KazNU Responds to Controversial Public Procurement Listing

The administration of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) has provided clarification to Orda.kz regarding a widely discussed public procurement listing worth 1.99 billion tenge, published on the government’s procurement portal.

In February, KazNU announced a tender for "cleaning services for buildings, premises, territory, and similar facilities." However, the tender was canceled twice and has now been posted for the third time.

According to the university, the amount also covers a wide range of essential maintenance services. KazNU currently operates 35 buildings, including academic facilities and student dormitories, that require year-round care.

The total area of the buildings is 352,749 square meters. The serviced area is 730,000 square meters, which requires significant resources and coordinated work from staff,the university explained to Orda.kz. 

Additionally, the tender includes complete technical and sanitary maintenance of the university infrastructure. Specifically, the scope of services includes:

• Maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning systems
• Technical support for heating, water supply, and sanitation
• Landscaping and minor outdoor maintenance (watering, cleanup, etc.) 
• Routine repairs and sanitation of buildings
• Seasonal services such as snow removal
• Ensuring compliance with labor safety, fire, and electrical safety standards
• Disinfection and sanitary measures
• Maintenance of building facades and internal systems
• Other auxiliary services as required by law and regulations

If you divide 1.99 billion tenge across all university facilities, it averages out to about 56.9 million tenge per building per year. That's roughly 4.7 million tenge per month per building, which includes not only cleaning but the full range of technical and sanitary work, along with the salaries of technical personnel, the university noted. 

Despite the explanation, KazNU has previously faced public backlash over large expenditures. In 2021, the administration planned to allocate 11 billion tenge for maintaining university buildings. That same year, the university was criticized for spending 22 million tenge on just two bio-toilets.

Original Author: Aliya Askarova