DOTr urges use of online platform

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is requiring its procurement office and prospective bidders for projects to use online platforms in procurement processes except submission of bids, pre-bidding, opening of bids and conduct of post qualification.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the move, through Department Order 2017-017, would facilitate and automate the process of procurement under the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act. 

“To encourage participation of bidders, it is imperative that the bidding process of the department be made adaptable to the advances in modern technology,” he said.

Under the order, all written communications and correspondences for procurement activities would be done through the official email account to be set up by the DOTr’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) secretariat.

During the pre-bid conference, prospective bidders are required to register their respective business email addresses or that of their authorized representatives to be used for procurement-related communications and correspondences.

Among the business correspondences include requests for clarification, request for the signing of contract and request to submit performance bond. 

The DOTr said notices such as BAC meetings, single/lowest calculated bidder, submission of post-qualification documents and award of contract and notice to proceed would likewise be sent through the BAC email.