BCDA seeking JV partner for New Clark City’s ICT facilities

MANILA  -The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Tuesday said it is looking for a joint venture (JV) partner for the commercialization of information and communications technology (ICT) facilities in New Clark City, with a two-stage bidding set to attract private sector partners for the P2.53-billion project.

The BCDA said prospective bidders are invited to submit pre-qualification requirements and bid for the disposition of its passive ICT infrastructure which will be undertaken through a joint venture that will handle the commercialization, expansion, repair, and maintenance of the project.

“In pursuit of its goal of transforming New Clark City into an intelligent, sustainable, and future-proof city, BCDA is now moving forward with the development of the ICT infrastructure in the area,” BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua M. Bingcang said in a statement.

“By taking this crucial first step, we will not only address the needs of our locators, but also set up the foundation for smart city development and e-governance in New Clark City,” he added.

Bingcang acknowledged that the project would be a massive undertaking, expressing hope that the private sector can provide them with the expertise and capabilities in that field.

Further, the BCDA said the project was conceptualized under an “open access fiber” model, adding that it would form the foundation for robust fiber infrastructure and competitive retail services in New Clark City. It said it will also allow telecommunication companies and data transmission providers to connect and service residences, offices, institutions, and data centers in the new metropolis.

The project will serve as an anchor for smart city development and e-government solutions, which are highly dependent on resilient fiber-grade connectivity and data centers, added the BCDA.

As to the bidding process, the BCDA said it will follow a two-stage process, where the prospective bidders will undergo a pre-qualification process based on their legal, technical, and financial capability requirements in the first stage. The second stage will involve the submission and evaluation of technical and financial bids from the shortlisted bidders.

Interested parties may participate in the bidding process by submitting a letter of intent prior to purchasing the Instructions to Private Sector Participants (IPSP) Volume 1- Forms and Annexures starting Nov 6, 2023 for a non-refundable fee of P250,000. The IPSP Volume 1- Eligibility Documents are available for free and are downloadable from the BCDA website.

A pre-qualification conference has been scheduled for Nov 14 at 2 p.m. at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Meanwhile, the deadline of submission of eligibility requirements is on Dec 18, 12 p.m., at the BCDA office in Taguig City.