BIZ BUZZ: To bid or not to bid

Another significant development on the much-awaited Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) rehabilitation project is about to happen.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to conduct a prebid conference in Ortigas today, Sept 22, where interested parties can further gauge if they will participate in the P170.6-billion bidding process after all.

It is a venue where the parties can clarify the details about the big-ticket infrastructure project.

The transportation department previously shared that five entities bought bidding documents. These are San Miguel Corp., GMR Group, the Manila International Airport Consortium, Spark 888 Management Inc. and Asian Airport Consortium.

Biz Buzz learned there is a sixth potential bidder who also bought bid materials.

Interested parties can access the concession agreement and other documents upon payment of P2.75-million participation fee.

In August, the DOTr officially opened the bidding process for the Naia upgrade project. The agency previously said they were targeting to award the contract by the first quarter of next year.

The chosen private sector partner will be in-charge of the herculean task of rehabilitating passenger terminals and airside facilities; providing facilities to enable intermodal transfer at the airport; and constructing the connection from Naia terminal 3 to the Metro Manila Subway.

While these mean a huge capital outlay, the project is expected to have a big pay off for the partner as well given the projected resurgence of air travel.

Now, the question is: How many entities will actually throw their hat into the ring? Let’s see!

—Tyrone Jasper C. Piad