“Great efforts for online transparent bidding of DA- PHilMech, kudos po!” Boyet Bajandi, Facebook netizen, posted on DA-PHilMech FB page.

As part of the new normal, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) showed transparency through on-line bidding on how will it spend the 5 billion budget allocation of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

The second pre-bidding conference was held on July 14 for the supply, delivery, and testing of Mechanical Rice Transplanters and Rice Reapers. This conference aims to discuss and explain procedures and instructions for bidding including eligibility requirements, technical, and financial components of the contract.

The bids for the Mechanical Rice Transplanters have 12 lots with an Approved Budget Contract (ABC) of Php 637,467,600. Meanwhile the ABC for the Rice Reapers which has 6 lots is Php 132,514,000.

On July 10, PHilMech had its pre-bidding for four-wheel-drive tractors with 27 lots with ABC of Php 2,840,600,00 and rice combine harvesters with 26 lots and ABC of Php 1,839,832,400.

Based on RCEF- Mechanization Component Project Procurement Management Plan calendar of activities for 2020, there will be nine types of machinery that will be pre-bided for July. Two machines are featured in each session. Bidding conference starts on August 4, 2020.

The pre-bid conference was held at PHilMech Auditorium and was streamed live via the DA-PHilMech Facebook account. The Zoom application was also used for other bidders and Bid Award Committee (BAC) members. Strict protocols were observed for physically present participants in compliance for the COVID 19 precautions.

Article by Micky Teresa V. Cabuloy