Bidding for P890M tri-level pass project reset

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reset the bidding of the P890 million tri-level pass—flyovers, interchanges and underpass—at the intersection of UN Avenue (Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge) and Plaridel Street in Mandaue City.

Engineer Nonie Paylado, chief of planning and design of DPWH-7, has made the announcement Tuesday during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza. The DPWH-7 Bids and Awards Committee rescheduled the bidding on October 18, which was originally set for October 23.

During the pre-bid conference on September 20, the BAC issued the supplemental bulletin moving the opening of bid documents to October 4.

However, some contractors asked to move it to another date so the BAC decided to have the bidding on October 11.

Another request was received by BAC secretariat last Friday for another extension, prompting the committee to move it on October 18.

Paylado explained that they need to have the bidding conducted before the year ends so that the fund would not be reverted to the general fund.   With the new schedule, he said it would give them enough time should there be failure of bidding and motions for reconsideration.

The schedule set by DPWH was earlier questioned for being “confusing” and the period from the last day of publication which was September 8 is short of days from the maximum of 50-day requirement in the Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

But BAC chairman Juby Cordon said the mere fact that the period provided is within the maximum period allowed already in conformity with the requirement.

On the moving of the opening of bids from October 23 to October 11 but the buying of bid documents remains until October 23, Cordon said that while supplemental bid Bulletin No. 3 failed to include the rescheduling of the buying of bids, logic alone dictates that the said buying of bids would also be until October 11 only.

“In any event, this above issue has already become moot and academic in view of the issuance of Supplemental Bid No. 4 on October 4, 2017 wherein the Dropping and Opening of bids, as well as the Deadline of Buying of Bids Docs were both moved to October 18, 2017,” said Cordon in a letter addressed to The Freeman.

The Dropping and Opening of Bids will be held on October 18 at 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Conference Room of DPWH Regional Office VII at the South Road Properties, Cebu City. (FREEMAN)