10 bidders eye automation contract

MANILA, Philippines - Ten bidders will compete for the lease contracts to supply automation machines to be used by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in next year’s local and national polls.

In a telephone interview, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said the poll body was “very satisfied” with the number of companies that bought the terms of reference (TOR).

“The response was so good. We are happy that many bidders are interested to participate in the bidding,” Melo said.

The bidders are Smartmatic/Total Information Management, Avante International Technology Inc., Syrex Corp./Scantron, DVS Philippines/Samsung, Indra Sistemas S.A., Universal Storefront Services Co./Sequioa, All Data Hub International Inc., Gilat Satellite Network Ltd., AMA Group Holding Corp./ES&S International, and Mega Data Corp.

To participate in the bidding, the firms were required to buy the TOR for $20,000 or P1 million. TOR is the document that contains the technical and financial requirements that they have to meet to win the contract.

The bidders will be allowed to raise their concerns during a pre-bid conference today at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.

A fact sheet released by the Comelec showed that the conference “is the opportunity for those who purchase the TOR to discuss with the Special Bids and Awards Committee the contents of the bid documents.”

“These concerns may cover a wide range of matters – anything from complex questions regarding technical specifications to simple requests for clarification,” Melo said.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna staged yesterday a rally in front of Comelec office to oppose poll automation, saying this is only a “recipe for automated cheating and big-time graft.”

“We know that the bid documents are already out, but even at this stage, we appeal to the Comelec to reconsider its mode of choice for automation in 2010. The PCOS (precinct count optical scan) system is untested and a logistical nightmare that opens more avenues for large-scale automated cheating and disenfranchisement, said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

Casino said what needs to be automated is not the voting and counting “which is open, verifiable and subject to protection by voters and election watchdogs,” but the transmission, canvassing and consolidation of votes because it is at this level that cheating occurs.