LTO-IT bidder appeals DOTC decision

MANILA, Philippines - The bidder that submitted the lowest offer in the Department of Transportation and Communications-Information Technology (DOTC-IT) project is contesting the decision of the DOTC bids and awards committee (DOTC-BAC), saying the government stands to lose P1.5 billion by rejecting its offer.

The joint venture Digitext Asia Corp, Trimax IT Infrastructure and Services and Newtech Media Solutions and Trading Corp. on Monday filed a motion for consideration of the DOTC’s  decision as “not only contrary to law and unsupported by records, but most importantly, it would result in the government’s foregone savings of P1.5 billion. “

Lawyer Freidrick Lu, spokesperson of the joint venture, said the DOTC’s bids and awards committee (BAC) erred in its report that Newtech Media Solutions, one of the joint venture companies, did not have a mayor’s permit at the time of the bidding.

Lu asserted that in fact, they submitted such document to the DOTC-BAC prior to the opening of the bids last November.

“We firmly believe that the DOTC-BAC erred when it post-disqualified us despite the joint venture’s compliance with the stringent rules set forth by the DOTC-BAC in its Terms of Reference, both in the eligibility and technical aspect, thereof.” Lu said.

According to LU, all concerns and issues, both in the eligibility and technical aspects of the projects were already raised and discussed by the joint venture with the DOTC-BAC earlier in the bidding process.

“We are really disappointed over the decision of the DOTC-BAC to disqualify us at this stage of the bidding process,” Lu said.

The joint venture, after a thorough review of its eligibility documents to bid for the DOTC-IT, tendered the lowest bid at P3.8 billion to establish and operate a new IT system for the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The joint venture’s bid was P1.5 billion lower than the second lowest bidder and half the price of the government’s estimated cost of P8 billion for the project.

According to Lu, the joint venture’s bid of P 3.8 billion is feasible and viable to establish and maintain a globally competitive IT system for the LTO.

“The joint venture does not only have a vast network of suppliers globally, but it also has an extensive experience in IT development for the transportation industry.” Lu said, adding that, “Trimax currently operates India’s Transportation Industry’s IT system.”

“We hope the DOTC-BAC will reconsider its earlier decision to post-disqualify us since,aside from the Joint Venture substantial compliance with the stringent requirements of  the DOTC-BAC,  disqualifying us would result in foregone savings of P1.5 billion for the government.” Lu stressed.