DOTC rebids MRT3 consultancy contract

MANILA, Philippines – Having no takers, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is rebidding the P50-million ($1.13-million) consultancy contract for  the rehabilitation and capacity expansion of the aging Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3).

 DOTC-MRT3 published a request for expression of interest on Monday, March 2, inviting interested companies to provide consultancy services for MRT3.

The agency has earmarked P50 million ($1.13 million) under the General Appropriations Act of 2015 to finance consultancy services, providing any and all assistance and guidance in all matters of the operations and maintenance of the mass rail transit system.

The winning consultant would also extend assistance in the conceptualization, procurement, and implementation of any and all programs and projects for MRT3.

A pre-eligibility conference is set on March 12. Interested companies have until March 25 to submit their eligibility documents.

Failed bidding

Five prospective bidders would be drawn up by the agency’s bids and awards committee (BAC), in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. A minimum weighted score of 70 points is required for interested bidders to qualify in the short list.

“Should less than the required number apply for eligibility and short listing pass the eligibility check, and/or pass the minimum score required in short listing, the BAC shall consider the same,” the agency said.

The bidding of the consultancy services contract was published January 23, giving interested bidders until February 6 to submit their qualification documents. The deadline was again moved to February 25.

Thus BAC declared a failed bidding after only two bidders showed up during the submission of qualification documents on February 25, said DOTC spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal.

The other bidder withdrew its submission, Sagcal pointed out.

“We see interest in providing the consultancy services, and expect these groups to comply with our requirements in the rebid,” he added.

The agency also declared a failed bidding for the P2.4 billion ($54.45 million), 3-year maintenance contract for the MRT3. This was the second time that not a single bid was submitted for the project after the DOTC declared a failed bidding on October 29.

Cheaper offer

Meanwhile, a group composed of a joint venture of Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik GmbH, HEAG mobile GmbH, and Commbuilders & Technology Philippines Corporation (CB&T) has submitted a P4.65-billion ($105.49-million) proposal to rehabilitate MRT3.

Schunk Bahn- und Industrietechnik GmbH (Schunk) has the expertise and is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of high quality power transmission railway equipment.

HEAG mobile GmbH operates and maintains its own fleet of trains/trams and buses since the late 1800s. With its operations based in Darmstadt, HEAG mobile has 23 bus lines and nine tramlines.

CB&T is the maintenance contractor of Light Railway Transit Line 1 (LRT1).

In a two-page letter to DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, the group submitted a proposal to rehabilitate the mass rail transit system along EDSA that is P116 million ($2.63 million) cheaper than the P4.76-billion ($107.10 million) budget of the agency.

Under its proposed Swiss Challenge, the group said the basic plan is to initially mobilize rehabilitation where time and work windows are flexible and station facilities would be prioritized.

The group said its proposal would address the ancillary power, considered the 48 new trains, new stabling area, new elevators and escalators, new public address system, public information system, new toilets, platform gates, CCTV, signaling system, rail replacement, and rail grinding.

The group is also looking at restoring two trains every 45 days to allow a lead time of 8 to 12 months before the rolling stock is turned over to the government.

The system rehabilitation is eyed to be completed in 3 to 4 years and has a limited downtime of 4 hours to make sure that the operations of MRT3 would not be disrupted. The proposal also ensures that only one entity would control the system rehabilitation composed of efficient and experienced parts integrators with global network.

CB&T president Roehl Bacar previously said that unsolicited proposals for MRT3 give interested parties more liberty to propose upgrades to the 17-kilometer public transportation system. – Rappler.com

 

 US$1 = P44.08