MOBILE solutions provider Omniprime Marketing Inc. is standing pat on its call to nullify the contract awarded to Webb Fontaine Group FZ LLC and its Philippine partner, Global Resource for Outsourced Workers (GROW), for the Bureau of Customs’ P418-million Integrated Philippine Customs System (iPCS) project.
The iPCS will replace the BOC’s trouble-plagued electronic-to-mobile system.
Omniprime had earlier bid for the iPCS project but lost. The company was also the joint-venture partner of Webb Fontaine in bidding for the National Single Window phase 2 project.
In a letter to Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon dated June 10, Omniprime said it has a pending complaint with the Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) against Webb Fontaine and its local partner GROW but that the SBAC, chaired by deputy commissioner Atty. Peter Manzano, endorsed the award despite failing to resolve the issues.
In a phone interview, Omniprime president Annabelle Margaroli told PortCalls the joint venture between Webb Fontaine and GROW failed to comply with requirements set out in Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement and Reform Act.
The company said Webb Fontaine and GROW had not filed a valid and notarized copy of their joint venture agreement. This after Atty. Pedro Genato, in a letter to the Manila Regional Trial Court, denied the signature on the sworn statements of Webb Fontaine incorporators Ara Shamirzayan and Monico Jacob was his.
Omniprime said despite repeated follow-ups, its complaint remains unacted upon. It said BOC legal counsel Atty. Geniefelle P. Lagmay, when asked about the complaint, assured the company that Biazon will not sign the notice of award until the issues Omniprime raised were resolved first.
A notice of award signed by Biazon was given to Dubai-based Webb Fontaine and GROW, addressed to Shamirzaya, on June 12.
“As far as we’re concerned, we know for a fact that they (Webb Fontaine and GROW) are not the right group” for the iPCS, Margaroli said.
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