'Tighter checks for contractors to curb bid-rigging'

A lawmaker on Tuesday urged the government to strengthen the background screening process for contractors to be listed on its new tendering platform that will be launched in the fourth quarter this year.

The enhanced version of "Smart Tender", rolled out by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), aims to reduce the risk of bid-rigging in building repair works, following the deadly Wang Fuk Court inferno.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, DAB lawmaker Chan Hok-fung said situations in the past had been unsatisfactory as it solely relied on information provided by contractors, which led to instances where several companies ended up sharing the same director.

Chan, who is also a non-executive director at the URA, said the enhanced system would include criminal background checks, as well as look into whether there are affiliations among directors and whether the company is involved in any lawsuits or has outstanding debts.

But he said the URA should further narrow down the number of contractors property owners can choose from after a shortlist has been drawn up under the new system.

"The URA has no conflict of interest with the entire bidding process itself. So the URA should, based on the information they gathered and their professional judgement, shortlist one or two companies for property owners to choose from. This would minimise the chances in which other companies would interfere with property owners' decision making," Chan said.

He added that authorities may look into the possibility of requiring all buildings to use the improved platform when repairs have to be carried out.

Meanwhile, Vincent Ho, who chairs the Task Force on Building Repair, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition at the Institute of Surveyors, said the URA's role may need to be expanded in the future.

He said going forward, the administration may have to allocate additional resources to the URA, or establish an independent department to follow up on works that aim to curb bid-rigging.

Edited by Aaron Tam ...