Up for bidding: Toilets!

MANILA, Philippines – This time, the toilets are up for grabs.

After announcing the bidding for the purchase of equipment for transportation agencies, or management of airports, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is lining up thousands of toilets to auction off.

Outgoing DOTC Secretary Mar roxas said these toilets in train stations, airports, seaports, and frontline DOTC offices are part of efforts to “restore the pride and dignity of Filipinos, starting with their very basic needs –clean and functioning public toilets.”

“These restrooms will subscribe to a common design standard of cleanliness and functionality, less the ‘frills and drama’ of 5-star toilets,” he said.

The project will be auctioned off into several lots — instead of awarding everything to just one operator — to allow more suppliers to participate.

This P341 million project will be bid out in two phases.

The first costs P143 million for the supply and delivery of goods.

There will be 6 lots and procurement of civil works, consisting of 20 contracts and totaling P198 million. Another P40.6 million is for the supply and delivery of major fixtures, which include 308 sensor type urinals, 627 lever type urinals, 365 sensor type floor-mounted water closets, 350 sensor type wall-mounted water closets, 1,124 lever type water closets, 1,920 lavatory wares, 832 sensor type faucets, and 1,088 lever type faucets. About P25.3 million will be used for the supply and delivery of floor and wall tiles.

Another P22.6 million will be bid out for minor fixtures, such as 898 hand dryers, 103 foot dryers, 822 automatic liquid soap dispensers, 955 manual liquid soap dispensers, 1,698 pedal type trash bins, 898 open type trash bins, 1,698 drum roll toilet paper dispensers, 218 paper towel dispensers,  546 air fresheners, 762 bidets, 218 hand sanitizers, 177 baby/diaper changing tables, 2,501 floor drains, 157 water pumps (1hp), 14 water pumps (2hp), 159 pressure tanks, 1,757 PWD grab rails, and 271 exhaust fans.

Other lots under the “goods” component are signages, countertops and phenolic board for cubicle and urinal.

The P198 million allotted for civil works entail foundation works; demolition works; masonry; roofing works; ceiling works; water and sewerage system works; architectural works; mechanical works; electrical works; and installation of toilet fixtures and accessories.

A total of 111 toilets will be built in facilities managed by the MIAA; 63 in MRT3 stations; 63 in LRT stations; 54 in LTO; and 36 in PNR – all in the National Capital Region.

Another 56 toilets will be constructed for various LTO, LTFRB, and CAAP offices nationwide.

The DOTC said interested providers who wish to join the bidding may purchase the bid documents from September 20, 2012. – Rappler.com