Review Report on the Lump Sum Grant Subvention ... - lwb.gov.hk

ureaux and departments to adopt a two-stage tendering process, whereby only thosebidders meeting the basic requirements in the first “qualification” stage may proceedto the submit full proposals in the second stage. Where appropriate, the SWD mayconsider adopting this or similar practices to simplify the bidding process for welfareservices.Recommendation 26The SWD should look into the possibility of simplifying the process for the allocationof new services, such as introducing a two-stage tendering process, so that resourcescan be saved both in the preparation of service proposals and in the vetting of theproposals.5.49 Given the flexibility for NGOs to deploy resources, some service users andfrontline staff are also concerned about how the SWD may monitor the commitmentsmade by NGOs in successful bids.5.50 The IRC understands that all new services are granted to NGOs bytime-limited FSAs. Each FSA sets out clearly the service requirements, includingthe NGO’s own commitments in submitting its service proposal. The NGO isrequired to regularly submit statistical information on service provision andself-assessment reports to the SWD, and SWD officers will also conduct on-siteinspections to ensure that the NGO has complied with the FSA requirements. Incase of non-compliance, the NGO will have to formulate improvement plans.Renewal of the FSA at the end of the service period is subject to satisfactory serviceperformance and service demand. In brief, the same quality assurance mechanismapplies to both existing and new services. This should ensure that service users’interests will not be compromised even in the case of competitive bidding. We shalldiscuss this mechanism is greater detail in Chapter 7.BIPs5.51 As mentioned in Chapter 3, the SWD launched in 2001 a BIP Scheme tohelp NGOs improve service quality, efficiency and responsiveness in the LSGenvironment. The BIP Scheme is financed by the LF, and each NGO can apply forup to $4 million to implement one or more projects which meet the objectives of thescheme. More specifically, these projects are required to focus on organisationalimprovement, efficiency in administration and service delivery as well as servicere-engineering.- 73 -