Dhaka, Oct. 19 -- The government risks paying an additional $31 million from the public purse for operations and maintenance of Bangladesh's first Single Point Mooring (SPM), facility after taxes and VAT were added to the winning bidder's original offer, despite tender provisions requiring such charges to be included in the bid price.

The contract value for the operation and maintenance (O&M) was raised from US$128 million to US$159 million, an increase of around 24.2 percent, according to sources familiar with the procurement process.

Indonesia's PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental (PTK) emerged as the lowest evaluated bidder with an offer of US$128 million, including VAT and taxes, and was subsequently awarded the contract.

However, the e...