In response to media enquiries on the temporary suspension of tendering by AECOM Asia Company Limited (AECOM), a spokesperson for the Development Bureau today (June 23) gave the following reply:
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) considered that AECOM did not strictly implement measures to prevent improper use of information in accordance with the terms of its engineering consultancy agreements, entitled "Site Formation and Infrastructural Works for the Initial Sites at Kam Tin South, Yuen Long - Investigation, Design and Construction" and "Planning and Engineering Study for Tuen Mun Areas 40 and 46 and the Adjoining Areas - Feasibility Study", resulting in use of the Territorial Population and Employment Data Matrix (TPEDM) obtained and some traffic count data collected under these government consultancy agreements by AECOM in non-government development projects.
AECOM has been temporarily suspended from tendering by the CEDD for all categories of engineering consultancy agreements within the jurisdiction of the Engineering and Associated Consultants Selection Board for not less than two months (from today to August 22). During the suspension period, for any engineering consultancy agreements involving tenders submitted by AECOM before the commencement of the suspension period, the tender assessment panels of the government departments concerned shall, in accordance with relevant guidelines of the works technical circular, assess AECOM's tenders in detail and seriously consider whether such tenders should be further processed.
To prevent recurrence of similar incidents, the Development Bureau issued a memorandum in November last year requesting all works and related departments to remind consultants employed by them to comply strictly with the "confidentiality" and "conflict of interest" provisions in consultancy agreements.
Furthermore, the Planning Department aggregated the current TPEDM data into 26 larger districts for public dissemination in March this year. Such data can be used as a reference by relevant professions in conducting technical assessments.
Ends/Friday, June 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:15
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