CSI attempt: nParks Brompton procurement process ended up with a dodgy winning bidder!

[SIM37_]

After watching the TV show about the nParks brompton purchase. I've got more serious questions about this particular "company" that won the tender.

Note: I've no question over the model selection as I know the quality of a brompton bicycle. Besides the tender process, I just have these key questions/observations as to the eventual winner of this tender, a company known as "bikehop".

This company Bikehop,

Are they a bicycle shop?
Are they a tour agency?
Are they an online shop?

I can't figure this out.

Their registered address is a terrace house in a residential area at Siak Kew Ave (Potong Pasir area). It doesn't operate as a brick/motar bicycle shop nor does it apparantly have any links online to sell bicycles. The issue of whether they can provide actual technical/mechanical support and assistance is questioned. Brompton's authorised distributor and their network of dealers in Singapore offer a standard 5 year warranty on frames and 2 year on parts, exceeding the tender requirements by a lot! With only $50 more expensive then the eventual winning bid.

Also, I notice that there are strict regulations pertaining to registering a company as a tour agency. Their website and apparantly their youtube channel potray themselves as a tour agency conducting tours in Singapore and overseas?

Besides doing the usual procedures of company registration with a Key executive and directors, they must also have these two KEY elements.

Paid-up Capital – The company must have paid-up capital of at least S$100,000.

Email Address and TRUST – The company must have a website to operate the business. The company must also observe the “Terms and Conditions for the Use of the Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST)”. The TRUST website is a state-sanctioned website that provides relevant information, resources and advice related to the travel industry in Singapore.

I went to the TRUST website ( https://trust.yoursingapore.com/tru...e=0&keyWord=&DISPLAY_TYPE=SUMMARY&FORMAT=HTML) and searched for the comapny Bikehop.

They were not listed there. Either they are not a registered tour agency or have not updated their information. TRUST lists all the up to dat information on all licensed travel/tour agents in Singapore. But judging from their videos and website, the company has at least been around for almost a year?

Office Space and Signboard – The company must set up a business office dedicated solely to travel agency operations. The space cannot be shared with any other type of business. An easily visible signboard that reflects the nature your business must be erected. If you are an individual freelance travel agent conducting business from home, in either an HDB flat or private accommodation, you must obtain approval from the Housing Development Board or Urban Redevelopment Authority before the STB will give you your license.

I don't seem to recall having seen any Tour Agency operating from the purported terrace house in Siak Kew Avenue. And since a tour agency CANNOT be shared with any other type of business, the question again I ask.

"Are they a bike shop?"
or
"Are they a tour agency?"

So besides information about the tender, what I also noticed was this.

The notice of tender was drawn up on 19 Jan, just before Chinese new year and put up on the gebiz site on 3rd day of Chinese New Year?

If I want to place a open tender bidding, I would want MAXIMUM exposure to all in the industry for them to have time to come up with their offers.

1. Which bicycle shop do you know in Singapore opens on 3rd day of CNY and will scan the gebiz website that has a tender that expires in a few days time?

2. None of any brompton's official distributor or their local dealer networks knew about the deal.

3. Even if the authorised distributor submitted a bid, they can still be beaten by their own dealer networks, the auth distro is under obligation not to undercut their retailer networks (The irony in this situation is that nParks potentially can get their bromptons possibly much cheaper and WITH full warranty mech/tech support).

The points that I have brought up, meant that obtaining bromptons from bikehop isn't the best deal by far.

The eventual sole offer submitted was 2 models from the same company.

1. with 26 bromptons with a price tag $2200 each, $50 off the stated retail price from the local distro.

1. A "bike friday" foldable bike with $2500 as the price.

So to Minister Khaw, the tender process does is indeed questionable.

If there are seasoned riders and bicycle dealers consulted before this tender process was implemented. Why was it that.

1. The tender seemed to be timed in such a way to MINIMIZE exposure to the cycling industry, only 3-4 days after CNY. And we know a lot of bicycle retailers (and many other business for that matter) in Singapore actually close that week.

2. The eventual winner legitimacy as a bike shop? An online store? A tour agency?

3. Mechanical support. While bromptons can last very long. I known of a brompton owner that doesn't really maintain his bike but rides regularly, the bike still works after 10 over years.

4. nParks DID have a brompton workshop with the authorized dealers, the proof can be found in on 4 Sep 2011 which can be seen in diginexx's photo page on facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150303604071950.363617.114325051949&type=3)

Forty-six Diginexx's Brompton riders visited Hort Park on Sunday 4 September and spent an afternoon hanging out with fellow B riders, having fun learning how to change their tubes, tyres and degrease their bike chains. The sturdy stand pump owned by Yih Yng was a saviour to many! Many thanks to Bernard Lim of the National Park Board for the kind use of the Multi-Purpose Hall, thank you very much to our helpful elves, David, Steven, YM, Tommy, Gary, Danny and Patrick, Noelle, Joyce and Fabian! Photos credits to Danny, Fabian, Noelle and Patrick! Thank you for a great afternoon of camaraderie and friendship!

