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Bidding for the consultancy services of the Department of Transportation’s proposed Integrated Transport Analytics and Infrastructure Monitoring & Evaluation System failed as all prospective bidders declared ineligible
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The project was for a consultant to develop a sector-wide monitoring and evaluation framework, along with a digital M&E database and dashboard, to harmonize project performance tracking across the aviation, maritime, railway, and road sectors
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Opening of shortlisting documents from prospective bidders for the consultancy project was initially scheduled on September 15, then moved to September 22, and again re-scheduled to September 29
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The system is meant to address DOTr’s record as the agency with the highest average project delays in government — some running more than 70 months behind — across an infrastructure portfolio worth roughly P6.8 trillion
Bidding for the consultancy services of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) proposed Integrated Transport Analytics and Infrastructure (TRANSIT) Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) System has failed with prospective bidders declared ineligible.
DOTr Special Bids and Awards Committee for Planning and Project Development Office, in a notice dated October 13, noted that the failure of bidding was pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Gxovernment Procurement Act.
Under Section 64.1 of the IRR, all prospective bidders being declared ineligible is one of the conditions for the declaration of a failure of bidding.
The notice does not indicate the next steps that DoTr can take for the project.
DOTr in September 2026 announced it seeks a consultant to develop a sector-wide monitoring and evaluation framework, along with a digital M&E database and dashboard, to harmonize project performance tracking across the aviation, maritime, railway, and road sectors.
Opening of shortlisting documents from prospective bidders for the consultancy project was initially scheduled on September 15, was moved to September 22, and then re-scheduled to September 29.
The TRANSIT M&E System project aims to replace fragmented reporting with a centralized digital database and dashboard, enabling DOTr to monitor project performance and make more data-driven decisions.
Under the P51.371 million consultancy contract, the winning consultant will produce an M&E framework manual and operational guidelines, build a fully operational digital system with geotagging and analytics capabilities, and turn over complete source code repositories. The consultant will also run a capacity-building program for DOTr personnel, with the contract running 12 months.
The project responds to DOTr’s standing as the agency with the highest average project delays in government, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development — with some projects delayed by more than 70 months. The new M&E system is intended to improve governance and transparency across DOTr’s infrastructure portfolio, valued at roughly P6.8 trillion.
According to the project’s terms of reference (TOR), heightened public scrutiny and recurring problems like ineffective flood control, project delays, and “ghost projects” have prompted the change to public sector governance to now focus on transparency, results-driven management, and digital monitoring, especially in large-scale infrastructure projects.
These issues highlight the need for strong M&E systems that offer real-time oversight and support evidence-based decisions beyond just meeting compliance requirements, the TOR said.
Several agencies have demonstrated the effectiveness of digital project monitoring systems while certain laws and policies, such as the Revised National Evaluation Policy Framework, mandates the establishment and strengthening of M&E systems in government for results-based planning and budgeting.
The TOR said these reforms are especially important for DOTr, the main agency implementing the government’s infrastructure flagship projects worth about P6.8 trillion.
“Without a shared, formal M&E system, the DOTr faces serious governance and implementation challenges,” the TOR stated.
DOTr’s TRANSIT M&E System will harmonize monitoring and reporting, support data-driven decision-making, and enhance transparency, accountability, and project performance management. It will also address the growing scale, complexity, and public profile of DOTr infrastructure investments, which demand prompt, dependable, and consolidated performance data.
Key deliverables for the TRANSIT M&E System consultancy contract include the M&E framework manual and operational guidelines, a fully-operational digital system featuring geotagging and analytics, complete source code repositories, and a comprehensive capacity-building program for DOTr personnel.
