Experts say it's surprising that Son Hai's low bid was still rejected.

From a project management perspective, some argue that low bid prices are not necessarily a positive sign, as they may stem from incomplete or inaccurate calculations of cost factors.

The above opinion was given by Mr. Nguyen Tien Thong, Head of Technical Team, Project Management Department 1 ( Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board) at the seminar "Application of GIS and BIM - Opportunities and challenges" organized by Construction Newspaper on June 27.

The fact that Son Hai Group Company Limited (Son Hai Group) - the bidder with the lowest price (over 732 billion VND) was disqualified due to not meeting technical requirements and sent a petition disagreeing with the bidding results has caused a stir in public opinion in recent days.

The investor said that Son Hai did not meet the requirements for materials and equipment; did not meet the requirements for organizing the implementation of building information modeling (BIM) and did not meet the requirements for machinery and equipment for construction.

BIM ( Building Information Modeling ) is a workflow based on digital 3D models, used throughout the life cycle of a construction project, from design, construction to operation.

BIM is not just a conventional 3D modeling, but also an integrated engineering information system, helping project stakeholders coordinate more effectively.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Tien Thong said that doing a project now requires not only real assets but also digital assets and BIM is the solution to create digital assets.

“In the bidding documents, if the investor requires BIM implementation, it means that the results the investor receives must be two different types of assets. One is real assets on the market and the other is digital assets. If the unit omits digital assets and does not do this part, the total price may be lower,” Mr. Thong analyzed.

Seminar “Application of GIS and BIM - Opportunities and challenges” on June 27. Photo: XD

Mr. Tran Phuc Minh Khoi, Deputy General Director of Portcoast Consulting Joint Stock Company, said that there are currently no detailed guidelines for applying BIM in the bidding phase. Decision 348 dated April 2, 2021 of the Ministry of Construction only provides guidance after winning or appointing a bid, so consulting units have difficulty in preparing bidding documents that apply BIM.

Mr. Khoi also suggested that it is necessary to soon issue criteria for evaluating BIM personnel because there is currently no standard framework to determine who is an expert in this field.

Dr. Ta Ngoc Binh, Head of the Department of Investment and Digital Construction Economics Research at the Institute of Construction Economics (Ministry of Construction), agreed with the opinion of the Ministry of Finance in the report sent to the Government after the inspection of the case related to Son Hai Group.

He emphasized that the policy of applying BIM is completely correct, but also noted that technical criteria need to be clearly specified in the bidding documents to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that contractors can prepare appropriate documents.

Inevitable trend

From a strategic development perspective, Mr. Binh said the current trend is to integrate the BIM model and the GIS geographic information system, creating a GeoBIM solution.

If BIM is the detailed model of the project, GIS plays the role of providing spatial context. This combination will create a digital copy ( Digital Twin ) in the real environment, optimally supporting planning, design and project management.

In particular, in the field of transportation, at the planning and design stage, projects can place 3D models of highways, metro lines or stations in real geographical contexts to analyze optimal route directions, assess environmental and social impacts and simulate visual compensation and site clearance options.

Mr. Bui Van Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Economics - Construction Investment Management (Ministry of Construction), said that project management procedures in the near future will be implemented entirely online.

According to him, promoting the application of BIM is a big but urgent goal, contributing to the implementation of the digital transformation plan of the entire construction industry.

Sharing practical experience, Mr. Tran Xuan Quan, Head of Technology - BIM Department, Dai Phong Construction Design Consulting Joint Stock Company, said that implementing BIM in large-scale projects such as the North - South high-speed railway will bring many practical benefits throughout the project life cycle, from the design stage, project management, construction to operation and maintenance.

However, he noted, the success of the BIM model depends largely on the determination, understanding and commitment of the investor.

“When investors clearly define the goal of applying BIM, have a specific roadmap and commitment, then consultants, designers and contractors can coordinate effectively when implementing projects,” said Mr. Quan.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chuyen-gia-noi-dieu-bat-ngo-vu-son-hai-dua-gia-thau-thap-van-bi-loai-2415904.html