A supposed nParks staff actually PRESENTING a Park Connector Network plan to the participants.

5. How were there other models evaluated in the tender?

Ah well, the irony of the situation is, that if nparks had bought 26 Toyota Prius, there wouldn't be too much ruckus over it isn't it? After all $57,200 can't even buy a stupid COE nowadays.

My $0.02 without GST.

Those who want to view the details of the tender can go to http://www.gebiz.gov.sg/scripts/mai...J1mb5HtLRgSQt8l!1882041747!6641118?tab=notice

 

[edmw_ultraman]

Added Singaporean1st contribution:
Ministry Of Finance

Government Procurement

All Government Procuring Entities (GPEs), that is, Ministries, Departments, Organs of State and Statutory Boards, acquiring goods, services and construction services either for their own use or on behalf of another GPEs are to work within this Government Procurement (GP) framework.
Our key principles governing GP are as follows:

(a) Transparency
We subscribe to an open and transparent procurement regime across all stages of the procurement lifecycle. The government's procurement procedures and evaluation criteria for each procurement are made known to suppliers.

(b) Open and Fair Competition
An open and competitive environment will encourage suppliers to give their best offers. Suppliers are given equitable access opportunities and compete on a level playing field.

(c) Value for Money
Government will procure from sources that can best meet its requirements and which offer the best value. Value for money is derived from the optimal balance of benefits and costs on the basis of total cost of ownership. As such, value for money does not necessarily mean that a tender must be awarded to the lowest bidder.

Ministry Of Finance - Our Policies



-------------------

[UPDATE 3] 16th July 2012 9:00am


Hello all Singapore tax payers,


Good morning, and thanks for tuning in.

This is going to be a long story, and believe me… i've already tried my best to cut it as short as possible.

There are so many new intertwined details that i do not even know how is the best way to begin presenting them so that you can digest it smoothly, but at the end of the day, you will find that this whole finding is actually very simple and yet shocking, which will lead to more questions to be directed to the relevant parties- This i guarantee you. For those who can't grasp the whole 'story' please scroll below and read through all the 'Updates' posted before today.

First thing first! i would like to say upfront that i am NOT making any accusation of any criminal wrong doings on anybody's part. Also, i am not anti-government, anti-what-political-party, or anti-whatever-is-your-face, etc… So for those who might be reposting my stuffs on your own platforms to push your own political agendas or whatever, sorry, i don't endorse you at all.

All that i am publishing, are only questions. Serious questions of accountability, transparency, the rights of the Singapore public to know why and how our tax dollars are being used, wether appropriately or in-appropriately. Questions based on my own findings of facts and details that seem suspicious to me, but again, do not amount to of criminal nature.

Whether these revelations might contain any real smoking-gun or not, i really do not know. And whether if you will find them relevant or not, well, its up to you do your own deduction. And if this leads to any authority to start conducting their own official investigations, then i most certainly will appreciate.

But ultimately, my hope is to help send a vital message across: to everyone, especially to all those have been given responsibility and being placed upon with trust; those conducting official-businesses using precious Singapore's tax-payers money; that you cannot take for granted our trusts, cannot mishandle any public fund wether intentionally or unintentionally and think that you can just walk away with it, without providing full accountability.

Because what you're handling, is not your money. It is our tax-payers'!

--

Ok, now onto the new discoveries.

BikeHop Pte. Ltd.

You all know who the bosses of BikeHop are?

Listed on their website Bikehop - Hop on our bike to explore Singapore! is this old photo with no names of business operator anywhere to be found on the site.

Anyway, they are from Left to right- Mr. Lawrence Lim ChunHow https://www.facebook.com/lawlim1010, Mr. Willie Ong Willie Ong | Facebook, and Mr. Kok How Lim Kok How Lim | Facebook.

The main boss here is Lawrence Lim (Managing Director) 40 yr old.

BikeHop also has a facebook page. BikeHop Singapore | Facebook

We'll come back to that fan page later on.


Now to Mr. Wesley Su Weiqiang. http://www.facebook.com/Wezzzzo

You all should also know by now that he is the NParks 'contact person' for the '26 foldable bicycles' quotation notice ( at Gebiz.gov.sg ( ITQ No.: NPB000ETQ12000033 )

He is also the manager for Park Connector Network (PCN) as listed under Government/MND directory. gov.sg — Directory

Now, as stated before, i find the whole procurement very weird.

