STAFF at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) headquarters in Kim Seng Road can expect designer chairs at their workplace soon.
The ministry is buying 472 Herman Miller chairs (photo), each priced at $575, for general office use for its staff. The chairs, which are not delivered yet, will cost $271,400 in total.
Herman Miller, an American manufacturer of office furniture and equipment, is famous for producing furniture in the modernist style.
An MOM spokesman confirmed in a statement yesterday that it has awarded a tender for the supply and delivery of the ergonomically designed chairs.
The chair model is called Celle, known for its cellular suspension system which supports the back and lumbar region.
In evaluating the tenders submitted, the MOM spokesman said, various factors were considered, such as the ergonomic design, durability and value for money. 'Taking all these factors into account, the successful tenderer met our requirements and offered the best value for money over the lifespan of the chairs.'
extracted from the straits times
Do you think a cash-rich statutory board should pay $575 for a branded chair for its staff?
HM chairs are not known for low prices because it is a "designer" product, and how does one come to a conclusion that $575 is the best value for money?:think:
Instead of those cheap chairs (those below $150) there should be some good chairs that cost around $250? Why not look for those best value chairs for $250?
If MOM is justified to make such conclusion, can all the other Statutory Boards/Ministries (all are damned cash-rich) make the same call? iPads/iPhone for staff? OSIMs, 3D tv? these are also "value for money" items if you call for a tender for 1,000 units! I don't think this is right :dunno:
What do you think? :think: I hope these chairs are not made/assembled in a third world country.
The ministry is buying 472 Herman Miller chairs (photo), each priced at $575, for general office use for its staff. The chairs, which are not delivered yet, will cost $271,400 in total.
Herman Miller, an American manufacturer of office furniture and equipment, is famous for producing furniture in the modernist style.
An MOM spokesman confirmed in a statement yesterday that it has awarded a tender for the supply and delivery of the ergonomically designed chairs.
The chair model is called Celle, known for its cellular suspension system which supports the back and lumbar region.
In evaluating the tenders submitted, the MOM spokesman said, various factors were considered, such as the ergonomic design, durability and value for money. 'Taking all these factors into account, the successful tenderer met our requirements and offered the best value for money over the lifespan of the chairs.'
extracted from the straits times
Do you think a cash-rich statutory board should pay $575 for a branded chair for its staff?
HM chairs are not known for low prices because it is a "designer" product, and how does one come to a conclusion that $575 is the best value for money?:think:
Instead of those cheap chairs (those below $150) there should be some good chairs that cost around $250? Why not look for those best value chairs for $250?
If MOM is justified to make such conclusion, can all the other Statutory Boards/Ministries (all are damned cash-rich) make the same call? iPads/iPhone for staff? OSIMs, 3D tv? these are also "value for money" items if you call for a tender for 1,000 units! I don't think this is right :dunno:
What do you think? :think: I hope these chairs are not made/assembled in a third world country.
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