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The deadline for submission and opening of proposals for a new National Single Window platform has been moved anew to August 4, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology
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The NSW is an unsolicited proposal from the joint venture of JAMC Holdings Corp. and Ascent Solutions Philippines Inc.
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The project includes the development, implementation, operation, and eventual turnover to the implementing agency of a unified platform that will serve as a one-stop-shop for the submission and processing of trade-related documents
The deadline for submission and opening of proposals for a new National Single Window (NSW) platform has been moved anew to August 4 from July 30, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Supplemental Bid Bulletin No. 4 issued by DICT Public-Private Bids and Awards Committee chairperson Paul Joseph Mercado on July 1 announced the new deadline, the second such delay. The original deadline was set on July 15.
The release of approved public-private partnership (PPP) contract to the challengers was also revised to July 3 from the previous target date of June 30.
DICT in February announced it is inviting challengers to apply for eligibility and submit a comparative proposal for the implementation of the NSW-Integrated Trade Facilitation Platform (NSW-ITFP) Project, an unsolicited proposal from the joint venture of JAMC Holdings Corp. and Ascent Solutions Philippines Inc. submitted in February 2024.
The project includes the development, implementation, operation, and eventual turnover to the implementing agency (DICT) of a unified platform that will serve as a one-stop-shop for the submission and processing of trade-related documents and permits across various government agencies.
It entails onboarding of at least 76 trade regulatory government agencies into the platform.
The proposed new NSW platform will replace TradeNet, which currently serves as the country’s NSW, replacing the NSW Phase 1. The NSW is the platform required in order to connect to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Single Window (ASW), a regional initiative to speed up cargo clearance and promote regional economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange of border documents among the 10 ASEAN member states.
The JV was granted the original proponent status for the project following a successful process of detailed evaluation and negotiations in compliance with Republic Act No. 11966 or the Public-Private Partnership Code (PPP Code) and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
The concession period is for 12 years, which includes four months for the construction of Phase I, and 11 years and eight months for the operation and maintenance.
The proposal is now subject to comparative challenge, particularly the second stage, which entails the submission of comparative challenge documents stage where pre-qualified proponents will submit comparative proposals for evaluation based on pre-established criteria to identify the most advantageous offer.
Under the rules, in the event that a comparative proponent submits a financial proposal that is more advantageous than that submitted by the original proponent, the latter will have the “right-to-match” such price proposal within 30 calendar days in accordance with the PPP Code IRR.
If the original proponent is able to match the proposal of the challenger or if there are no challengers during the comparative challenge period, the project will be awarded to the original proponent.
According to the project information memorandum, by implementing the ITFP under the NSW policy, the Philippines stands to gain at least three immediate impacts: reduction in time consumed in getting permits and facilitating trade; reduction in trade-related costs; and improvement in trade documentation.
Moreover, ITFP may serve as the foundation for other aggregator programs that the government may wish to implement, and can be used to develop synergies and offer value-added services such as e-logistics and warehousing support. – Roumina Pablo