1-Shortest quotation period;
2-Very specific specs-requirement list [Please see Update 2 this suspicious list]
3-Closed with only 1 bidder
4-Awarded to a non-authorized dealer. (Instead of a local authorized dealer who could provide 5 years warranty)

i began to wonder if there could be any possibility that this contract was awarded with bias by NParks?

Again, i need to remind you guys that we are not talking about 26 durians here. We are talking about 26 high-end bicycles costing $2,200 each, a total of $57,200 of public fund. This sum of $57.2k, is higher than many Singaporeans' total income for 2 or even 3 years.
Yes, these bicycles could certainly be helpful for NParks officers to better perform their duties, i don't doubt that.
However, what i wish for you to focus on, is that, a large amount of public fund is involved, and for sure nobody can deny this.
Don't lose this focus. And that, all aspects of these type of procurements should be able to stand up to scrutiny, and not just providing the public with some half-answers, half-truths, etc.. when questioned & inquired by the public. Or else, there will be no accountability.

Thus, i began to intensify my check on BikeHop.
Amongst the stuffs i notice while researching about them, i notice one interesting person on BikeHop's facebookpage.
For now lets call him Mystery Guy no.1 alright.
Then as i felt i'm done with checking everything on BikeHop including their details on Bizfile/ACRA etc… I went back checking on Wesley Su.

And in the middle of my research on Mr. Wesley Su, i began to notice the name of the Mystery Guy 1 popping up again.

Gradually, i became aware that in fact this name has been popping up left and right and center, over and over again, in the midst of my investigating the whole NParks-Brompton procurement!

Mystery Guy 1 is in the blogs, Mystery Guy 1 is in the cyclists forums, he is on BikeHop's Facebook friends list, he is on Wesley's FB friends list, he is even on the news paper!!!
Yup, In fact he went as far as submitting both an online letter and a print letter to both the Straits Times print and oline forums, in support of Nparks' procurement of the Brompton brand bicycles.
Well, Mystery Guy 1 is Mr. Woon Taiwoon. https://www.facebook.com/taiwoon

Now, so who is this Woon Taiwoon? Well, after much research, i learnt that he is actually a very prominent leisure cyclist here in Singapore. He has his own cycling blogs.
Participate actively in forums and showing alot of support of NParks.
He is also the founder of a very active bicycle lovers club and conduct cycling gatherings/outings on a regular basis.
http://www.lovecyclingsg.com/ | NParks | Unfold and Cycle | smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.com
He is friends with BikeHop owners before January 2012.

I also found proofs that that Mr Woon Taiwoon already knew about Mr Wesley in person before September 2011, in this notice posted on 24th Sept 2011 - Lets Get Active ride by Nparks for the parks festival regarding an invitation from Wesley Su on behalf of NParks for a "Let's Get Active ride" event by NParks.

Interestingly, Woon Taiwoon has also been interviewed on numerous occasion by the news media and NParks on matters such such how to improve the parks and PCN, as apparently, they find him an expert leisure-cyclist.

Thus i began to research more on Mr Woon Taiwoon, and found to my amazement, that he is also a friend of BikeHop director Mr. Lawrence Lim since 2011. Which makes me wonder more if there could be any deeper 'links' between this 3 persons, Lawrence Lim, Taiwoon and Wesley?

But in between, i must explain how i am so sure of establishing that the Wesley Su on the facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Wezzzzo is the Wesley Su from NParks since he did not disclose where he work at on his profile page?
Well, I did my deduction base on the triangulation of his colleague's facebook accounts who prominently state that they are National Parks Board employees, namely, Mr Gabriel Tang Gabriel Tang | Facebook (who has been partnering Wesley on numerous assignments), Mr Mervyn Tan Mervyn Tan | Facebook (who is another manager for NParks PCN), and other National Parks employees such as Cindy Teng http://www.facebook.com/cindy.teng.5036 , Markie Teo http://www.facebook.com/markieteo , Hisham Mustafa http://www.facebook.com/hisham.mustafa.12 etc.. They all have Wesley Su in their FB friends list. Thus, from this i can guarantee that this account belongs to Wesley Su of NParks.

All these Facebook craps might seem trivial. But the reason why i need to make sure of these, is extremely vital. It is to establish the facts and evidences pertaining to who knew who, before the NParks-BikeHop quotation dealings on and from January 2012. All these are electronically time-stamped and logged evidences.

Are they friends only after the deal? Or were they friends and in contact with each other already before the procurement?

All these wonderings and further investigations soon lead me to Mystery Guy no. 2. The last main character that is of high importance related to this whole affair. Why i use the word 'high' is because…. lets talk about this later on.

