Transportation dep’t to disqualify bidders with pending gov’t cases
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has issued a new memorandum that will keep companies with pending cases against the government from bidding for any contracts.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said it adheres to the Government Procurement Reform Act, which means it will deal with bidders that have a “clean record” as far as litigation with government is concerned.
“Prospective bidders who want to do business with government must have a clean record, and must have a history of good dealings with the government. It’s that simple,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade was quoted as saying.
The DoTr told reporters in a Viber message the memorandum was issued on Tuesday by Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul R. Yebra.
In the statement, he said interested bidders must now include a certification in their Bid Data Sheets that they have no pending government cases.
“Failure of a bidder to comply with the requirement or submission of a false Certification shall constitute grounds for automatic disqualification,” Mr. Yebra was quoted as saying.
He added this measure is one of the department’s efforts to ensure the government’s bidding projects will not be an avenue for corruption.
The DoTr’s current projects include the construction of the North- South Commuter Railway, the expansion of the passenger terminal building at the Lubang Airport, and the construction of the Higatangan Port in Biliran, Leyte. —