Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Two Bidders on Honolulu Rail File Protests

Details are emerging on protests filed by two losing bidders on the Honolulu rail project. Sumitomo’s objections are detailed today at Civil Beat, the online subscription news service that’s available to “occasional visitors” without charge.

Bombardier also has protested, saying its disqualification from the selection process “at the eleventh hour” was improper.

Winning bidder Ansaldo went on the offense over the weekend with a commentary in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that cites its successes around the world.

Two City Council members will see for themselves by traveling to Copenhagen, Denmark, where Ansaldo’s system has won acclaim, and Los Angeles, where its performance has been criticized.

The City will evaluate the protests “according to procurement law,” according to a spokesperson for the mayor. And Director of Transportation Services Wayne Yoshioka told Civil Beat: “All the evaluation criteria, that was revealed to everyone. They had an opportunity to make comments and ask for any changes at that time, and no one did. It’s a little late to be talking about this stuff.”

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