Furthermore, it was verified that, although the contracting company claims to have 19 years of experience in contracts of similar nature and magnitude, its commercial registration provided in the technical offer proves that it was established in 2022.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) announced this Monday the suspension of the contract signed between the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) and the company Transcore LATAM, SRL for the improvement of the traffic control center and the traffic light network of Greater Santo Domingo, after finding evidence of irregularities in the bidding process carried out for such purposes.
The decision is contained in resolution RIC-156-2023, issued on October 27, which is available for consultation in the Legal Framework section of the DGCP's institutional website.
In a press release, the institution explained that after analyzing the documents that make up the administrative file of procedure No. INTRANT-CCC-LPN-2023-0001, which is on the Transactional Portal, and verifying the documents collected in connection with the claims and complaints submitted to the governing body, the existence of the three elements that allow the adoption of an ex officio precautionary measure was confirmed.
In that regard, the institution decided to suspend the effects of contract no. DJ-CSB-009-2023, signed between INTRANT and the company Transcore LATAM, SRL, for an amount of RD$1,317 million 350 thousand 997 for the “Contracting of the Modernization, Expansion and Management Service of the Comprehensive System of the Traffic Control Center and the Traffic Light Network of Greater Santo Domingo”.
The decision to suspend ex officio implies that the contracting parties will not be able to continue with the execution of the aforementioned contract, as a provisional measure, until the hierarchical appeal presented by the company ESC Group, SRL and the three investigation requests presented by Sistemas Integrados de Control, SA (SICTRANSCORE) and Mr. Ricardo Echandi; the company Transcor LP; Icontrol, SRL and KAPSCH Trafficcom Dominican Republic are decided.
The governing body detailed that, among the complaints of irregularities made by said companies, it has been able to preliminarily verify that the technical offer of the winning company contains documents in the English language, without the proper translations.
Furthermore, it was verified that, although the contracting company claims to have 19 years of experience in contracts of similar nature and magnitude, its commercial registration provided in the technical offer proves that it was established in 2022.
Regarding the certifications presented in their technical offer, specifically those issued by Transcore LP and Sictranscore, it is not possible to determine from a simple reading that they refer to Transcore Latam, SRL.
“This Directorate General, having assessed the probability of irreversible damage, has been able to verify that, in light of the alleged irregularities reported, there is a need to prevent the continuation of the execution of the aforementioned contract, until it is determined whether these irregularities have merit or not.”.
It emphasizes that continuing the signed contract, given indications of irregularities that could eventually affect the continuity of the contract, could cause more harm than good.
The DGCP explained that this decision seeks to guarantee the general interest, the efficient use of public spending, and respect for the principles that govern public procurement.
