firm
‘qualified staff’ (names and qualifications provided as
bid was for the competitive recruitment of 18 national staff
part of their bid) in their database whom were able to
and 2 international staff as per the advertisement’. OIG refers
implement the entire RAM program as sub‐
RAM to the ‘Call for Expressions of Interest’ (Annex 1 of the
contractors. It was assumed that the entire 18 staff
Investigation Report). The EOI only states ‘Recruitment of
listed had the required skill and experience to
Staff for Logistical duties, Accounting Staff, Admin Staff,
implement the entire RAM project (Only one of these
Drivers and Keyboard Operators. Recruited staff will be the
personnel had developmental or aid agency
responsibility of the Human Resource company offering the
experience nor did the losing bidder provide the staff
services, this will include salaries, Leave, payment of taxes
list as per the job descriptions defined in the RAM HR
Workers Compensation Insurance and Nasfund contributions.
Advertisement).The firm was not within its submitted
Rotary Against Malaria will pay once a month to the supplier
terms of reference going to undergo any competitive
of these services.’
staff recruitments on behalf of RAM as part of their
OIG does not agree with RAM’s statement that ‘XXX (the
future engagement. The winning firm bid was for the
losing bidder) did not provide the staff list as per the job
competitive recruitment of 18 national staff and 2
descriptions defined in the RAM HR Advertisement’. OIG
international staff as per the advertisement. The
refers RAM to the ‘Call for Expressions of Interest’ (Annex 1 of
detailed annexes provided by the winning bidder and
the Investigation Report’). The EOI states ‘Recruitment of
the losing bidder on their service propositions to the
Staff for Logistical duties, Accounting Staff, Admin Staff,
advertisement clearly communicate that these two
Drivers and Keyboard Operators’. The 15 page bid submitted
firms’ bids were for the provision of different HR
by the losing bidder (as distinct from the one page bid
services to RAM. Despite this, the OIG audit team
submitted by the winning bidder) clearly shows positions
assumed that a logical conclusion could be derived
matching the positions of: ‘Logistical duties’; ‘Accounting
from a price comparison exercise restricted to the
Staff’; ‘Admin Staff’; ‘Drivers’; and ‘Keyboard Operators’. OIG
above two bids.
refers RAM to the EOI submitted by the losing bidder (Annex 5
The RAM award committee used the ability of the of the Investigation Report).
contract firm to meet the RAM requirements and Additionally, OIG refers RAM to the winning bidders one page29
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fulfill its obligations as the important determining bid submission (Annex 4 of the Investigation Report). This bid
factor in the award. did not include a ‘staff list as per the job descriptions defined
in the RAM HR Advertisement’.
RAM concludes that the scope of comparisons
OIG does not agree with RAM’s statement: ‘The detailed
employed by the OIG audit team and Investigator in
annexes provided by XXX (The winning bidder) and XXXX on
their review did not embrace all the factual data
their service propositions to the advertisement clearly
available in forming an opinion on the validity of the
communicate that these two firms’ bids were for the
award.
provision of different HR services to RAM.’ OIG refers RAM to
the winning bidders one page bid submission (Annex 4 of the
Investigation Report). The winning bidder did not submit a
‘detailed annex’ in response to RAM’s EOI.
OIG does not agree with RAM’s statement that OIG did not
embrace all the factual data available in forming an opinion on
the validity of the award. OIG reviewed all the data available
to RAM’s selection committee on which the selection
committee based there decision to improperly exclude the
losing bidder from the process.
HR Management Service Providers Costs Are Paragraph 46‐50 of the Investigation Report do not state that
Excessive the management service costs are excessive. Paragraph 46 and
47 directly quote parts of the OIG Audit Report. Paragraphs
It is communicated in the OIG investigation report
46 16 48‐50 of OIGs Investigation Report indicate the different
(paragraph 46‐ 50) that the 2009 HR award
pricing structures of the two bids considered by RAM’s
management service costs are excessive.
50 17 selection committee (based on the bid amount of the
The OIG audit team as a result of only comparing two unsuccessful bidder and the actual costs of the successful
submitted quotes for the provision of different HR bidder as provided by RAM.)
services concluded that RAM awarded a HR provider OIG recognises that RAM has improved the structuring and
excessive remuneration for the services offered. It documentation of its requirements in future tenders. This
should be noted that the OIG audit review team did however, has no relevance to the tender covered in the
not carry out an in country survey in order to Investigation Report.
determine the reasonableness of the cost plan of the OIG recognises that the year 2009 HR award contractor was
HR winning bid charges. RAM maintains that the awarded the contract by the PNG CCM (Overseen by the LFA)
payout rates for the provision of professional services in subsequent periods. This however, has no relevance to the
can only be deemed excessive if well above the tender covered in the Investigation report.
