US-based firm lone qualified bidder in assault rifle deal

MANILA, Philippines - A US-based company has been declared the single eligible bidder during the defense department’s bidding for the acquisition of more than 50,000 assault rifles.

Remington Arms Co. offered to supply 50,629 assault rifles for P1.94 billion, lower than the P3.19-billion approved budget for the project.

Remington’s bid places the unit price at P38,402.13, way below the approved unit price of P63,000.

“When the contract is finally awarded to Remington, the government shall have saved the amount of over P1.2 billion or a savings of 39 percent for the procurement of additional defense materiel,” Remington said in a statement.

Remington is based in Madison, North Carolina and produces military and law enforcement equipment as well as sporting and hunting products. In its website, the company said it distributes its products in more than 55 countries.

Under the government’s procedures, a company can only be declared a winning bidder if it satisfies the post qualification requirements and if it receives a notice of award.

Remington said three other US companies participated in the bidding, which was held last April 30 in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The three other firms – Colt, Sig Sauer, and Manroy – were declared ineligible to bid due to failure to satisfy some requirements.

Remington said Colt had expressed its intention to file a motion for reconsideration and they were instructed by the defense department’s Special Bids and Awards Committee 1 to submit a formal request not later than May 3.

The bids and awards committee has seven calendar days to decide on motions for reconsideration filed by bidders.