#Japan #Tokyo #Infrastructure #Ministry of Land #transport

Resumption of Bidding Procedures After Input Error Checks

On August 19, 2023, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced the resumption of bidding procedures for construction consulting services after identifying and rectifying input errors in past job performance assessments. The errors mainly involved technical evaluation scores used during the bidding process, leading to a temporary suspension of procurement activities since August 4, 2023.

Background and Context

The Ministry discovered that about 510 out of approximately 61,000 cases reviewed had input errors, which amounts to roughly 0.83%. These discrepancies could significantly impact the evaluation process, thus necessitating urgent attention. As part of the correction process, the Ministry coordinated with regional public works offices to review and amend the data, ensuring that accurate figures were re-established.

Steps Taken for Correction

After an intensive review, the Ministry confirmed that the input error checks were completed successfully and that the correct values were now in place as of August 18, 2023. The affected offices are systematically reviewing their records to assess any impacts from these errors before resuming contract bidding procedures. Each office is reaching out individually to notify clients and stakeholders about the status of their contracts.

The Ministry emphasized that they are committed to ensuring transparency and accuracy in their procurement processes. Moving forward, each regional public works office will conduct further evaluations on existing contracts to ascertain if any adjustments are necessary due to the initially incorrect data.

Furthermore, a committee of experts will be convened to investigate the root causes of these input errors and recommend necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Future Protocols

The Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely. It aims to provide solutions and corrective actions if any impacts from the recognized errors are identified during the evaluation of contracts in question. Communication will remain a top priority, with continuous updates provided to those affected by the input errors.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism is taking proactive measures to rectify past mistakes and enhance the integrity of its bidding processes. By implementing detailed checks and engaging with experts, the Ministry aims to restore confidence in its procurement operations, ensuring that all future evaluations are fair and accurate, thereby benefiting both contractors and the public sector.