DOTC delays opening of ICT project bids

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has moved the opening of bids for the P8.2 billion information and communications technology (ICT) system for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to next month instead of this month.

“To accommodate the requests of various parties to extend the period within which to submit their respective bids, and therefore encourage wider participation from the private sector in the bidding process, the Bids and Awards Committee has decided to move the opening of bids from May 16, 2012 at 1 p.m., to June 6, 2012 at 1.p.m.,” DOTC undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said in a general bid bulletin dated May 8.

He said firms interested in the project may submit their bids before June 6 at the DOTC office in Columbia Tower in Mandaluyong City.

Given the extension period to submit bids, late bids will not be accepted.

The DOTC is looking for a new ICT solutions provider for the LTO as an existing automation contract with Stradcom Corp. will expire in February next year.

The project will involve the development, integration, procurement, supply, delivery, installation, implementation as well as operations, service and maintenance of the ICT system of the LTO.

To qualify for the project, bidders must have been involved in at least two similar contracts to the IT infrastructure project within the last 10 years prior to the date of submission of their bids.

Work on the project will start this year until January of next year, when the delivery, installation and implementation of the ICT system is required.

DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said earlier that once the new system is completed, it should be able to handle about 18 million transactions per day.

At the pre-bid conference held last month, more than 100 firms expressed interest in the project.