The procurement of textbooks and learning tools will be faster for the fiscal year 2025, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday.

This came after Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed DepEd Memorandum No. 49, series of 2024 for the Early Procurement Activities (EPA) of the DepEd Central Office, regional offices, and schools division offices (SDOs).

“We are making every effort to improve our procurement process and accelerate its pace,” Angara said in an earlier speech at the House of Representatives.

The EPA aims to “fast-track” the procurement of DepEd goods and services, with contracts awarded before the fiscal year.

“The bidding process for these projects will begin in October 2024, with contracts expected to be awarded and Notices to Proceed (NTPs) issued by January 2025,” the DepEd said in a statement.

The EPA includes stages of posting opportunities, to the recommendation of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), to the Head of Procuring Entities (HoPE), up until the budget approval.

“It applies to procurement projects via Competitive Bidding and Alternative Methods, excluding certain exceptions such as repeat orders, emergency cases, and small-value procurements,” the DepEd added.

The goods and services to be purchased include textbooks, e-learning cart packages, testing materials, learning tools and equipment, smart televisions, laptops, school furniture, health facilities, electrification projects, and construction of last-mile schools, among others. (PNA)