NLB bought $3.76million of books from ONE vendor!!!!!!

SINGAPORE: Eight agencies were cited by the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) for lapses in procurement procedures.

Among those highlighted in its report for the Financial Year 2013/14 released on Thursday (July 17) was the National Library Board (NLB)'s computerised system, implemented in 2012. The system, meant to help the selection and acquisition of books from its panel of vendors "with minimal human intervention", suffered from "logic flaws and inadequacies", according to the AGO.

Between December 2012 and October 2013, library materials worth S$3.76 million were purchased from the only vendor recommending the title through the computerised system, without giving other vendors a chance to enter a quote. "By doing so, there was no assurance of value for money," said the AGO.

Test checks the AGO conducted on 249 titles showed that had other vendors been allowed to enter a quote, the NLB would have saved S$6,000. "The AGO's concern is not so much the amount of savings for these 249 titles; rather, by design, the system does not enable the NLB to get the best price for such purchases. Over time, the amount of savings could be significant."

Also, because of the logic flaws in the system, 61 purchases were made from a vendor which quoted higher prices and a longer lead time than another vendor.

In response, the NLB said that by the end of FY2014/15, the system would be enhanced to allow vendors to view the publications recommended by other vendors, and enter bids within a 14-day window. The scoring methods for price and delivery time would also be revised, it said.

In the report, the Ministry of Education, Singapore Civil Defence Force, National Heritage Board, Health Sciences Authority, Central Provident Fund Board, National Council of Social Service and Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board were also cited for lapses in procurement procedures.

- CNA/es

This is not the first time the Auditor-General has highlighted financial discrepancies in Singapore's public institutions. I remember there was one year when Mindef had it quite bad.

But what are they going to do about it? It's like it is getting worse every year.

lol lol lol

When are they going to call a spade a spade.
The spade is called CORRUPTION.
If it is not CORRUPTION, then it is INCOMPETENCE - and heads must roll!.
All these bloody play of words and putting on a clean face to the world that we are clean.
Oops, daydreaming. Silly me.

Confuseous said:

When are they going to call a spade a spade.
The spade is called CORRUPTION.
If it is not CORRUPTION, then it is INCOMPETENCE - and heads must roll!.
All these bloody play of words and putting on a clean face to the world that we are clean.
Oops, daydreaming. Silly me.

Click to expand...

You make noise...your head will roll. These people are rolling all the way to bank every month....

Despite it all GeBiz is open to being manipulated to benefit a few.

In response, the NLB said that by the end of FY2014/15, the system would be enhanced to allow vendors to view the publications recommended by other vendors, and enter bids within a 14-day window. The scoring methods for price and delivery time would also be revised, it said.

What a big piece of BS. The system was designed to benefit he few. And they need two years to 'develop' a system? Is there no other system in the world that we can replicate? What is so unique about the system for NLB in Singapore.

It took them just two days to decide to pulp some books - and 2 years to amend an existing system?

laksaboy said:

This is not the first time the Auditor-General has highlighted financial discrepancies in Singapore's public institutions. I remember there was one year when Mindef had it quite bad.

But what are they going to do about it? It's like it is getting worse every year.

Click to expand...

Was that the $50m missing under KFC watch as defense ministar?

Hoha a bit then cover up liao.

laksaboy said:

...........It's like it is getting worse every year.

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This is the outcome of LKY's version of meritocracy or rather meritocracy with LKY's characteristics.

If GeBiz is so darn good, how is that possible for oversights and et al? When buyers and vendors are in cahoots with one another, even committee scrutiny will not be able to detect wrongdoing. One infamous example, a newspaper editor chance upon seeing a secret paper underneath other documents held by another party who somehow need to excuse himself to relieve his body fluids. Lol.

It's good to see the Singapore government operating such a transparent system.

Confuseous said:

In response, the NLB said that by the end of FY2014/15, the system would be enhanced to allow vendors to view the publications recommended by other vendors, and enter bids within a 14-day window. The scoring methods for price and delivery time would also be revised, it said.

What a big piece of BS. The system was designed to benefit he few. And they need two years to 'develop' a system? Is there no other system in the world that we can replicate? What is so unique about the system for NLB in Singapore.

It took them just two days to decide to pulp some books - and 2 years to amend an existing system?

Click to expand...

There is a long forgotten allegation by somebody about NLB awarding a computerization job to a US company with a flimsy presence here and no special competence in the area. Reminiscent of AIM , but never went further.

laksaboy said:

This is not the first time the Auditor-General has highlighted financial discrepancies in Singapore's public institutions. I remember there was one year when Mindef had it quite bad.

But what are they going to do about it? It's like it is getting worse every year.

Click to expand...

MINDEF had rule breaker Phillip Noel Yeo to shoulder the blame.........

Singapore Polytechnic library has similar profile
Although manager of acquisition is empowered, director of library always tags along buyiung inter alia, magazines, AV media she personally like or need.
She pays with her credit card and the points therefrom go where?
What about those hampers frequently sent to her home? Huat ah........

Leckmichamarsch said:

Singapore Polytechnic library has similar profile
Although manager of acquisition is empowered, director of library always tags along buyiung inter alia, magazines, AV media she personally like or need.
She pays with her credit card and the points therefrom go where?
What about those hampers frequently sent to her home? Huat ah........

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I heard from grapevine that new books are stored away when shelves not available & after awhile they get pulped!
What a sheer waste of our money..........& yet the director of library has never missed a year without fat performance bonus.
Something is screwed up with our system - splurge money & still get promoted/rewarded. Ony in Singapore!!

Huh? This fellow also has TWO English names?

LOL .........................................

Leckmichamarsch said:

MINDEF had rule breaker Phillip Noel Yeo to shoulder the blame.........

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jw5 said:

Huh? This fellow also has TWO English names?

LOL .........................................

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both from church: one City & the other Harvest Church

Confuseous said:

In response, the NLB said that by the end of FY2014/15, the system would be enhanced to allow vendors to view the publications recommended by other vendors, and enter bids within a 14-day window. The scoring methods for price and delivery time would also be revised, it said.

What a big piece of BS. The system was designed to benefit he few. And they need two years to 'develop' a system? Is there no other system in the world that we can replicate? What is so unique about the system for NLB in Singapore.

It took them just two days to decide to pulp some books - and 2 years to amend an existing system?

Click to expand...

2 years fast liaoz... look at the mrt screen door. after how many death then they finally do something.

Leongsam said:

It's good to see the Singapore government operating such a transparent system.

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Of course it is transparent, for every one does not see the dirt, & see through everything...it is transparent. Like Schultz in Hogan's Heroes " I saw nothing, hear nothing"..it is transparent. They are honest too, they honestly do not tell the lies they perpetuate...so every one acts the same, that this is transparent too.

We do have a transparent, honest system & government.

laksaboy said:

This is not the first time.......discrepancies in Singapore's public institutions......
But what are they going to do about it? It's like it is getting worse every year.

Click to expand...

Good point.
I guess they are too busy fixing the opposition on matters like trade fairs license, hawker centres roof cleaning and audits of AHPTC-and of course the word flip-flop.