08.01.2016.

When the Medical Unit and In-House Restaurant Become a Talking Point of the Media – the Question Arises as to Who Wants to Undermine the Achievements of the NBS?

Constant media criticism of the NBS undermines its efforts, shared by other government institutions and enterprises, to operate as efficiently as possible, that is, in line with the Law on Occupational Health and Safety. Moreover, the NBS’s statutory obligation to publicly advertise its procurements is abused by such assaults.

Being cost-conscious, the NBS decided to procure foodservice equipment with long service life and the lowest maintenance cost for its restaurants (existing in many other government institutions as well). This is not the case of procuring luxurious equipment, but of purchasing equipment of high reliability and security, which meets standard customer requirements.

Some procurement lots have now been suspended as bidders failed to submit evidence on the basic hygienic minimum (standards usually required) and bid higher than market prices.

As the values estimated by the NBS were lower than the prices offered, the NBS did not want to allow the procurement to proceed at unrealistic prices, but insisted on prices which are adequate for our market. The NBS expects that the bidders will be guided by this fact in the repeated public procurement procedure, making sure the goods they offer are not only high in quality but also reasonably priced.

The equipment which is the subject of procurement is not a case of extravagance. Such equipment has been on our market for over 30 years and was purchased by other organisations, institutions and companies in Serbia.

Also, branding insect repellent UV lamps as luxury items shows a lack of understanding of basic legal regulations, as was the case at the time of procurement of fire protection and emergency equipment (axes, shovels, sand, etc.).

It is, therefore, obvious that this is a case of demagoguery and an attempt to draw public attention away from the positive results achieved by the NBS.

Governor’s office