DOTC extends deadline anew for P3.4-B LTO-IT project bids

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has extended the deadline for the submission of bids for the P3.44-billion Land Transportation Office information technology system project for the second time to give interested companies more time to prepare their bids. 

Transportation Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said moving the submission and opening of bid proposals to April 8 instead of March 19 would give bidders more time to prepare their documents. 

“It is reiterated that in order to give ample time for the bidders to study the bidding documents and prepare a responsive tender, the deadline for the submission and scheduled opening of bids for the project is on April 8,” he said.

The deadline, originally scheduled last Feb. 18, was postponed to March 19.

The DOTC has decided to slash the cost of the LTO-IT system project to P3.44 billion instead of P8.2 billion after two failed biddings.

The project involves the customization, development, integration, procurement, supply, delivery, installation, implementation, service and maintenance of the information and communications technology system of the agency.

The winning bidder would design and implement the required databases; establish or set up the LTO Data Center; supply, deliver, test, document, and install appropriate computing products and other resources relative to the implementation of the project on DOTC or LTO-IT infrastructure and environment facilities; and deliver all hardware peripherals with software and corresponding licenses in the name of DOTC and warranties to efficiently run the system.

Likewise, the winning bidder would also operate and maintain of the IT service delivery for LTO within the period of the contract and identify key processes and systems for the improvement, efficiency, and security of the DOTC or LTO processing.

Once the system is put in place, the DOTC said it would be easier for authorities to recover stolen vehicles, trace smuggled vehicles, prevent double registration, and monitor unregistered vehicles. 

The agency added that the project would implement a server-based solutions based on an existing system that covers the motor vehicle registration system; drivers’ licensing system; law enforcement and traffic adjudication system; revenue collection system; and executive information system.

The DOTC declared a failure of bidding last July after the financial proposals submitted by the three bidders failed to meet the agency’s requirement.

All three bidders – Digitext Asia Corp., Fritz and Macziol Asia and Eurolink Network – failed to pass the post-qualification proceedings in line with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.

Last Nov. 26, the DOTC conducted the bidding for the multi-billion peso project after five out of the nine companies that purchased bid documents participated in the open and transparent procurement process.

Digitext Asia submitted the lowest bid of P3.8 billion followed by Fritz and Macziol Asia with P5.3 billion, and Eurolink Network with P5.8 billion.The bids submitted by Kaisa Consulting and Ceragon Network were not opened because of lack of technical requirements.

The four other companies which purchased bidding documents but did not participate in the bidding were Stradcom Smartmatic, Oberthur Technologies and Indra Sistemas SA.