Requesting Entity: Butuan City Water District (BCWD)

Issues Concern: Guidelines for Shopping and Small Value Procurement

Details

Whether the BAC may proceed with the procurement, through Shopping or Small Value Procurement, even when less than three (3) quotations are received.

Section 3(f) of the Guidelines, specifically provides that in case of Shopping under Section 52.1(b) of the IRR, at least three (3) price quotations must be obtained. The Guidelines does not impose the same requirement in procurement through Shopping under Section 52.1(a) and Small Value Procurement under Section 53.9.

[W]hen the number of quotations obtained is less than three (3), the procuring entity should extend the deadline for the submission of quotations until it has obtained at least three (3) quotations as clearly stated in Section 3(g) of the Guidelines. In the case of procurement through Shopping under Section 52.1(a) and Small Value Procurement under Section 53.9, it is not necessary to obtain at least three (3) quotations.

[I]t is imperative that BCWD obtains at least three (3) quotations before awarding a contract that is procured through Shopping under Section 52.1(b). Failure to comply with this requirement renders the procurement invalid, and the responsible officials accountable for non-compliance with rules and regulations.