industry rate. For purposes of providing guidance on OIG recognises that the LFA may well have communicated that
the industry average, It should be noted that one of the round 2 retender quotes were in line with the industry
the ‘capable firms‐ XXX’ that was disqualified from rates in PNG for the period. This however, has no relevance to
participating in the HR tender bid for 25% of the total the tender covered in the Investigation Report.
remuneration package per position with further OIG does not agree with RAM’s statement that the GF audit
reimbursement for all recruitment related costs team and its investigators did not ensure reasonable
professional duty of care was undertaken in the year 2009
RAM management improved the structuring and
audit review informing an opinion on the excessiveness of the
documentation of its requirements in future tenders.
charges. OIG has made a comparison between two bids that
It is on this basis that the year 2009 HR award
met with RAM’s EOI. One of the bids was unfairly excluded and
contractor was awarded the contract by the PNG CCM
the winning bid was more expensive.
(Overseen by the LFA) in subsequent periods. It wasexplicitly communicated by the LFA that the round 2
retender quotes were in line with the industry rates in
PNG for the period.
RAM concludes that the GF audit team and its
investigators did not ensure reasonable professional
duty of care was undertaken in the year 2009 audit
review in forming an opinion on the excessiveness of
charges.Determination of Pricing For The Year 2009 HR OIG again disputes RAM’s statement that bidder number two‘s
Tender Award job descriptions did not match RAM’s advertisement and that
the skill sets were inappropriate for the RAM project. OIG
The losing bidder as a part of the 2009 HR bid priced
again refers RAM to the advertised EOI (Annex 1 of the
their submission on the basis of having in place
Investigation Report) and again refers RAM to the winning
available implementation project staff (The staff job
bidder’s one page submission (Annex 4 of the Investigation
descriptions not matching the RAM advertisement
Report) that does not contain any staff job descriptions or skill
and skill set inappropriate for the RAM project) at
sets.
fixed rates plus an additional management fee to
OIG disputes RAM’s claim that XXX (the winning bidder) as part
manage their own staff. The winning bidder as a part30
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of their submission tender availed forecasts of the of their submission tender availed forecasts of the expected
expected costs (They explicitly communicated that costs. OIG again refers RAM to the winning bidder’s one page
they had to recruit the staff as per direction given in submission (Annex 4 of the Investigation Report).
RAM advertisement) and the percentage charged for OIG’s response to RAMs claim that ‘The total costs of the
providing their service. At the time of bid award, it winning bidder’s staff costs and the management costs as per
was not known the exact expenditure that RAM was the submitted bid was in excess of the RAM HR Global fund
to incur in staff remuneration. The total costs of the budget line’ is that as detailed in the report, the winning
losing bidder’s staff costs and the management costs bidder’s submitted staff costs and management costs were
as per the submitted bid was in excess of the RAM HR US$ 359,543 less than the actual cost of the winning bidders
Global Fund budget line (Details provided as an annex provision of HR services to RAM.
to their bid). OIG’s response is that RAM is unable to determine beyond the
costs submitted in the losing bidders EOI what the costs would
The OIG audit team selected only the management
be. Similarly, RAM was unable to know what the costs of the
cost of the losing bidder as a basis for the comparison
winning bidder would be at the time of the Selection
of projected staff recruitment cost by XXX (the
Committee meeting, as the winning bidder did not submit
winning bidder) to form an opinion on the adequacy
costs in their EOI. OIG refers RAM to Annex 4 and Annex 5 of
of pricing for the tender.
the investigation report.
An email was sent to the OIG investigator in month of
May 2013 detailing the RAM interpretations of the
pricing of the tenderers. This e‐mail communicates to
the investigator that the actual staff costs of
implementing the losing bidder would have been
significantly higher than XXX (the winning bidder) and
result in overspending of the PR HR budget by
approximately 150%.
A comparison of the implementation of the quoted
K1,018,000 per year losing bidders bid with
adjustments included for the additional actual staff
required to implement the program amounted to
US$1,946,918.70 against the actual winning bidders
costs of US$1,227,048.00 (US$1,022,538 being the
core RAM staff costs with $204,507.66 being charged
by the winning bidder for administration) is provided
in the mail message to the OIG investigator.
