The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) opened bids for the procurement of works for the Rehabilitation of the Balecbec-Basca Farm to Market Road (FMR) and Balecbec Bridge, its pilot infrastructure development subproject, on October 7, 2015 at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, San Fernando City, La Union.

La Union Provincial Administrator and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Geofrey S. Tilan spearheaded the opening of bids. Along with the BAC Members, and the Technical Working Group (TWG), they conducted a preliminary evaluation of the bids submitted by the contractors.

Three contractors submitted their bids to the PGLU: RC Tagala Construction, RU Aquino Construction and Development Corporation, et al., and Goldrich Construction and Trading. All contractors submitted bids for both FMR and bridge.

The lowest bid for the Balecbec-Basca FMR amounted to P87,273,009.08. Meanwhile, the lowest bid for the Balecbec Bridge was P21,460,199.59.

The selection of winning bidder under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) is not solely based on the lowest amount of bid. The winning bidder must be the lowest calculated and responsive bidder. The term ‘responsive’ corresponds to the satisfaction of the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Project.

The estimated subproject cost of the Rehabilitation of the Balecbec-Basca Farm to Market Road is P91,870,000, while Balecbec Bridge totals P21,907,000. Contractors can bid for both or either of the FMR and/or the bridge.

The PLGU and the RPCO 1 are given 15 days to evaluate the bids. Likewise the procurement units of the Regional Project Coordination Office 1 (RPCO 1), Luzon A Project Support Office (PSO) and the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) are given ample time to evaluate the subprojects. (Ilocos InfoACE)