Despite
the failure of the third bidding for the 21 UH-1 "Huey" helicopters
for the Air Force, the Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday announced
that it will still continue with the program.
"While
it is unfortunate that we have to declare the (failed) bidding, we are still
going to pursue the implementation of this project," DND undersecretary
for finance, munitions, installation and materiel Fernando Manalo said.
The
lone bidder for the project, the joint venture of Rice Aircraft Services Inc.
and Eagle Copters Ltd., was declared ineligible to bid due to its failure to
satisfy some documentary requirements.
The
DND declined to mention the reason for the failure of the first two bids
earlier this year.
He
also said that the bid documents will be returned to the Philippine Air Force
(PAF) and the military service will be directed to make a study and a
recommendation on how to pursue the "Huey" acquisition program.
The
project is worth P1.2 billion.
And
when asked on whether Friday's bidding is the last for the DND 'Huey"
project, Manalo said that the decision will be up to the Bidding and Awards
Committee (BAC).
"The
decision is with the BAC and it will always be premised on what is most
advantageous to the government," he stressed.
"It
can be a negotiated procurement, as I have mentioned the consideration will
always be what is really best for the government, and we will do it very very
fast this time and we will direct the PAF to immediately comply with what is
required by regulation (and) immediately made a 'double-time' study of (the)
documents and immediately return to the DND with a recommendation," Manalo
pointed out.
The
PAF requested for 21 additional "Huey" helicopters to boost its
airlift capability.
According
to the recent report of the Defense Acquisition System assessment team, there
are only 16 fully/partial mission-capable Hueys in the PAF inventory.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=563007
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