2010 Elections: Poll Automation Timeline

March 11, 2009 - The Comelec en banc approved the Terms of Reference/Request for Proposal (TOR/RFP) for the Solutions, Terms and Conditions for the 2010 poll automation. TOR/RFP documents contain the Comelec's policies, requirements and technical specifications which prospective bidders will need in order to prepare their bids. TOR/RFP documents come with a P1 million price tag, a non-refundable fee to be paid by interested bidders. March 18-25, 2009 - TOR/RFP for bidders were released. Smartmatic/TIM and Philippine Avante International Technology Corp. were the first to procure bid documents. March 24, 2009 - President Arroyo signed into law RA 9295, allocating P11.3 billion in additional funds for the 2010 poll automation. March 30, 2009 - The Comelec Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) held a pre-bid conference for the 2010 automation project. The conference was an opportunity for the prospective bidders to seek clarification on any part of the bid documents. At the time of the pre-bid conference, 10 firms have already purchased the TOR/RFP:

1. Smartmatic/TIM
2. Avante International Technology, Inc.
3. Syrex Corporation / Scantron
4. DVS Philippines/Samsung
5. Indra Sistemas S.A.
6. Universal Storefront Services Company/Sequoia
7. All Data Hub International, Inc.
8. Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
9. AMA Group Holdings Corporation/ES&S International
10. Mega Data Corporation

Of the ten firms, three did not submit bid documents in subsequent days: DVS Philippines/Samsung; All Data Hub International, Inc.; and Mega Data Corporation. May 4, 2009 - Comelec SBAC opened the sealed bids and began evaluating the documents submitted by the seven firms. May 4-6, 2009 - Comelec SBAC declared all seven bidders ineligible to bid for failing to comply with the pass/fail criteria set by Comelec.

1. Avante International/ Canon Marketing Philippines/ DB Wizards/ NETNODE Technologies/ Creative Point (May 4)
2. Indra Sistemas/ Strategic Alliance Holdings, Inc. (SAHI)/ Hart Intercivic; (May 4)
3. Sequoia Voting Systems Inc./ Universal Storefront Services Corporation/ USSC-Sequoia Voting Solutions Inc. (May 5)
4. Smartmatic International/ Total Information Management Corp. (May 5)
5. Syrex Inc./ Amalgamated Motors Phils. Inc./ Avision Inc. (May 6)
6. AMA Group Holdings Corp./ Election Systems and Software Int'l Inc. (ES&S) (May 6)
7. Gilat Satellite Network Ltd./ F.F. Cruz and Co., Inc./ Filipinas (Prefab Building) Systems Inc.(May 6)

The bidders filed motions for reconsideration. May 13, 2009 - SBAC ruled on the motions for reconsideration seven bidders. Motion granted:

1. Indra Systemas, S.A., Hart Intercivic, and SAHI
2. Smartmatic and Total Information Management
3. AMA and ES&S
4. Gilat Satellite Network Ltd. / F.F. Cruz and Co., Inc./Filipinas (Prefab Building) Systems, Inc.

Motion denied:

1. Avante International/ Canon Marketing Philippines/ DB Wizards/ NETNODE Technologies/ Creative Point
2. Sequoia Voting Systems Inc./ Universal Storefront Services Corporation/ USSC-Sequoia Voting Solutions Inc.
3. Syrex Inc./ Amalgamated Motors Phils. Inc./ Avision Inc.

Sequoia Voting Systems Inc./USSC subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration. before May 18, 2009 - Gilat, AMA Group Holdings/ES&S, and Sequoia Voting Systems Inc./USSC were disqualified. May 18, 2009 - SBAC disqualified Intra Sistemas/SAHI and Hart Intercivic for non-compliance with COMELEC requirements. June 3, 2009 - SBAC submitted to the Comelec en banc its report recommending the award of the 2010 poll automation contract to Smartmatic/TIM. Smartmatic/TIM passed all the eligibility, technical and financial requirements. According to SBAC, the consortium had the "lowest calculated responsive bid": P7,191,484,739.48 (well within the approved budget for the contract -- P11,223,618,400.00) June 9, 2009 - Comelec en banc approved the SBAC's recommendation. June 10, 2009 - SBAC issued a notice of award to Smartmatic/TIM.