DND Restart Bidding for the Landing Docks Acquisition Project

06 Oktober 2021

The DND is allocating P5.56 billion for two strategic sealift vessels, with four landing craft utility and four units of rigid hull inflatable boats (image : PT PAL)

Process to acquire landing docks for PH Navy restarts

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense has restarted the bidding for the acquisition of two landing platform docks for the Philippine Navy.

An invitation to bid dated Sept. 30 was posted on the DND’s official website. This would be the fourth attempt to acquire such vessels, seen to enhance the Navy’s amphibious landing missions and transport tasks.

Three attempts had earlier failed since 2019 for various reasons, according to two security officials privy to the matter.

On the third try, Megaship Builders’ joint venture with a Malaysian shipbuilder, the lowest bidder in 2019, was disqualified after the bid due to lack of equipment and facilities. The resolution on the motion to reconsider took a while, which resulted in the restarting of the bid, said one official.

Another official said the terms of reference and bidding documents caused confusion, as the requirements of the Navy and rules of the Bids and Awards Committee got mixed up. But these issues had already been fixed, he said.

See full article Inquirer