BRIEFS. Business

Police pursue a new food provider

As their $3.8 million contract with Niko's Café comes to an end later this year, the police are on the lookout for a company to take over their orders for “prepared food” during the coming year.

Two weeks ago, Police Chief Jaime Ruiz, sent a letter to then Ministro de Gobierno y Justicia Daniel Delgado Diamante in which he expressed growing apprehension for the expiring contract.

“We are concerned by the fact that beginning January 1, 2009, we must have a new food supplier [...] and following the proper procedure for selecting contractors in a solicitation of bids could further delay the process,” said the letter.

Nevertheless, Ruiz indicated that there were two options available to them.

“We will either open a public tender or publish an ad online with Panamacompra saying that we intend to negotiate the contract directly with our current contractor,” he added.

The official sent the note after having received a bid proposal from Niko's Café, in which they made clear their desire to extend their contract with the police force.

Ruiz’s roundabout request was for Delgado’s authorization to renew the contract with Niko’s Café for two more years, which would run into the new administration following next May’s presidential elections.

When questioned yesterday by La Prensa, Ruiz claimed that in his letter, dated October 17, he indicated that there would be a public bidding process, but did not mention an opening date.

Ruiz said he would have to consult the current minister, Rodrigo Cigarruista, who was appointed to stand in for Delgado Diamante last week.