Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the controlling authority of air traffic in Bangladesh, has to pay about Tk 7 million extra to up-grade its 17-year old AFTN-AMSS due to some alleged 'paradoxical' conditions in tender.

In March 2012, the aviation authorities floated a tender for procuring the subject communication system- AFTN-AMSS (Automatic Fixed Telecommunication Network-Automatic Message Switching System), which was brought from France, sources said.

Officials connected to the bidding process alleged that the tender was designed as local one though different products including hardware, software and engineering expertise needed for the system is not available locally.

The officials further claimed that the tender was designed to favour a particular company.

However, a high official of CAAB seeking anonymity told the FE, "The allegation is totally false and ill-motivated."

The official mentioned several reasons behind floating the 'AFTN' tender as local one. In the context of international tender, when dollar is devalued, the projected budget of a work failed to cover its expense.

Citing necessity of finishing the AFTN work by November 14 this year, he said that if the work is not completed by the date, air communications with other countries might be seriously hampered, he continued.

That's why the tender was fast called as a local one that will save time in completing the work, he added.

When, Director of CAAB's Central Engineering Maintenance and Stores Unit (CEMSU) Md Yeakub Ali Patwary was contacted over mobile phone at about 12:10 pm on Tuesday, he said, "I cannot say anything about the tender process now as I am at a meeting."

Then, the FE correspondent sought his convenient time to further contact him. He suggested 4:00 pm of Tuesday. From the recommended time, Mr Patwary was called several times for his comments but he didn't receive it. He was also contacted on earlier day, Monday, but got unavailable.

About 6 to 7 offers were made by April 12, 2012, the deadline, sources said.

Among the companies, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), a foreign company, through a local bidder offered to do the work at Tk 28 million, an official of the company said and termed the his company as the lowest bidder.

The next lower bidder offered it at Tk 35 million, 7 million more than the earlier bidder's offer, the official added.