Frigate 30mm Ammunition Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

As part of the acquisition of frigates by the Philippine Navy, a separate lot for the acquisition of munitions was also provided as part of the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

This entry discusses updates on the Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2C Sublot-2: 30mm Ammunition acquisition project of the Philippine Navy.

Acquisition of 30mm Ammunition is required for the Aselsan SMASH 30mm naval guns of the Jose Rizal-class frigates. Credits to original source of the photos above.

Project Summary:

Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2C Sublot 2 - 30mm Ammunition Acquisition Project

Note: Edited as of 25 June 2019:

* End User: Philippine Navy (Offshore Combat Force)

* Quantity: 1 lot

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 phase Priority Projects of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php114,147,256.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* SARO Release: TBA

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: 
    - 3,000 rounds CTG 30mm TPT
    - 6,000 rounds CTG 30mm HEI
    - 2 units cutout model of CTG 30mm TPT
    - 2 units cutout model of CTG 30mm HEI

* Contract Price: TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 07 February 2016

* Searching Hashtag: #PNFAPLot2C30mmAmmoAcquisition

* Status: Bidding process ongoing, Re-bid Invitation to Bid released, SOBE re-scheduled to 16 July 2019.


Overview:

The acquisition of 30mm ammunition was originally part of the frigate's requirements, wherein the shipbuilder shall provide the ammunition as part of the deal to build the frigates.

The decision to separate the acquisition of ammunition was made in 2016 prior to the start of the 2nd Stage Bidding of the Frigate Acquisition Project. The decision was in line with the request of most of the interested shipbuilders to separate the acquisition of ammunition from the frigate platform itself as shipbuilders are not in a position to purchase munitions like missiles on behalf of the Philippine Navy.

Usually, it is the end user that directly acquires the munitions as this requires government approval and cannot just be sold to any company or entity.

Originally the budget allocated for this project was Php100,000,000.00. But based on the bid documents, it was increased to Php114,147,256.00.


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U P D A T E S:
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07 February 2016:

The Department of National Defense (DND) released the Bid Documents for the 2nd Stage Bidding of the Frigate Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy, and the requirement now separates the acquisition of munitions fro the actual frigate platform.

Since the caliber of the secondary gun was placed in the specs as between 30mm to 40mm, there was no specifics with regards to size of the munition to be acquired. Besides, since the acquisition of the munitions has become separate, this was not given priority anymore until the frigate platform is confirmed and its design approved.

This was discussed on MaxDefense's blog entry, which can be accessed from the link below:

"The Philippine Navy's Frigate Acquisition Program Finally Moves in 2016! New Technical Specification Released and Tender Soon" - first posted 07 February 2016.


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03 September 2016:

MaxDefense discussed the weapon subsystems submitted by the winning shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), as well as that of the losing shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for comparison.

Both shipbuilders offered a 30mm caliber gun, which means the ammunition needed would be compatible to the guns.

"The Philippine Navy's Future Frigate from Hyundai: Discussing the Ship's Design and Some of its Expected Subsystems" - first posted on 03 September 2016


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05 March 2019:

The DND has released an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2C Sublot 2: 30mm Ammunition acquisition project.

The munitions are 30 x 173mm, and should be compatible with the Aselsan SMASH 30mm gun's Mk.44 Bushmaster II cannon.

The schedule of requirements are as follows:

A. Ctg. 30mm Ammunition Target Practice Tracer (TPT): 4,000 rounds
B. Ctg. 30mm Ammunition High Explosive Incendiary (HEI): 6,000 rounds
C. Cut-aways: 2 nos. TPT, 2 nos. HEI
The Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) is Php114,147,256.00, and the winning bidder is required to deliver the goods within 360 days from receiving the Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the DND.

Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled 14 March 2019, while the Submission deadline and Opening of Bids is scheduled on 28 March 2019.

Part of the Invitation to Bid for the Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2C Sublot 2: 30mm Ammunition. Photo screenshot from bid docs as provided in DND's website.

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14 March 2019:

The Bid Submission deadline and Bid Opening schedule was moved from 28 March 2019, to 30 April 2019.

Updated closing date of submission of bids, now indicating 30 March 2019. Photo screengrabbed from PhilGEPS.

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19 June 2019:

It appears that the 1st bidding attempt failed, as the DND released a new set of Bid Documents indicating it to be a Rebid.

The new Submission and Opening of Bids is now scheduled on 18 June 2019, but this was later moved to 25 June 2019.


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25 June 2019:

The DND released Supplemental Bid Bulletin No. DND/PN-FAP2C2-18-R2-01 dated 25 June 2019, wherein it mentioned that based on the Pre-Bid Conference held on 18 June 2019, and a letter from Nammo Palencia of Spain dated 19 June 2019, the Submission and Opening of Bid Envelopes (SOBE) is being moved from 02 July 2019 to 16 July 2019.

The SBB from the DND can be accessed through the link provided HERE.


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