JCF clears the air on funeral home arrangement

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is seeking to clear the air over the awarding of contracts to some funeral homes.

Over the past few days, concerns have been expressed about bodies being transferred from one parish to another for post mortems, and a longer process for post mortems to be done.

Concerns also lingered about the length of time it was taking to collect bodies from crime scenes.

In a statement on Thursday, the JCF said in keeping with Government's procurement procedures and guidelines, it conducted a public tender to identify competent funeral homes, and to establish formal contracts.

The JCF said the tender was advertised in the newspapers.

All tenders received were opened on the scheduled closing date, August 28.

The JCF added that present at the opening were 12 persons from various funeral homes, and four persons from the JCF Finance Branch.

Three funeral homes disqualified

Fifteen submissions were opened and checked for valid Tax Compliance Certificates and National Contracts Committee (NCC) certificates.

The Force noted that of the 15, three funeral homes were disqualified for failure to provide valid NCC certificates, as requested in the tender advertisement.

Several funeral homes, which had previously provided services, did not respond to the tender, thereby rendering them ineligible to conduct further business for the JCF.

The JCF said a schedule was prepared on the maximum prices that would have been considered for the various services.

One-year contracts were only awarded to funeral homes which participated in the tender process.

The JCF said the tender process will be repeated in May next year.