Private Security Regulatory Authority chief executive Philip Leakey Okello and Interior PS Raymond Omollo at a past event/HANDOUTThe Private Security Regulatory Authority has moved to address concerns over low-priced tenders for private security services that could undermine the minimum wage and other statutory employment obligations for security officers.
The regulator has called on private security firms and procurement officials to submit views on the ongoing review of Standard Tender Documents and Formats used in public procurement.
In a notice on Tuesday, PSRA chief executive Philip Leakey Okello said private security providers should particularly scrutinise provisions governing tender pricing, evaluation criteria and compliance with statutory minimum wages.
The Authority also wants stakeholders to examine statutory deductions and other mandatory employment costs, as well as measures to discourage the award of tenders at prices that cannot reasonably support compliance with the minimum wage.
“The private security service providers are particularly encouraged to consider provisions relating to the procurement of private security services....."
"....... including tender pricing, evaluation criteria, compliance with the applicable statutory minimum wage for private security officers, statutory deductions and other mandatory employment costs,” Okello said.
He said the review should also address measures to prevent companies from winning contracts with bids that are too low to enable them to meet legal obligations to their workers.
The move comes amid concerns in the security industry about how procurement practices affect the welfare and pay of thousands of private security officers employed across the country.
PSRA, a Government agency established under the Private Security Regulation Act, said it was acting on a September 7 letter from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) on the ongoing review of Standard Tender Documents and Formats.
The documents are used in the public procurement and asset disposal system.
The Authority urged private security firms, industry associations and procurement officials to study the documents and submit recommendations to PPRA as part of the review process.
“The Standard Tender Documents and Formats are available on the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority website,” Okello said.
Stakeholders have been given until September 30 to submit their views using a template provided by PPRA.
Submissions must be sent electronically to PPRA, with copies forwarded to PSRA.
The notice was addressed to industry associations including the Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA), Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA), Protective and Safety Association of Kenya (PROSAK), Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) and the Association of North Rift Security Firms.
It was also directed to directors and shareholders of private security companies, chief executive officers, heads of procurement and private security officers.
PSRA said the review would provide an opportunity for the industry to make recommendations on procurement rules affecting private security services and ensure tendering requirements take into account the actual statutory costs of employing security officers.
