Smartmatic inching closer to P11.3-B poll automation contract

MANILA, Philippines - The consortium of Smartmatic and Total Information Management System (TIM) has moved closer to bagging the P11.3-billion poll automation project for the 2010 national elections. This was after the Commission on Elections declared the said consortium as the “single complying calculated bid" and ordered the demonstration of its machines on Wednesday. In a four-page ruling, Comelec’s Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) junked the joint venture of AMA Group and Canada-based ES&S for non-compliance with the technical requirements of the bidding. SBAC said the AMA/ES&S tandem failed to submit documents that would support their bid for the poll automation project. “We therefore order that Smartmatic undergo post-qualification proceedings immediately and that its machines be forthwith tested to determine compliance with the criteria set for one worthy of this historic leap in Philippine elections," the SBAC order said. Smartmatic/TIM entered a P7.2 billion bid price for the poll automation project. SBAC head Ferdinand Rafanan said AMA/ES&S has until Friday to file their motion for reconsideration. He also said the SBAC did not violate any law in deciding to allow Smartmatic/TIM to conduct the machine demonstration. “There will be no violations. In fact it would be more advantages to the public because if that happens you will be witnessing two machines and you will be glad to know that two of the bidders qualified to compete up to the last minute," Rafanan told reporters in an interview Tuesday. To qualify and to secure the multi-billion automation contract, Smartmatic/TIM should have an accuracy level of 99.95 percent during the 12-hour process. Comelec’s technical working group is preparing the ballots that Smartmatic/TIM will use in testing the machines. Rafanan said they are inviting Senator Francis Escudero, head of the Senate oversight committee on election automation, and his House counterpart, Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., to witness the machine demonstration. - GMANews.TV