2025 poll automation bidding delayed anew

FOR the third time, the deadline for the submission and opening of bids for the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) project for the 2025 midterm elections has been pushed back by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In its Bid Bulletin No. 7, the Comelec – Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) set the bidding on December 14, Thursday, for the P18.8 billion FASTrAC project.

“In view of the above-mentioned clarifications and the issuance of this Supplemental/Bid Bulletin, the schedule of the Submission & Opening of Bids is hereby rescheduled from December 12, 2023 to December 14, 2023,” said the Comelec – SBAC.

To recall, the original deadline for the submission and opening of bids was set on November 20 before it was deferred to November 28.

Subsequently, the Comelec – SBAC reset the deadline from November 28 to December 12.

According to Comelec – SBAC vice chairperson John Rex Laudiangco, the latest adjustment was necessary because of the introduction of additional project specifications.

“We added specs in the material of the ballot boxes. And with this new provision, it is only fair to give new time to file queries. Thus, we should move the bid opening,” said Laudiangco.

The venue and time for the submission of the bids will be at the SBAC Secretariat Office located at the Far East Managers and Investors Incorporated (FEMII) Building in Intramuros, Manila on or before 9 a.m.

The opening of bids, meanwhile, will be at 10:30 a.m.