The Philippines Department of Transportation (“DOTr”) invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the “Proposal”) from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to execute a feasibility study (“Study”) for assessing the viability of developing an expanded vessel traffic management system (“Project”) in the Republic of the Philippines (“Host Country”). The Proposal submission deadline is July 31, 2026. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $979,270 grant to DOTr from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
About the Grantee
DOTr is the primary policy, planning, and implementing entity responsible for the development and regulation of transportation systems in the Philippines. Within DOTr, key stakeholders include the Office of the Undersecretary for Maritime and the Philippine Coast Guard (“PCG”), an attached agency under DOTr which is responsible for ensuring maritime safety and security in the Philippines and would be the primary operator of the Project. The PCG is also responsible for enforcing laws within Philippine waters, safeguarding life and property at sea, conducting maritime search and rescue operations, and protecting the marine environment and resources.
Project Background
Maritime communications infrastructure, including vessel traffic management systems (“VTMS”), can help to address maritime safety issues by enabling increased awareness and coordination of maritime traffic, particularly in congested ports and waterways. However, although the Philippines has a complex network of navigational channels and waterways, maritime vessel traffic is not consistently monitored and managed, and advanced infrastructure to quantify marine traffic movements does not exist outside of a few major ports and waterways. This can result in significant vessel congestion in channels, delays at ports, and increased risk of vessel collisions and environmental incidents. In February 2018, DOTr inaugurated the first VTMS for the PCG in Cebu, enabling the PCG to monitor vessels transiting the Cebu Strait and to ensure safe and efficient traffic operations. Under the proposed Project, DOTr and the PCG seek to expand VTMS capabilities to other major ports and navigational paths.
About the Study
The objective of the Study is to assist DOTr in assessing the viability of developing an expanded VTMS to cover major ports and waterways in the Philippines. The Study will assess and rank the potential implementation of VTMS at up to ten pre-identified locations in the Philippines and will select 8-10 locations for further detailed study. For each selected location, the Study will conduct further detailed technical analysis, design the VTMS architecture, and outline the infrastructure and technology requirements for implementation. The Study will also evaluate the performance of the PCG’s existing VTMS center in Cebu and make recommendations for infrastructure and operational improvements. The Study will also evaluate the technical capacity key Project stakeholders and develop recommendations on initial capacity building requirements and ongoing training demands to operate and maintain the VTMS. Finally, the Study will provide a detailed implementation plan that identifies key milestones and activities for DOTr and the PCG to implement the Project.