Four foreign Firms Eye P5.9-Billion DND Patrol Aircraft Project

02 Juni 2014

Airbus Military C-295MPA (photo : Militaryphotos)

At least four firms have expressed interest in joining the auction for the Department of National Defense’s (DND) P5.9-billion acquisition of two long-range patrol aircraft.

DND Public Affairs Service Chief Arsenio R. Andolong told BusinessWorld via telephone that, as of Friday -- the day of the project’s pre-bid conference -- four foreign companies have already bought bid documents, signifying their interest.

These included Canadian firm Field Aviation Ltd. and Israeli defense contractors Elbit Systems Ltd. and Elta Systems Ltd.

Field Aviation + Elta develops Bombardier Q-400 MPA (photo : ainonline)

European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company -- Construcciones Aeronautics SA (EADS-CASA) Airbus, which earlier expressed interest in bidding for the DND’s P4.9-billion close air support aircraft acquisition project, also bought bid documents for the patrol aircraft project.

The project also entails supplying aircraft sensors and their integration with the DND’s systems.

The first stage of bidding is still scheduled for June 13 at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Conference room, DND building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

However, DND Public Affairs Service Chief Arsenio R. Andolong said that the agency might extend the bid deadline as requested by some bidders who were having trouble registering with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).

Elbit Systems develops ATR-72 in MPA version (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

“We received requests to extend because may kaunting problems sa PhilGEPS... Mainly sa pagregister online (We received requests to extend because of a few problems with PhilGEPS... Mainly in registering online),” Mr Andolong said.

PhilGEPS is the online portal of the government that contains information on all its procurement processes and the awarding of contracts.

Under Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors are required to register with PhilGEPS before they participate in bidding activities under the Philippine government.

(BusinessWorld)