Ensuring transparency in selecting contractors for the Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway project

(Dan Tri) - After the Ministry of Finance concluded that the selection of contractors for the Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway "basically complied with regulations", the Government requested that all parties take responsibility, ensure transparency, and avoid negativity.

The Government Office has just conveyed the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on the results of the review of the selection of contractors for the Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh expressway project through Dong Nai province (formerly Binh Phuoc ).

Accordingly, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the People's Committee of Dong Nai province and the Ministry of Finance to take full responsibility for the results of contractor selection and the results of the investigation of the case.

The Government leader emphasized that the People's Committee of Dong Nai province and the Ministry of Finance must properly exercise their authority and duties according to legal regulations; at the same time, ensure publicity, transparency, and no negativity, corruption, or waste.

Perspective of Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh Expressway (Photo: Investor).

Previously, in a report sent to the Government leaders, the Ministry of Finance assessed that the process and procedures for selecting contractors for the Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh expressway project basically complied with the provisions of the law on bidding.

The Ministry of Finance assessed that the People's Committee of Dong Nai province had explained a number of shortcomings in the preparation for contractor selection, and had directed the investor to review the electronic bidding documents (E-HSMT) and re-examine the entire contractor selection process.

In the coming time, the People's Committee of Dong Nai province must direct the investor to explain and clarify the existing contents and take responsibility for the results of the E-HSDT evaluation; ensure that the winning bidder must have full capacity, experience, technical and financial solutions, meet quality and progress requirements and avoid loss and negativity.

The Ministry of Finance requested the investor, under the direction of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, to continue to receive and resolve the contractors' petitions in accordance with the provisions of law.

The Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh expressway project (section passing through the old Binh Phuoc province) broke ground on December 14, 2024 (Photo: AL).

Previously, in an explanatory report to the Government leaders, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee stated that the re-evaluation of the bidding documents for the Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh Expressway did not change the results. Son Hai Group was still among the group of enterprises that failed the bid.

After reviewing, Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the petition of Son Hai Group was inappropriate. The Department of Finance advised the People's Committee of Binh Phuoc Province (old) to handle the petition of this enterprise in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Bidding.

At the end of May, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested the establishment of an inter-ministerial working group including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction to inspect the selection of contractors for the Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh expressway section through Binh Phuoc province (now Dong Nai province).

The request of the Government leader was made after Son Hai Group sent a document protesting the results of contractor selection at the Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh expressway project invested by the Binh Phuoc Province Construction Investment Project Management Board.

This company offered the lowest bid (over 732 billion VND, saving the budget over 148 billion VND), but still lost the bid. The winning bidder was a joint venture contractor with a higher bid (over 866 billion VND).

The Ministry of Finance has stepped in to inspect and pointed out many problems in E-HSMT and the professional capacity of the expert team.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/dam-bao-minh-bach-viec-lua-chon-nha-thau-du-an-cao-toc-tphcm-chon-thanh-20250903180156193.htm