Laptop supplier says items met gov’t specs
By Nidz Godino
“The PS-DBM solicited bids for the supply and delivery of laptop computers with very specific technical requirements…as qualified bidders, we made an offer and won comprehensive and competitive bidding fair and square,” Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation (SCDC) and LDLA Marketing & Trading Inc. (LDLA)stressed that laptops were competitively priced, and performed according to their purpose.
The joint venture company which supplied questioned laptops for the Department of Education (DepEd) said computer units it delivered met all specifications made by government.
SCDC-LDLA said computers for use of teachers were “fully compliant with all technical specifications provided by DepEd and Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).”
“As of early this year, all units have been delivered to DepEd regional offices throughout Philippines,” it added.
The joint venture firm said laptop sets are priced competitively based on the required specifications taking into account cost of the unit, peripherals, software, commercial grade durability, comprehensive 36-months warranty and technical support anywhere in the Philippines, including nationwide delivery and other add-ons.
This also includes customization of items,units as required by DepEd, it said.
In its annual audit report on DepEd for 2021, COA raised concerns about DepEd’s purchase of laptops for teachers in order to implement distance learning amid COVID-19 pandemic.
It described purchased equipment as “pricey and outdated” as there were more affordable and better options available.
The COA said purchase of more expensive laptops than the ones on budget resulted in procurement of fewer units, depriving over 28,000 teachers of the benefit.
“Based on initial feedback we gathered from auditors in NCR and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), they stated delivered laptop computers by winning bidder are too slow because processor is… outdated; and price is too high based on specifications as attached to the DepEd Memorandum,” the audit report said.
“Per available documents, the Audit Team could not ascertain DBM-PS’ basis for adopting unit price of P58,300,” it added.
The audit report said supposed number of laptops to be procured of 68,500 units was significantly reduced to 39,583 units which was mainly due to huge increase in the estimated cost of P35,046 to P58,300 anchored on DBM-PS’ recommendation, which was duly accepted by DepEd.
State auditors said DepEd settled and agreed with price and technical specifications provided by PS-DBM.
The SCDC-LDLA joint venture said “Dell Latitude 3420 laptops delivered to the government were custom-built direct from factory and according to requirements needed by DepEd and therefore cannot be easily equated to regular off-the-shelf consumer unit.”
“It is inaccurate and unfair to say that offered price is for laptops alone,” the joint venture company said.
The joint venture added that while it was contracted to supply equivalent of 10th generation processor, it actually delivered 11th generation processor which was the latest generation at the time of the project.
“Our clients can also attest that we have been faithfully honoring our after sales support and warranty and have been aiding end users through our after sales partners,” the SCDC-LDLA joint venture said.
As to the audit findings, the joint venture firm was not aware of any conclusive nor final Audit Report that has been published by Commission on Audit.
“We are ready and willing to participate in any proceedings where we will be given opportunity to show that our product is reliable and capable for its intended use,” it said.
“Our companies have combined experience spanning more than a decade and we intend to protect our respective reputations as honest and ethical business enterprises,” it added.
The PS-DBM is planning to launch an investigation into the P2.4 billion worth of laptops it procured for the DepEd in 2021.
The Makabayan bloc lawmakers also sought a congressional investigation into the procurement of the laptops.
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