The Rehabilitation of Tubigay-Baracbac-Nagcullooban Farm to Market Road (FMR) is the pilot infrastructure subproject of Ilocos Sur under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). It is located in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, with a total estimated project cost of P76,605,000.

Last October 2015, the procurement process of the subproject was launched. There was a failure of bid, however, because of the sole bidder’s lack of experience, unqualified project staff members and insufficient equipment.

The Ilocos Sur Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) received the No Objection Letter (NOL) for the re-bidding of the Tubigay FMR on January 21, 2016. In preparation for the re-bidding of the subproject, a Pre-Bid Conference was held in the Provincial Capitol of Ilocos Sur, with Luzon A Project Support Office (PSO), the Regional Project Coordination Office 1 (RPCO), and interested contractors on April 8, 2016.

Among the contractors who attended the conference are: Firm Builders represented by Alcover Alipan; Vicmar Construction represented by John Henry; and J.S. Lim Construction represented by Ron Cabrera.

During the Pre-bid Conference, the Bid Data Sheet, Bid Opening Checklist and the requirements for Contractors are again discussed by Ilocos Sur PPMIU. Luzon A PSO Deputy Project Director Elma Mananes also reminded the contractors that in case of joint venture, they need to secure a special license from Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) five days before the bid opening.

DPD Mananes also reminded the RPCO, the PPMIU and the contractors that PRDP employs a three-strike policy for procurement. A sub-project can only undergo re-bidding three times. If the procurement process fails three times, the subproject will be cancelled.

Luzon A PSO Engr. Dennis Flores also gave tips to the contractors and the PPMIUs to have a successful procurement process: the contractors must visit the subproject site for appreciation; more accurate appraisal of estimated project cost and the materials engineer must be full time; and follow 2009 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ACCEL rates. He added, “technical specifications are non-negotiable in PRDP.”

The opening of bids for the Re-bidding of the Tubigay FMR was held on April 21, 2016. (Ilocos InfoACE)