Rama bars BAC from communicating with CCMC bidders

Cebu City Mayor Mayor Michael Rama reminded the bids and awards committee (BAC) not to discuss details of the rebidding of the the new P600-million Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC)  with bidders or the media until a winner is awarded.

“I have my marching order to all of them that henceforth, until there is already a declaration of who should be the winner, there will be no discussion or transaction leading to suspicion that would  preempt. So there is no such thing as prejudging, insinuations and impressions that again will jeopardize the CCMC project,” Rama told reporters yesterday.

Rama also reminded the BAC members to be careful with their statements to the media.

“They know very well– why talk when things are not yet final?  Basin pataka lang sila’g hasmag. There is a right time,” said Rama.

Notices inviting bids for the P600-million hospital project were published in newspapers starting yesterday until May 25.

READ: Delos Santos out of CCMC bids committee

Rama clarified that he’s not issuing a gag order.  He said his restriction is anchored in law,  Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Section 32 of the revised implementing rules state that “members of the BAC, including its staff and personnel, as well as its Secretariat and TWG are prohibited from making or accepting any communication with any bidder regarding evaluation of their bids until the issuance of the Notice of Award.”

But the BAC through its secretariat, may ask in writing the bidder for a clarification of its bid. All responses to requests for clarification shall be in writing.

Rama said his directive is for both  the special BAC for CCMC and the  CCMC ad hoc committee.

The  previous bidding  for Phase 1 of the project costing P300 million for Phase 1 was declared a failure last December.

The mayor was upset when the BAC’s decision to  post-disqualify the lowest bidder  WTGConstruction and its Manila joint venture partner A.M. Oreta for misrepresentation  and discrepanices in bid documents was reported in Cebu Daily News.

The mayor said he though it was premature to come out in the news since the decision hadn’t reached his office.

In the end, he upheld the decision and   declared a failure of bidding. He called for a rebidding for Phase 1 to avoid “suspicion of favoritism and anomalies.”