Air Force to purchase 3 flight simulators

MANILA, Philippines - Three flight simulators will be acquired for P246.43 million to hone the skills of Air Force pilots.

The Air Force has about five simulators in its inventory.

Defense Assistant Secretary Efren Fernandez said Thursday the simulators will allow pilots an almost full sensory experience to improve flight instruction, enhancing proficiency.

They will also minimize risks associated with emergency procedures training, reduce accidents and lessen operational and maintenance costs, he added.

Conducting training through simulators is less costly than using air assets requiring fuel, Fernandez said.

The Department of National Defense is now inviting companies to join the bidding on Sept. 19.

The acquisition will be conducted through open competitive bidding as prescribed in the implementing rules of the procurement law.

The funds for the project will come from the Armed Forces Modernization Act Trust Fund.

The deadline for submission of bids is on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.

The bids will be opened and examined by the Bids and Awards Committee on the same day.

Late bids and those that are higher than the approved budget of P246 million will be rejected.

The qualified bidder that offers the lowest price will advance to the post-qualification phase to determine if its offer suits the needs of the Air Force. The bidder must satisfy all requirements before it can be declared winner. Interested firms may buy bid documents for the project worth P50,000 from the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat in Camp Aguinaldo.

The defense department will hold a pre-bid conference on Sept. 5 to provide prospective bidders more information about the project.

Fernandez heads the Bids and Awards Committee.