DOTC sets for MRT 3 systems upgrade

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is set to bid out next month a P836.5 million contract to upgrade the ancillary systems of the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3) along Edsa.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the project was in line with the P3.8 billion MRT3 capacity expansion project involving the acquisition of 48 brand new trains that was awarded to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock of China.

 â€œAs we increase MRT-3’s capacity in order to improve its facilities and provide better services to more passengers, we need to upgrade its ancillary systems as well. With our policy of open and transparent bidding, we know that competition will lead to a more advantageous deal, and therefore, more savings for government,” Abaya said.

In an invitation to bid, the DOTC said the project would cover the upgrade of traction power sub-station and depot facilities as well as the construction of  North Ave.  turn back and Taft pocket track extension.

The agency is giving interested bidders until June 11 to submit their bid proposals.

To qualify, the DOTC said prospective bidders must have an experience of having completed at least one contract that is similar to the project and whose value adjusted to current prices must be at least 50 percent of the approved budget for contract.

The agency added that the bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens or sole proprietorships, partnerships or organizations with at least 75 percent interest owned by citizens of the  Philippines.

The government is set to adopt an open competitive bidding procedure using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria as specified in the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Dalian Locomotive submitted a bid of P3.759 billion or P10 million lower than the indicative price of P3.769 billion for the MRT3 capacity expansion project. Another Chinese firm CSR Zhouzhou was disqualified by the DOTC.

Under the expansion program, the government would acquire 48 new trains to be able to use a four-car trains that would arrive every 2.5 minutes during peak hours from the current system wherein three-car trains arrive every three minutes during peak hours.