By Alexis Romero
MANILA, Philippines - The inter-agency Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) has rejected a request by the Department of National Defense (DND) to acquire 10 attack helicopters from France through negotiated procurement.
A GPPB resolution, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, showed the DND had planned to acquire 10 attack helicopters through negotiated procurement under a Defense Cooperation Agreement with France.
The move was in line with the DND’s plan to acquire defense equipment through government-to-government transactions to fast-track the military’s upgrade efforts.
The approved budget for the procurement of the 10 attack helicopters is P3.4 billion.
In its request, the DND cited Section 53.8 of the implementing rules of the procurement law, which allowed negotiated procurement with a country with which the Philippines has entered into a defense cooperation agreement (DCA).
Negotiated procurement is defined as a method of procurement wherein the procuring entity directly negotiates a contract with a technically, legally and financially capable supplier, contractor or consultant.
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