CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday called for a rebidding of the province’s P37 million security services contract.
He declared a failure of bidding after the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) said only two remaining bidders could undergo post-qualification evaluation.
Davide said he wanted the contract rebidded to ensure transparency.
He also asked for a review and revision of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the bidding process.
“In keeping with this administration’s promise of utmost transparency, a declaration of failed bidding would, in my judgment, be appropriate and a re-bidding would be in order,” the governor said in a letter to the BAC.
The Capitol faced a controversy over the temporary engagement of Black Pearl Security Agency which took over after the May 30 expiry of a previous agency amid allegations of favoritism. After two weeks, Davide cut off Black Pearl’s services over lapses in performance.
The BAC disqualified Black Pearl from the bidding and recommended post-qualification evaluation of Tactical Security & Detective Agency and GDS Security Agency.
Davide said a two-year contract may be too long and would limit the province’s options to seek better services in the future.
BAC chairman and Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said it was the governor’s prerogative to declare a failure of bidding.
He said once the TOR is finalized by Thursday, the committee will schedule a pre-bid conference.
Tolentino said security agencies that were disqualified in the past can participate in the new bidding. But he said they will study whether Black Pearl could sitll qualify.
For the time being, the Capitol Security Unit (CSU) and personnel of the Cebu Provincial Police Office will secure the Capitol and the province’s other facilities.
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