The joint venture that supplied laptops for public school teachers said the computer units it delivered to the Department of Education (Deped) met all technical specifications imposed by government, competitively priced and perform according to their intended use.

In a statement Thursday, Aug. 11, the joint venture of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. (SCDC) and LDLA Marketing & Trading, Inc. (LDLA) stressed that the laptops offered and delivered to Deped were fully compliant with all technical specifications.

The two suppliers added that they also complied with the technical specifications provided by the Department of Education and the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM)

“The PS DBM solicited bids for the supply and delivery of laptop computers with very specific technical requirements. As qualified bidders, we made an offer and won the comprehensive and competitive bidding fair and square,” the group said.

As of early this year, they said all units have been delivered to Deped regional offices throughout the country.

The group also said the laptop sets were priced competitively, taking into account the cost of the unit, peripherals, software, commercial grade durability, comprehensive 36-months warranty and technical support anywhere in the Philippines.

This also includes customization of the items/units as required by DepEd, the suppliers said.

“The public should also note that the Dell Latitude 3420 laptops delivered to the government were custom-built direct from the factory and according to the requirements needed by DepEd and therefore cannot be easily equated to a regular off-the-shelf consumer unit,” the group said.

“It is inaccurate and unfair to say that the offered price is for the laptops alone,” they added.

Moreover, while the JV was contracted to supply the equivalent of a 10th generation processor, it actually delivered the 11th generation processor which was the latest generation at the time of the project, group stressed, the two suppliers said.

“Our clients can also attest that we have been faithfully honoring our after sales support and warranty and have been aiding end users through our after sales partners,” it added.

As to the audit findings, the group said it is not aware of any conclusive nor final Audit Report that has been published by the Commission on Audit.

“We are ready and willing to participate in any proceedings where we will be given the opportunity to show that our product is reliable and capable for its intended use,” it added.

“Our companies have a combined experience spanning more than a decade and we intend to protect our respective reputations as honest and ethical business enterprises,” the group stressed.