Railroad Corporation: "Detailed Design of Transmission Equipment Procurement and Installation Project is the Implementer's Responsibility"

by Roh Kyungjo

Published 17 Oct.2024 17:58(KST)

The Korea Rail Network Authority recently announced regarding the large-scale transmission equipment (IP-MPLS) purchase and installation project, for which bidding has closed, that "basic design was carried out through a specialized design firm for ordering, and the detailed design will be carried out later by the selected contractor."

Korea Rail Network Authority Daejeon Office / Photo by Korea Rail Network Authority

On the 17th, the Rail Network Authority stated that the claim that "the scope of the contractor's detailed design added in the prior specification change notice for this project may additionally reflect areas omitted during the detailed design process conducted by the Authority" is not true.

They added, "Even in the case of design-build lump-sum bidding (T/K), the project executor carries out the detailed design."

Regarding criticism that the number of technical advisory committee members in the information and communication (IT) field operated by the Rail Network Authority (90 members) does not meet the minimum required number (150 members), they explained, "Proposal evaluation committees are composed according to the internal 'Technical Advisory Committee Operation Guidelines,' with more than two-thirds external members and up to one-third internal members."

They further elaborated, "We have secured over 300 external member candidates, and internal evaluators will be implemented excluding non-IT field employees." This implies that they are also addressing structural issues where evaluations could be influenced by hierarchy.

Meanwhile, this project is divided and implemented into high-speed rail sections, general rail southern region, and northern region. Four consortia participated in the bidding, and a total of 12 bids across three projects have been submitted. The project period is until December 30, 2028.

The Rail Network Authority stated, "We will select contractors fairly and transparently according to relevant standards and procedures."