As a result of review of the above information, RAM
concludes that the opinion expressed by the Global
Fund audit team on the HR award committee’s pricing
and review is inaccurate and misleading.Conflict of Interest OIG’s response is that it is reasonable to conclude that the
senior executive of RAM knew that the company connected
2009 RAM Internal Definition Of Conflict Of Interest
with his family would submit an expression of interest and
The RAM definition and understanding of conflict of therefore he should not have nominated himself as the
1 3 addressee for the EOI’s.
interest is identical to that of the Global Fund. OIG’s investigation found that the senior executive of RAM
2 3
RAM requires all staff and board members to declare who was the addressee for the EOIs, opened the EOI’s receivedif a current or potential conflict of interest exists and prior to the selection committee meeting.
25 10
ensure that no undue influence materializes in its OIG maintains that the senior executive of RAM breachedoperations as a result of this. The Institute Of Article 21 of its grant agreement with the Global Fund in that
26 10
Chartered Secretaries guide was embraced within the senior executive participated in the administration of aRAM’s policies during the period. The contract in which his immediate family had a financial interest.
67 22
protocol/procedures within RAM was however not The OIG report does not state that the RAM senior executive
identical to the Global fund at this point of time. ‘participated in the award process’ as claimed by RAM.
RAM’s procurement manual was not issued until 1 September
RAM Management Of Conflict Of Interest in Year 2009 thus it post‐dates both the expression of interest and the
2009 date the RAM Selection Committee met (30 March 2009).RAM had a total staff size of 28 staff in the year 2009.
Of these staff, only two served as management staff
(The Chair and the Project manager whom is field
based). Given the size and structure of the
organization, the RAM board had in place policy
guidelines to manage the potential conflict of interest31
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that may occur in implementation.
The board and management of RAM acknowledge
that conflicts of interest existed in the HR tender
award. RAM managed the conflict of interest by
ensuring that the chair did not directly influence the
determining of the contract award. The chair at the
earliest possible occasion declared his connection to
the firm and disqualified him from directly
participating in the award. The chair further ensured
that he did not influence the independence or
decision making abilities of the award decision. An
independent committee determined the award
beneficiary of the contract.
Paragraph 1 point 6, paragraph 2 point 7, paragraph
25, paragraph 67, paragraph 26 of the OIG audit
report communicates that RAM chair signed the
contract of the winning bidder on behalf of RAM, this
action thereby interpreted by the OIG audit team asparticipating in the award process. This technical non‐
compliance of the Global Fund articles on segregation
of functions was in effect as a result of the application
of the internal RAM chart of authority and the
procurement manuals that required the chairperson
approves and signs off for all contracts for amounts
above USD 2,500(Kina 5000). This implied that the
organization obligated the chairperson to sign off on
this payment provided that all necessary
documentation supporting the Committee
recommendation/Approval (Where the chair did not
participate) was in place.
36 12 RAM concludes that the OIG audit and investigator OIG’s response is that compliance with Global Fund Articles is
during the year 2009 audit review did not examine as not optional. RAM’s emotive claim of ‘personal targeting of the
37 12 to whether it was possible to ensure that the required chair person’ lacks credibility and is untrue.
full technical compliance of the Global Fund Articles OIG confines its comments to the Investigation Report.
within the RAM policy framework, staffing and OIG maintains that it is reasonable to conclude that RAMs
organizational structure as the PR in the year 2009. Senior Executive would have known that XXX (the winning
The deviation from the expected objective critique of bidder) would submit a bid in response to the EOI. OIG
the RAM organization policies and systems during the concedes that the last sentence of paragraph 26.
year GF OIG 2009 audit review to the personal ‘Furthermore, although there is no suggestion that all EOIs
targeting of the chair person is interpreted by RAM as received were not delivered to the RAM selection committee,
professionally unsound. there is the appearance of impropriety’ should be removed
from the report. With regard to paragraph 37, this paragraph
Furthermore, the OIG audit team during the exercise simply states a fact, evidenced by the minutes of the selection
did not examine as to whether all possible avenues committee.
available to ensure integrity of the program and
maintain an adequate control framework on conflict
of interest had been pursued by RAM, which would
have acted as an invaluable guide for the
improvement of the internal control systems and
framework in the organization.RAM also provides feedback on the following
paragraphs contained in the OIG report referencing
the purported transgressions on ‘conflict of interest’.
Paragraph 36 of the OIG report imply on the supposed
impropriety as a result of insider knowledge of the
RAM chairperson on the internal operations of the
winning bidder. As this information is
unsubstantiated, RAM interprets these paragraphs as
targeted to be demeaning in nature with derisory
intent. Paragraph 37 builds further and enforces the32
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same tone with non factual opinion used in official
OIG audit reports.26 10 Interpretation Of The GF Round 8 Phase I Contract OIG maintains that RAM breached Article 18 and 21 of its
Conflict Of Interest grant agreement with the Global Fund.
