DOTC rejects LRT-2 bidder’s plan to get new partners

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) rejected the proposal of a shortlisted bidder of the P350-million consultancy service contract for the civil works of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 East Extension project to take in a new partner.

DOTC undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, who chairs the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), said the agency denied the request of the consortium of Schema Konsult Inc., Pertconsult International, KE Asia Inc., DCCD Engineering Corp., Key Engineers Co., and Proconsult Inc. to take in new partners.

“This will not be allowed because the shortlisting and prequalification process has already been completed,” he said in a bulletin.

On June 6, the consortium asked the BAC whether it could take in international partners including Katahira & Engineers International and Tonichi Engineering Consultants Inc. after noticing that other shortlisted groups had international partners.

“In view of this, may we be allowed to strengthen or enhance our joint venture by adding international firms to our group,” the group stated in its request.

Lotilla stated in its bulletin that the group could take in the international partners as sub consultants.

The project was originally offered early this year, but the DOTC declared the bidding a failure when only one of the interested parties was able to meet the eligibility requirements of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Procurement Law.

The LRT-2 East Extension plan, which was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, in July 2012 aims to facilitate travel from the Rizal province to Manila.

The project involves the extension of the existing 13.8 kilometer LRT-2 from Recto to Santolan. The proponent will put up a 4.14-kilometer extension eastward from the existing Santolan Station at Marcos Highway, terminating at the intersection of Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway. Two additional stations will be constructed including the Emerald Station in front of Robinson’s Place Metro East in Cainta Rizal and the Masinag Station at the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City.

The project will be financed through government appropriation and Official Development Assistance loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The project aims to increase the capacity of the LRT-2 to 240,000 passengers per day from the current 130,000 daily passengers.

Other prequalified bidders include:

• The tandem of Systra Philippines and Philipps Technical Consultants Corp.
• The joint venture between Science and Vision for Technology Inc. and Yooshin Engineering Corp.;
• The consortium of Foresight Development and Surveying Company, Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd., and Korea Rail Network Authority Consortium
• The group of J.F. Cancio & Associates, in association with Development Engineering & Management Corporation, Engineering & Development Corporation of the Philippines, Filipinas Dravo Corporation, TCGI Engineers, Urban Integrated Consultants Inc., and Oriental Consultants Co. Ltd. 

– Rappler.com