★ Indonesian Firm Bags P4-b Navy Supply Deal

The Department of National Defense on Thursday declared an Indonesia company as winner of a P4-billion contract to build two multi-role vessels for the Philippine Navy.

The Bids and Awards Committee chaired by Efren Fernandez, Assistant Secretary for Personnel, said that PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) was the “lone eligible bidder” with a bid price offer of P3,863,999,520.

The ship is designed to transport a battalion or 500 soldiers as well as logistics. It must be equipped with a helipad and medical facility for disaster response, according to documents obtained by the Manila Standard Today.

Other firms that bought bid documents include a joint venture between Astartez Defense and Rescue Solution Co. and Coastal Industries PTE. LTD.; PROPMECH Corporation; Daewoo International Corp. (Daesun – Republic of Korea); Larsen and Toubro (India); Stone of David Tactical Equipment Co.; STX Off-Shore Shipbuilding Co. (Korea); Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc.; and PT Citra Shipyard.

Except for STX and Citra, all the rest were present during the opening of bidding documents but did not submit their bid envelop, giving only PT PAL and Daesun the chance to vie for the bidding.

The BAC did not say why the other bidders withdrew.

  ● Manila Standard