DND to hold bidding for purchase of P5.4-B anti-submarine helicopters

MANILA, Philippines - The Defense Department will hold another bidding for the supply of two anti-submarine helicopters worth P5.4 billion.

The anti-submarine helicopters are primarily ship-based helicopters with mission essential equipment. The helicopters are expected to strengthen the military’s maritime security capabilities as it can be immediately deployed to safeguard the country’s maritime resources.

The first bidding for the project failed last June due to the inability of bidders to meet some documentary requirements.

A bid bulletin signed by Defense Undersecretary Natalio Ecarma III said the bidding would be held in two stages using the criteria specified by the procurement law. 

A two-stage bidding is usually applicable to big-ticket items that require the scrutiny of technical teams. In the first stage, officials determine who among the bidders are qualified to submit offers. The second stage, meanwhile, will determine which of the qualified suppliers is the most responsive to the requirements.

The deadline for the submission of first stage bids is on October 21. The bids will be opened on the same day. The schedule for the second stage bidding will be announced later.

To be qualified, the helicopters to be offered should be used by the armed forces of the country of origin or by the militaries of at least two other countries. The bidders should also be the manufacturers of the air assets they are offering.

Interested companies may buy a complete set of bidding documents from the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat for P75,000.

A pre-bid conference that will allow prospective suppliers to ask questions about the project will be held on October 7.

Late bids as well as those that are higher than the approved budget of P5.4-billion will be rejected.

The anti-submarine helicopter acquisition project is one of the big-ticket items in the armed forces’ upgrade program.