The three ASCOT Campuses namely: Zabali Campus in Baler, Aurora; Bazal Campus in Maria Aurora, Aurora; and Casiguran Campus in Casiguran, Aurora, will soon brighten up with the Installation of Stand-Alone Solar-Powered LED Street Lighting System. An LED street light is an integrated light that uses light emitting diodes (LED) as its light source. It is said to be very effective as it is designed to improve roadway safety, reduces light pollution, and at the same time reduces energy operating costs. The said project with an original Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of ?5,823,860.70 should have actually been awarded to a winning lone bidder sometime in March 2020. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic that implemented the community quarantine, all construction projects were suspended by the government including the aforementioned. As a consequence, it has caused the DBM to slash almost a half of the budget allocation and the fund for the project was left with a reduced ABC of ?3,101,024.50. The HoPE, thus declared the previous bidding a failure invoking RA 9184 Section 41. c) (iii) if the source of funds for the project has been withheld or reduced through no fault of the Procuring Entity.

The Infrastructure Office, headed by College Engineer, Jerome M. Galam, immediately made revisions to the original plan to correspond with the new ABC. The project was posted on PhilGEPS and bidding was conducted but turned out a failure. Then, another posting and bidding was conducted on September 16, 2020, participated by two bidders. Unfortunately, in the TWG’s evaluation, both bidders were disqualified due to technical and financial lapses.

After two failed biddings, contractors were invited to a negotiation wherein two bidders participated. The TWG, Chaired by Engr. Christopher S. Paladio recommended to award the project to Conrado B. Bautista Const. & Supply Corporation for having the lowest calculated responsive bid of ?2,486,002.81. After the BOT’s approval to issue the Notice of Award, Contract Signing, and Notice to Proceed, it is expected that the installation will begin sometime in November 2020 and most likely to be completed within the delivery period of 60 calendar days.