Capitol defers security contract

CEBU, Philippines - The Bids and Awards Committee of the Cebu provincial government has decided to postpone giving to Blackpearl Security Agency the notice of award due to inconsistency in the bidding documents despite passing the post-qualification.

According to lawyer Orvi Ortega, head of BAC, Blackpearl has passed the post-qualification review. However, due to an observation of the Technical Working Group, they have deferred giving out the notice of award pending opinion form a higher body.

“Blackpearl Security Agency has passed the post-qualification review and thereby, recommended to be declared as the Highest Rated Responsive Bid for the supply of manpower of security services,” the three-page report read.

Ortega said that inconsistency was found in the Checklist of  Eligibility and Financial Documents Requirements for Bidders used in the pre-qualification and the Bid Data Sheet provided to the bidders.

The body has decided to refer their case to the Government Procurement Policy Board, an independent inter-agency body established by virtue of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement reform Act.

“However, it is recommended that BAC shall review/revisit the checklist used in the evaluation of bids as well as the contents of the bidding documents,” the report added.

“For the time being there is no awarding yet to be done. Until such time that the GPPB will come out with its own pronouncement because they are the higher body,” Ortega said.

In the checklist, the agency is required to have the single largest contract that amounts to 50 percent of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) amounting to P37,275,275.40.

However, it is not specified in the checklist if the largest contract should be complete or it can be ongoing.

Meanwhile, the BDS requires a completed single largest project that is 25 percent of the ABC.

According to Ortega, the single largest contract of Blackpearl is an ongoing project with a hotel in Mactan which amounts to P21,311,754 started last year and will end in 2018.

“In order to erase any doubt, we refer this post-qualification report in relation with observation pertaining to the inconsistency between the checklist and the BDS to GPPB,” said Ortega.

Ortega said that it is the first time they will be consulting with GPPB. He was also not able to provide a definite time for the result.

The technical working group is composed of Jone Siegfred Sepe, Provincial General Services Office; Alma Sibonga, Provincial Assessor; and Danilo Rodas, OIC of the Office of the Provincial Budget.

He added that they are planning to pursue an emergency procurement that will need a resolution from the committee and the Governor’s approval.

As for now, Sepe is eyeing Blackpearl for the emergency procurement.

“Nakasugod na man ang Blackpearl, amo na lang ni ipadayon,” he said,

“Kung unsay serbisyo na narender nila, kung mahitabo gyud na dili sila ang ma-qualify, luoy man pud di mabayran ang nagserbisyo na,” he added.

On the lack of firearms, Ortega said that the PGSO has “administrative control” over security services.

“Ang BAC is for procurement lang,” he said.

However, Sepe said that Blackpearl has assured him that the agency will address the issue.

“Ang kanang wala sila’y armas, usa na nga aspect na ipatawag nato sa ilang attention. Kinanhanglan gyud kada gwardiya naay armas kay mao man atong gi-require sa ilaha,” Sepe said. —/ATO (FREEMAN)