Quang Binh concludes the case of "Contractor saving 1.7 billion VND was unexpectedly eliminated"

(NLDO) - The conclusion of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province shows that the expert team evaluating the bidding documents did not comply with the provisions of the 2023 Bidding Law.

Headquarters of Long Dai Industrial Forestry Company Limited - Photo by Hoang Phuc

According to a source from Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, the Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province, Mr. Doan Ngoc Lam, signed a decision to resolve the petition regarding the forestry construction package of the second phase of the 2024 replacement forest planting project - invested by Long Dai Industrial Forestry Company Limited.

The above move was made after Hung Nam Production and Trading Company Limited sent a petition, and the petition report from the Advisory Council - Department of Planning and Investment of Quang Binh province was sent to the Provincial People's Committee. In particular, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper has continuously reported the shortcomings of this bidding package, including the contractor saving 1.7 billion VND on the budget being eliminated, while the unit reducing only 50 million VND won the bid.

The conclusion of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province shows that the expert team evaluating the bidding documents established by Viet An Construction Consulting Company Limited (the consulting unit) did not comply with the provisions of the Bidding Law 2023. Specifically, the expert team had only one member, who did not fully meet the required capacity. The bid evaluation report did not ensure legality and was not sufficient basis for approving the contractor selection results.

The second phase of the 2024 replacement forest planting project will be implemented on an area of ​​150 hectares, including 100 hectares at Khe Giua Forest Enterprise and 50 hectares at Truong Son Forest Enterprise.

The Provincial People's Committee determined that the proposal of Hung Nam Company was well-founded. At the same time, it requested Long Dai Forestry Industry Company to cancel the decision approving the contractor selection results and cancel the decision to cancel the bid.

Long Dai Industrial Forestry Company is required to establish a new Expert Team and Appraisal Team - to re-evaluate the bidding documents within 30 days, with the condition that the members who participated in the previous evaluation and appraisal are not included. In addition, this unit must pay all costs for handling the petition according to the notice from the Department of Planning and Investment, and bear all arising damages and compensate related parties.

Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee also assigned the Provincial Inspectorate to preside over the establishment of an interdisciplinary inspection team to verify and advise the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to handle violations by investors, bidding consultants and related parties.

Although the conclusion showed that the elimination of Hung Nam Company violated the 2013 Bidding Law, the People's Committee of Quang Binh Province said that there was "no basis" to consider this unit as the winning bidder. This made the public wait for the Expert Group and the Appraisal Group to re-evaluate in the most objective and transparent manner.

Previously, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper continuously reported that the forestry construction package of the second phase of the 2024 replacement forest planting project in Quang Binh has a large value, attracting 2 contractors to participate. Hung Nam Company bid more than 8.7 billion VND (a decrease of 1.7 billion VND compared to the package price), while Huong Sac Investment and Construction Company Limited only reduced 50 million VND, with a bid price of more than 10.4 billion VND.

It is worth mentioning that Huong Sac Company was selected to win the bid even though the reduction was only 0.5%, while Hung Nam Company was eliminated due to "incorrect electronic tax data, alleged fraud" and was even proposed to be banned from participating in the bid.

Hung Nam Company affirmed that the error was just a mistake, not fraud, and questioned whether there was a "collusion" between the investor, the consulting unit, and Huong Sac Company to intentionally eliminate the unit to save budget... causing outrage among local public opinion.

After the Lao Dong Newspaper spoke up, Long Dai Industrial Forestry Company (the investor) suddenly canceled the contractor selection results and re-organized the bidding, with the reason "to ensure transparency and objectivity according to legal regulations".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/quang-binh-ket-luan-vu-nha-thau-tiet-kiem-17-ti-dong-bat-ngo-bi-loai-196250116115159717.htm