Smartmatic-TIM now lone eligible bidder for P32.6-M 2016 polls contract – Comelec bids body

Published December 16, 2014 9:51pm

Smartmatic – Total Information Management Corporation is the sole remaining eligible bidder for the P32.6-million lease supply contract for the 2016 polls' election management system and Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines after the other contender was deemed ineligible.

The Commission on Elections Bids and Awards Committee was unanimous in its rejection of the proposal from the Scytl Secured Electronic Voting and Vibal Group Inc. joint venture while voting was split on Smartmatic-TIM.

Comelec's invitation to bid called for 410 units of precinct-based direct recording electronic (DRE) technology voting machines, 410 ballot boxes, and technical support to be provided by 30 technicians in polling centers and 28 technicians for national technical support.

In a bid bulletin issued last November 25, the Comelec said "only those who passed the eligibility check and has complied with the minimum initial technical specifications shall be allowed to submit their financial bid during the 2nd stage" of the two-stage bidding process.

The Comelec BAC said its technical working group (TWG) found that the Scytl-Vibal proposal did not meet the bid project's initial technical specifications, was unable to present its tax clearance, and had insufficient documents to back its sworn statement on ongoing and completed contracts.

On the Smartmatic-TIM proposal, the Comelec BAC said its TWG determined that the initial technical proposal met the Comelec's requirements. However, there were questions about Smartmatic-TIM's articles of incorporation and the TWG vote on this point was evenly split at 7-7.

The Comelec BAC voting on the Smartmatic-TIM proposal came down to 3-2 split.

“As such, the joint venture of Smartmatic – TIM Corporation is eligible to bid in the Second-Stage of the competitive bidding for the lease of DRE technology,” Comelec – BAC Chairperson Helen Aguila-Flores said during bidding proceeding of the DRE lease project Tuesday.

Scytl-Vibal can still ask the Comelec BAC to reconsider it decision by filing the appropriate motion. — ELR, GMA News

Tags: comelec, directrecordingelectronicmachines, dremachines, smartmatic, 2016elections