City Prevails in State Review of Bid Protest
The Office of Administrative Hearings of the state Department of
Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) today denied an appeal by
Bombardier Transportation USA Inc. of the City’s decision to uphold
a rail transit contract awarded to Ansaldo Honolulu.
Hearings officer David H. Karlen in an oral ruling granted
motions for summary judgment from both the City and Ansaldo. Karlen
affirmed that the City correctly disqualified Bombardier’s proposal
for refusing to be bound by the terms of the City’s Request for
Proposals and that Bombardier omitted critical material terms that
the City required.
“We’re pleased with today’s ruling,” said Honolulu Authority for
Rapid Transportation Interim Executive Director Toru Hamayasu. “It
reinforces the fact that our procurement process was done properly
and in accordance with state law.”
The City announced in March that Ansaldo Honolulu was awarded
the contract for the core systems, which includes delivery of
vehicles and the train control systems, in addition to the
operation and maintenance of the rail system after
installation.
Sumitomo Corporation of America has also filed an appeal of the
City’s award of the contract to Ansaldo Honolulu with the DCCA, and
motions in this matter are scheduled to be heard Wednesday.