MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to open to more technology providers the bidding process for the procurement of the automated election system (AES) this October.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said yesterday he asked anew the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) if it is allowed to reduce the Single Largest Contracting Capacities (SLCC) from 50 percent to 30 percent of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC).
“May the commission modify its bidding documents to reduce the percentage required in the submission of SLCC by the prospective bidders,” Garcia said in a letter to the GPPB.
“The undersigned humbly asks for your preferential attention and response on the matter as the Comelec is about to commence its procurement activities, considering the magnitude of its requirements for the 2025 national and local elections,” he added.
Garcia asked the GPPB if the submission of at least two completed similar contracts with an aggregate amount equivalent to at least 30 percent of the ABC and the largest of similar contracts equivalent to at least half of the percentage of the ABC proposed or at least 15 percent will suffice.
According to Garcia, the Comelec considers the existing requirement as a “restriction of trade” since only a few technology providers can participate in the bidding.
He added the Comelec does not want to be accused of favoring an particular bidder.
The Comelec, Garcia said, wants to even the playing field so that it will have the option to choose the best technology to be offered by the different providers.
He said local technology providers could participate in the bidding.
The Comelec has submitted a proposal, but the board has yet to approve the request for modification of bidding requirements.
Garcia said the Comelec needs to secure the board’s approval before starting the bidding process this month.