Airports books case

SIR — No attempt was made to obtain any comment or response from the Airports Company SA (Acsa) on the impending litigation with Exclusive Books (Exclusive Books readies for next court fight to keep airport stores, June 29).

No attempt was also made to understand the basis of our appeal against the judgment by the High Court in Johannesburg.

It is necessary to correct a couple of incorrect allegations contained in the article. There is an insinuation that the successful bidder, Amger Retailing, gained the contract through dubious means by stating it was only set up “two days” before the request for bids. Amger is in fact a special purpose vehicle specifically formed by a number of parties with solid track records in the book retailing space.

It must be further noted that Acsa issues open retail tenders at sevenyear intervals for the food and beverage category, and every five years for all other categories, under which Exclusive Books is classified.

Length of service at any of our airports does not guarantee reissuing or extension of retail contracts.

The winning bidder has the necessary experience and meets all the functional criteria as laid down in Acsa’s procurement policy. Exclusive Books did not qualify as the highest bidder and took the matter to court for a fair and objective review by the courts. The court will now review the entire evaluation criteria applied by the bid evaluation committee.

We have respected this court process and are responding to it within the confines of the law.

It is worth noting that we still value the relationship we have with Exclusive Books, as is evident by the fact that they continue to occupy retail space at our King Shaka International Airport and at OR Tambo International Airport’s domestic departures hall. Refentse Shinners Acsa group executive: corporate affairs