DOTC defers opening of bids for LRT-1 contracts

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has deferred the opening of bids for two contracts to rehabilitate Line 1 of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) scheduled on March 28, citing the need to resolve some legal and technical issues on the projects before proceeding with the bidding.

In its special bid bulletin dated March 20, DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said that the department has postponed the opening of bids for projects 3 and 5 under the P1.062 billion LRT safety, reliability and capacity improvement projects.

“Considering the paramount need to properly and decisively resolve all pending technical issues in order to ensure not only the success of the procurement process but of the above-stated projects themselves for the benefit of the riding public, the deadline for the submission, receipt and opening of bids of the said projects is hereby postponed indefinitely,” he said.

Project 3 which involves the procurement of modified bogie frames (motor and trailer truck frames) costs P184 million, while Project 5 valued at P197 million, covers the restoration of 14 LRT 1 units.

LRT Authority (LRTA) Spokesperson Hernando Cabrera said in a telephone interview at the weekend that the opening of bids for projects 3 and 5 scheduled on March 28 was postponed due to technical and legal issues that needed to be resolved.

“There are many legal and technical issues which we need to resolve before we can resume the bidding,” he said.

Among the issues which had to be dealt with, he said, is the concern raised by the original manufacturer of the bogie frames on copyright.

“The original manufacturer is questioning the bidding saying that they have copyright on the spare parts of the train,” he said.

The original manufacturer, he also said, has raised concerns on whether other interested firms to take part in the project can ensure that the spare parts they will provide for the train are safe.

He said the postponement of the opening bids will allow the government to avoid the failure of bidding as well as failure of the projects.

The government had earlier scheduled the opening bids of projects 3 and 5 on Feb. 22 but it was moved to February 27 on the request of interested firms who failed to submit their bids last year.

The opening of the bids was again moved to March 14, but the opening did not push through as planned due to technical issues concerning the projects.

Bids for projects 1, 2 and 4 meanwhile, have already been opened.

Project 1 which involves rail replacement costs P381 million, while Project 2 which covers systematic replacement of gantry anchor bolts is valued at P150 million.

Project 4 which is worth P150 million, covers the rehabilitation of LRT coaches.

Cabrera said the LRTA was evaluating offers for project 4, while it is set to issue a resolution on the motion for reconsideration filed by disqualified firms for projects 1 and 2.

“The announcement for the award of projects 1, 2 and 4 will be made in April,” he said.

LRT Line 1 runs from Roosevelt station in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay City.

The National Economic and Development Authority Board last week approved the extension of LRT Line 1 from Baclaran station to the province of Cavite.

The extension project is valued at P60 billion.

DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II had said the bidding for the LRT Line 1 extension project will start in several weeks.

He also said that once the project is completed, LRT Line 1 will serve about 40,000 passengers per day.