Comelec to bid out P291-M ballot contract

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is inviting bids for the P291-million contract to supply official ballot packaging for the 2013 polls.

The Comelec said interested parties may acquire the bidding documents until Nov. 21 at the poll body’s central office in Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

“Bidders should have completed, within seven years prior to the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project,” the Comelec said.

According to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the materials would be used to pack the ballots after printing.

“They are packaged per clustered precincts prior to delivery. They have to be packaged well to ensure they are in good condition and they are packaged correctly before delivery,” Sarmiento said.

The Comelec stressed the contract is restricted to “Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act No. 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.”

A pre- bid conference is scheduled on Nov. 9.

“The Comelec reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders,” the poll body said.

– Sheila Crisostomo