Procurement authority bans two firms for one year over failure to execute education ministry contract

“The Authority established that Biogenix Limited was paid an advance payment of K239,494.00 by the Ministry of Education, but Biogenix Limited did not deliver the goods during the contract period,” Lumbe said.

Leisely Howards Limited was suspended over a K8.62 million contract, equivalent to US$332,791.54, for the supply and delivery of home economics equipment to schools funded under ZEEP.

Lumbe said the Ministry awarded the contract to the company in December 2024, with the supplier receiving a 25 percent advance payment of K2.16 million, equivalent to US$83,197.88, that month.

The contract had a delivery period of 12 to 16 weeks, but the company failed to deliver the goods within the stipulated period.

She said Leisely Howards made only partial deliveries in June and July 2025, after the contract had expired, adding that the items supplied did not meet the contract specifications and were rejected by the Ministry.

“Therefore, ZPPA has suspended Leisely Howards Limited from participating in public procurement, effective 22nd January 2027,” she said.

Lumbe said the company was already serving a one-year suspension arising from another tender process, which is due to end on January 22, 2027.

She said Section 6(h) of the Public Procurement Act mandates ZPPA to investigate and act on complaints relating to procurement proceedings received from procuring entities, bidders, suppliers or members of the public.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.