40 13 With regard to Paragraph 40, part of the paragraph is a
In paragraph 26 of the audit report , the investigator
reproduction of Article 21. OIG’s view is that the actions of
has referenced the non management of the PR Article
RAM’s senior executive were more a conflict of interest. Given
18(procurement) and Article 21(Conflict of interest)
that the actual article (Article 21) is referenced in the
by RAM as a basis to conclude on none transparency
paragraph, OIG will delete the actual wording of the article in
or competitiveness of the HR tender award. The grant
paragraph 21.
appendix as Article 21 part c of the contract
OIG strongly disagrees with RAM’s claims that the statement
agreement states: Disclosure: If the PR has knowledge
‘Minutes for the selection committee regarding the selection
or becomes aware of any actual, apparent or potential
of the HR provider were false, in that the minutes stated that
conflict of interest between the financial interests of
the only expression of interest that met the complete range
any persons affiliated with the PR, any SR, the CCM,
of services that RAM was seeking was that from XXX (The
the LFA or the Global Fund and the persons duties
winning bidder) bur the chairman of RAMs selection
with the respect to the implementation of the global
committee (and senior executive #2 of RAM) admitted that
fund and that persons duties with respect to the
another bidder’s tender by RAM clearly met RAMs
implementation of the program…then The PR shall
requirements’ is non factual and erroneous. OIG refers RAM
immediately disclose the actual, apparent or potential
to the selection committee minutes (annex 2 of the
conflict of interest directly to the Global Fund.
Investigation Report) and also draws RAM’s attention to a
The chair person of RAM ensured that the spirit of (recorded) interview between OIG and the chairman of RAM’s
Article 21 was promoted at all times by not selection committee that took place on 15 June 2011 during
influencing the award decision. However, the which he stated that contrary to what was recorded in the
technical applications of the articles were not applied minutes a rival bidder did provide a good submission that
at the particular point of time but with RAM ensuring fulfilled the EOI requirements.
that future improvements made to demonstrate the
application.On paragraph 40, reference is made to Article 21
elaborating the Global Fund stance on corruption
stating that the PR and persons affiliated with cannot
participate in the administration of a contract in
which the persons immediate family have a financial
interest.
The Global Fund definition of corruption is ‘Corruption
includes bribery, unlawful gratuity, collusion,
favoritism, theft of public funds, unlawful coercion,
fraud through the deprivation of honest services
(public officials or public money), intentional
misappropriation of public funds‐It is not Conflict of
Interest.( Definition obtained from Anti‐Corruption
training program on Global Fund Website)7 4 Fraud is an effort of deception made with the
intention to achieve personal financial or material
gain; in other words, the use of deceit, trickery, or
breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain
some unfair or dishonest advantage.
Article 21.b (i) on guidance on corruption states “ The
PR shall not, and shall ensure that no SR or person
affiliated with the PR or SR:
(i) Participates in the selection, award or
administration of a contract, grant or other benefit or
transaction funded by the grant, in which the person,
members of the persons immediate family or his or
her business partners, or organizations controlled by
or substantially involving such a person ,has or have a
financial interest.
Article 219(c) further provides that in event of a33
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conflict of interest; The PR shall immediately disclose
the actual, apparent or potential conflict of interest
directly to the Global Fund.
RAM interprets that the OIG audit team of having
employed the selective use of different appendixes of
the Global Fund Grant Articles when making
conclusions contained in the audit report.
RAM noted further discrepancy in the report
contained in Page 4 point 7 that incorrectly states
‘Minutes of the selection committee regarding the
selection of the HR provider were false, in that the
minutes stated that the only expression of interest
that met the complete range of services that RAM was
seeking was that from XXX (The winning bidder, but
the chairman of RAMS selection committee (And
senior executive #2) of RAM admitted that another
bidder’s tender by RAM clearly met RAMS’s
requirements. RAM maintains that this ascertains that
this representation in the audit report as non factual
and erroneous.LLIN Procurement It is clear from OIG’s Investigation Report that the
investigation found that with regard to LLIN Procurement,
The RAM institutional structure in the year 2009 was
RAM ‘acted in a transparent manner in the best interests of
inadequate to accommodate for the complete
the grant’.
segregation of duties internally. This was due to
having in place systems that required the chair person
being a mandatory authorizer of all contracts above
$2500(Kina 5000). The LLIN award was executed by
RAM in good faith and due care provided to ensure
the maximum benefit to the project was obtained in
the tender. The usage of these funds for the intended
grant purpose and ensure maximum value was
reviewed regularly at both management and board
levels. It was noted that a breach of GF due process
occurred in the year 2009 due to the structural
organizational limitations that existed at that
particular point of time. I.e. the staffing numbers,
organizational structure and delegated financial
authority was such that awards of this size required
the direct input of the chairperson.
