While all of Europe is implementing the emergency alert system on locals’ and tourists’ mobile phones, in Cyprus, the issue has become stuck in a process of appeals before the Review Authority for Tenders.
Earthquakes, fires, extreme weather phenomena, like the recent waterspout, can easily be notified with a sound alarm for natural disasters or emergencies, allowing people to wake up, get informed immediately, and primarily protect themselves, their loved ones, and pets.
The effort began in 2020 when the Civil Defense, based on its institutional obligation arising from Article 110 of Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the establishment of the European Electronic Communications Code, which mentions the obligation to install an early warning system by all member states, proposed funding for the project from the European Union through the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
In the Republic of Cyprus, €4.5 million are allocated, secured through a European tender and will be absorbed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Additionally, the maintenance of the equipment is estimated at approximately €1.5 million, a cost covered by the Republic of Cyprus.
The tender was announced on May 6, 2022, with the criterion for awarding being the best price-quality ratio by the bidders.
The deadline for submitting bids was September 30, 2022, the date on which the bids amounted to six.
The evaluation of the bids was completed in May 2023. After the notification of the intention to award the tender to the successful bidder, two economic entities that participated in the tender appealed to the Review Authority for Tenders.
The claim of the applicants referred to the illegal composition of the Evaluation Committee and concerned the presence of a non-member of the Committee throughout the sessions, including the decision-making stage.
The applicants raised issues about the proceedings of the Tender Board meetings, stating that they were not found in the administrative file and were not submitted when requested by the contracting authority.
It has been emphasized by case law, as stated by the applicants, the relevant need for compliance with proper procedures and their disclosure.
Among other things, the decision states: “At a collective body meeting, a person cannot attend unless provided for by law with reference either to some quality or generally, with the extreme case of a public meeting: see the Municipalities Law of 1985 (Law 111/85 as amended by Law 54(I)/92). Otherwise, the composition becomes illegal, resulting in the non-exercise of authority even where the third party does not participate in the proceedings. There is a large number of decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue.”
The process for announcing a new tender is pending before the Review Authority for Tenders, in accordance with the procedures provided for in the relevant legislative framework.
However, the company to which the bid was awarded has frozen the process for two months, appealing the decision and the reasons for its rejection, disclaiming its own responsibilities for any legislative gap, whether foreseen or not, regarding the recording of council or non-member committee proceedings.
Nevertheless, the Civil Defense has proceeded with all necessary preparations for the re-announcement of the tender.
This will depend on the final outcome of the process before the Review Authority for Tenders.
Despite the estimation that no substantial issues were presented with the tender criteria, as there was healthy competition during the initial announcement, some improvements have been made deemed to further assist healthy competition.
The Civil Defense assures that all efforts are being made to implement the early warning system as soon as possible.
Each bidder is selected provided they meet certain eligibility criteria outlined in the tender documents and their system meets all the requirements of the contracting authority.
The responsibility for sending messages for emergencies will lie with Civil Defense, but other services such as the Police, the Fire Service, and other competent services will also be involved, if needed, for the safety and information of the population.
There won’t be a number but there will be a relevant designation of the sender. Before the system starts operating, updates will be provided to the public through various means (here we also need your contribution and cooperation as it is done until today).
Test messages will also be sent after relevant information and announcements to familiarize the public with the process.
A polygon will be selected on the map with the endangered areas, and a message will be sent to all citizens who have reception from mobile phone transmitters in the selected area.
Even foreign subscribers will receive it.
No installation of any application is needed.
As soon as the message is received, a different intense sound will be heard, and the message containing a warning and advice for taking measures will appear on our mobile phone screen.
Citizens will be informed through various means (press conference, presentations, videos, etc.) about the operation of the application. For the deaf, there will be vibration, and they will be able to read the message. For the blind, there is the accessibility settings on smartphones through which the message can be read aloud.
The Commander of Civil Defense, Maria Papa, told Phileleftheros that Civil Defense has set the development and implementation of the early warning system of the population as its top priority and is working towards this goal within the framework determined by the relevant legislative framework.
“We hope,” she noted, “that soon we will be able to proceed with the development of the system because, as is the case in other countries that have already implemented similar early warning systems, it will significantly contribute to the effective protection of citizens.”
The Commander of Civil Defense expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Research and Innovation and Digital Policy and to the Cyprus Office of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation) for their assistance from the beginning of the process.
