7 Bidders File Motion for Reconsideration in Failed Bidding for Patrol Aircraft

The DND is planning to acquire two LRPA for use of the Philippine Air Force.(photo : SAABGroup)

MANILA (PNA) -- The seven bidders for the Department of National Defense (DND)'s P5.9-billion LRPA (long range patrol aircraft) project have formally filed their motion of reconsideration.


This is to appeal the failure of bidding declared last Aug. 11 due to various "infirmities" in the bid documents of the participants.

"They (bidders) have filed their motion for reconsideration and we discussed it in our meeting Monday. We have our recommendations and we discussed it in our meeting. We will (forward) our recommendation to the Secretary of National Defense," DND undersecretary Fernando Manalo, Special Bids and Awards Committee-1 chair, said on Tuesday.

Companies that have participated in the LRPA project include EADS/CASA Airbus Defense and Space, Elta Systems Ltd., Elbit Systems Ltd., Saab Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) Indonesian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and Mission Integration.

The DND is planning to acquire two LRPA for use of the Philippine Air Force.

Earlier, in a supplemental bid bulletin posted at the DND website, prospective bidders were told to submit aircraft designs with systems that allows autonomous operation.

"(The aircraft) be equipped with a system that allows autonomous operation in remote bases ensuring electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic power on ground. The system must also be able to start the engines without ground support," it revealed.

This means that the LRPAs can be deployable in remote airfields lacking modern start-up facilities.

Aside from this, the planes must be equipped with a noise reduction system which is capable of reducing both cabin vibration and noise and eliminate many of the buzzes and rattles which would otherwise be a major source of annoyance and distraction for surveillance and patrol mission crew.

Money for the long-range patrol aircraft project will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund.

The contract includes sensors, sensor integration, mission support facilities and integrated logistic support, Manalo said.

Winning bidders are required to deliver the aircraft within 1,035 calendar days upon receipt of the notice to proceed.

Participants must have completed a similar project within the last 10 years.

(PNA)