It was noted that the RAM Chairperson during the
period received the LLIN manufacturer bids in e‐mail
submissions copied to Global fund instead of to sealed
bids to a tender committee. On realization of the
transgression from the defined Global Fund Articles,
the chair person did immediately e‐mail all WHOPES
approved manufacturers to resubmit their bids in
sealed form addressed to the tender committee. The
award was thereafter determined and awarded
according to the information contained in the sealed
bids.
Continual remedial actions have been taken by RAM
to ensure transparency and best practice in its
subsequent tender awards.
RAM concludes that the Global fund audit team was
inconsistent in its interpretation of the Global Fund
Articles Of Administration during the review. This is
due to selectively interpreting technical non
compliance by RAM in the LLIN tender where a clear
financial savings was determined as transparent and34
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applying a different interpretation in the HR tender
award where the OIG team perceived a loss.Shareholding Of XXX (the winning bidder) OIG agrees that the extract of the company search shows that
XXX (the winning bidder) had a total share capital of 100
The HR Expression of interest by RAM was published
shares as at 25 February 2011 and that Mr J.K.G. had 100
in February 2009 and subsequent contract award in
shares allocated to him on 24 February 2007.
March 2009 award. The extract of the company
OIG’s position is that the extract shows that Mr KKK and Mr
search provided by the OIG investigator
communicates that XXX (the winning bidder) had a
KKP according to the extract still held one share each as at the
6 3 date of the extract (25 Feb 2007) and both held these shares
total share capital of 100 shares as at 24/2/2007. The
at the time of the EOI.
documents provide communicate that the sole
7 3 OIG points out that the extract shows as at 25 February 2007,
shareholder was J.K.G.
Mrs M.S, Mr G.M.S, Mr M.L.A.S and Mr J.K.G were directors of
25 10 Page 3 Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7, Paragraph 25, the company and were directors of the company at the time
Paragraph 26, Paragraph 38, Paragraph 41, of the expression of interest. The extract also shows that as at
26 10 Paragraphs 67‐72 incorrectly state otherwise. 25 February 2007, Mr. G.M.S was also secretary of the
company and was also secretary of the company at the time
The OIG audit erred in the interpretation of the
38 13 of the expression of interest.
shareholding by assuming that everyone listed as XXX
Paragraph 6 (page 3) makes no mention of company shares, it
(the winning bidder’s) shareholders in prior periods
41 14 states ‘a company controlled by the family of one of RAM’s
were still shareholders at the expression of interest
senior executives’. The fact that three of the senior executive’s
advertisement and subsequent of contract award.
67‐72 22 family were directors with one also being the company
A simple check with the registrar of companies would secretary is evidence of this fact, despite the transfer of shares
have provided the required information on the XXX on 5 March 2001.
(the winning bidder) shareholding. RAM interprets the Paragraph 7 states that two of the senior partners of the law
intent of screening of pre award and incorporation firm were shareholders of the winning bidder at the time of
XXX (the winning bidder) shareholding was for the this procurement. The extract shows that this is the case as
manipulation of the presentation of the true state of the shares are still (according to the extract) held by Mr KKK
company affairs to users of the audit document. and Mr KKP.
Paragraph 7 makes no mention of any other share holdings. Paragraph 25 is correct in that it states that the senior official
of RAM was a shareholder between 199 and 2007 and that at
the time of the procurement the senior official’s wife and two
sons were directors OF the company. The paragraph does not
state that they were shareholders as alleged.
Paragraph 26 is correct in that it states that the immediate
family of RAM’s senior executive had a financial interest in the
company. The paragraph does not state that they were
shareholders.
OIG concedes that paragraph 38 incorrectly states that the
wife and two sons of RAM’s senior executive are current
shareholders. The paragraph will be amended to read that the
wife and two sons of RAM’s senior executive are current
directors of the company and one of his sons is also the
company secretary.
Paragraph 41 is correct in that it states that two partners of a
law firm were shareholders of the company that won the bid.
The business extract shows that as at 25 February 2011, Mr
KKK and Mr KKP still held one share each.
Paragraph 67‐72 does not contain any incorrect information.
The paragraphs indicate that: the company had family links to
RAM’s senior executive; the chairman of RAM’s selection
committee had business links to the winning bidder that were
never declared; the winning bidder’s principal place of
business and business address was a law firm of which the
chairman of the RAM selection committee was a senior
partner; and two partners of the law firm were current
shareholders of the winning bidder according to a current
company extract.35
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