Published: 09:50 AM, 14 August 2026
DPDC UHF radio tender under scrutiny over transparency concerns
Questions over transparency and possible favouritism have surfaced over a Tk 7.20-crore tender floated by Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) to procure a UHF radio communication system, with concerns centring on the tender specifications, unusually tight pre-bid scheduling and subsequent changes to the procurement process. According to DPDC documents, an international tender under package G/CE-SCS/25-26/007 was floated on July 15 to convert the existing VHF communication system in the southern region to UHF. The tender was published at 9:00am, while the pre-bid meeting was scheduled for 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the same day—leaving prospective bidders barely five hours to obtain the tender documents, study the technical requirements and prepare queries.
Stakeholders have questioned whether potential bidders could reasonably review the documents and formulate technical and commercial queries within such a short timeframe.
The original deadline for bid submission was July 30, with bids scheduled to be opened on August 2. The bid-opening date was subsequently revised to August 6.
Questions have also been raised over alleged changes to financial conditions and the absence of publicly available information on the number of bidders and which bidders were considered “responsive.” The estimated cost of the project is Tk 7.20 crore, with a bid security of Tk 15 lakh. The project is being funded by DPDC.
The most significant concerns relate to the tender's technical specifications. According to allegations raised by stakeholders, the tender specifies proprietary technologies associated with Motorola, including Capacity Plus, Capacity Max and Connect Plus, alongside the widely used Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) standard.
Technology experts said equipment from brands such as Icom, Hytera, Tait and Kenwood may support the DMR standard but may not be fully compatible with Motorola's proprietary protocols.
They said such requirements could potentially narrow competition and favour specific brands, despite the tender being formally open to competition.
The mandatory requirement for Wi-Fi support in base radios has also raised questions over its necessity for the project.
Energy and procurement expert Prof Shamsul Alam said the need for Wi-Fi and brand-specific technologies should be carefully reconsidered. “An analysis of the tender specifications and schedule raises questions about the possibility of favouring a particular brand,” he said, calling for the matter to be reviewed at the highest level. Attempts were made to contact Habibun Nahar, Managing Director (Additional Charge) of DPDC, and Md Robiul Hasan, Executive Director (ICT & Procurement), for their comments.
Neither official responded to repeated phone calls.
SMS messages were also sent seeking their comments, but no response was received before the report was filed
However, a senior DPDC official told The Asian Age that there was no scope to favour any particular brand in the procurement process.
The official said the SCADA department could provide details regarding the tender, adding that he was unaware whether the pre-bid meeting had been held on the same day the tender was published.
