Sierra Leone’s Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) has ruled that the Free Education Project Secretariat (FEPS) acted unfairly in disqualifying Rolaan Enterprises from a World Bank–funded textbook procurement, ordering that the company’s bid be re-evaluated within seven days.
The decision follows an appeal lodged by Rolaan Enterprises on Aug. 27, 2025, after the FEPS Procurement Committee rejected its bid for the design, layout, editorial work and distribution of technical and learning materials for primary schools under procurement number SL-MBSSE-483324-GO-RFB.
The IPRP found that the committee wrongly disqualified Rolaan Enterprises for allegedly failing to verify its ISO certification. According to the panel, the evaluation team relied on a QR code instead of checking the website address printed on the certificate, and failed to seek clarification from the bidder as required by Section 53(5) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2016.
“The decision to disqualify Rolaan Enterprises is unfair, wrong and negligently done,” the panel stated, directing that the company’s submission be re-evaluated with an observer from either the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) or the Anti-Corruption Commission present.
The panel also rebuked the FEPS procurement committee for claiming that World Bank procurement guidelines took precedence over Sierra Leone’s national law. It clarified that “a guideline could not override the laws of the country” and that, in cases of conflict, the PPA 2016 must take priority.
The appeal stemmed from a June 14, 2025 bid notice by the Free Education Project Secretariat inviting tenders for the supply of educational materials, financed by the World Bank. Of seven bids received, three advanced to the technical evaluation stage before Rolaan Enterprises was eliminated.
The Free Education Project is part of a multi-million-dollar initiative jointly financed by the World Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone to expand access to quality basic education. Launched under the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), the program supports school infrastructure, teacher training, and the distribution of learning materials to primary and junior secondary schools nationwide.
The IPRP, established under Sections 20 and 65 of the Public Procurement Act 2016, reviews complaints from bidders dissatisfied with decisions of public procurement entities.
