Davide defends BAC on bidding “controversy”

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has defended the Capitol's Bids and Awards Committee after some prospective bidders for the P254-million heavy equipment questioned its bidding requirements.

 Davide defended the BAC officials saying "the BAC is just following the procurement law."

 "It's not fair to say that sobra ra ka-strict ang BAC. In fact, we are just following the law. Kun di sila (kauyon) di sila mopadayon," he said.

 The Capitol BAC requires all interested suppliers for the current bid to strictly comply with the G7 standard required for the equipment needed.

 Group of Seven (G7) is an international organization officially established in 1985 to facilitate economic cooperation among the world's largest industrial nations which include Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

 Davide said the suppliers cannot blame the BAC officials to impose the requirement as they want only to acquire "quality" equipment for the province.

 "It's just right to look for quality equipment. We want the acquisition advantageous to the provincial government. Similar to buying materials and clothes na mamili ta'g quality," he said, adding that the BAC should also note the concerns and questions of the prospective bidders.

 One of the participants present during the pre-bidding conference asked what particular countries are identified to produce G7 standard heavy equipment.

 Capitol BAC member, lawyer Donato Villa Jr., replied to the query by saying, "China is and will also be considered with G7 standard and acceptable, provided that it was recognized by US government."

 This raised eyebrows of some suppliers who are now suspecting that the bidding process would still favor China-made equipment suppliers, apparently referring to ConEquip Philippines, which won in the bidding earlier this year despite posting the most expensive bid of P250 million.

 The supplier also questioned why the specifications provided by the BAC for the new bidding are so detailed citing that even the specifications on the brand and model of the equipment to be acquired has been indicated.

 The BAC held the pre-bidding conference on November 2. This bidding was the second call for heavy equipment suppliers after the previous bid was declared as failed.

 Five suppliers were identified to bid for the Capitol's purchase of heavy equipment. The suppliers are TKC Heavy Industries in Cebu; RDAK Transport Equipment in Cebu- ConEquip Philippines in Cebu.; JVF Commercial in Manila; Civic Merchandizing Inc; D' Limitless Vehicle Ventures Corp.

 All of them, except the D' Limitless, participated in the first bidding.

 Last July, Davide declared a "failure of bidding" for the purchase of P254 million worth of heavy equipment to dispel all doubts on the integrity of procurement at the Capitol in light of accusations of overpricing.

  It was earlier reported that Capitol allegedly rigged the bidding process to favor a contractor, which submitted the highest bid. The project was also marred with accusations of overpricing.

  The joint venture of RDAK Transport Equipment, Inc. and Nelson Lee Construction submitted the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bid of P235 million followed by Civic Merchandising of P237 million. But ConEquip Philippines was declared the winning bidder with the amount of P250 million despite having been disqualified in the pre-qualification stage. (FREEMAN)