First, you need to know that this Mystery Guy 2 is so well 'loved' because, again, just like Mystery Guy 1, he is everywhere!

Mystery Guy 2 is in Mr Woon Taiwoon's blog (being interviewed by Woon on 27th December 2011) smallwheelsbigsmile: Rider profile - Bernard Lim ,

He is an active cyclist and a big fan of Brompton bicycles,

He has BikeHop's Fan FB page in is own friends list…

He is friend all 3 BikeHope owners- befriended Lawrence and Willie Ong in 2011 (could be even earlier).

And he is also an employee of…. yes you guess it, National Parks board!

But who exactly is this Mystery Guy no.2 and what's his name and position at NParks?

Woon Taiwoon interviewing Bernard Lim on his Brompton and cyclying passion 27 December 2011
"..but I do ride a Brompton to commute, and trying to ride old steelers (for show only) and to dabble in a few vintage ones (to appreciate craftmanship and heritage). Just bought a BMX from Tiger Tang which I shall now call it TIGER!
• Your favorite cycling kakis
Has to be Albert who introduced me to the Brompton..." Smallwheelsbigsmile: Rider profile - Bernard Lim

Well, he is none other than Mr. Bernard Lim Yong Soon, NParks Assistant Director, of the Park Connector Network division.
http://www.facebook.com/bernard.ys
Looking at the MND directory, gov.sg — Directory
he is the head of the division and superior of Mr Wesley Su. And he is also the one in-charge of the procurement of the 26 foldable bicycles for NParks, PCN.

Now ladies and gentlemen. Are you aware of the relations now?
Maybe you are still abit lost. I think i better recap for easier understanding:

-BikeHop is owned by Lawrence Lim (and his 2 partners).

-Lawrence Lim is friend with Mr Woon Taiwoon before January 2012. (who is very vocal about NParks having gotten 'A Good Deal' with the Brompton purchases from BikeHop).

-Woon Taiwoon is friend of both Bernard Lim and Wesley Su from NParks.

-Wesley Su is working under instructions from Bernard Lim at Nparks.

-Bernard Lim is a friend of ALL 3 BikerHop owners; Bernard knew Lawrence Lim and Willie Ong before January 2012.

-Friend is friends with friends and friends…. they are all friends and fans of Brompton bikes…!!! ^_^

Bernard Lim, Brompton fan & good friend of BikeHop even before January 2012.

Now you might ask what can one prove, even though there are solid evidences that all these Bompton bike lovers knew each other before the January 2012 procurement?
Well, my answer to you is, i can't prove anything else beyond this fact.
Because i am not someone who is able to conduct checks into people's email, sms, phone call logs, or even bank transactions. I'm not superman.
Maybe only some people with power can.

Anyway, let's break it all down even simpler for you:

Assistant Director Mr. Bernard Lim of National Parks Board PCN,
is already a big fan of Brompton brand foldable bicycles,
and is a friend of at least 2 BikeHop bosses - Mr. Lawrence Lim and Mr. Willie Ong, BEFORE the short quotation notice was put up at Gebiz on the 25th January 2012
(which concluded with NParks buying 26 Brompton bicycles from BikeHop.)
Take note, these were BEFORE the procurement, not after.

End of update 3.

Now do you smell a rat? Or do you smell a fish?

Bernard Lim, Brompton fan & good friend of BikeHop even before January 2012.





[The internet is serious business.]






[PREVIOUS UPDATES] 14th Junly 2012

This is the EXTRA CSI attempt in continuation of SIM37's work at:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/e...ss-ended-up-dodgy-winning-bidder-3814897.html

This EXTRA CSI will be breakdown into 3 parts.

Part 1) BikeHop's owner details uncovered.

This particular Mr. LAWRENCE LIM CHUN HOW. He is the 'Managing Director' of bikehop.
Google + Profile: https://plus.google.com/102167453582487789002/posts
BikeHop youtube channel: bikehopsgp's channel - YouTube
He has also been contacted by AsiaOne "When contacted, BikeHop managing director Lawrence Lim, 40, declined to comment." (source: Are NParks' $2,200 bikes too costly?)

His facebook 'about' page does not show his dealings with Bikeshop. It is the same when it comes to Bike-hop.com's website which does not show any more details about the owner, NOT even a single name of any 'partners'

However that cannot stop my CSI attempt to further uncover his identity.
it is evident that this is his facebook link: Lawrence Lim | Facebook

Lawrence Lim -> The one on right

He is linked with BikeHop's Facebook: BikeHop Singapore | Facebook
Another photo here: http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/394058_177099715721349_1343952122_n.jpg

i don't wanna give the government more money by paying $5.50 to know more about bikehop. later they use the money to buy Maserati for traffic police from TuckedUp Performance Motors Pte Ltd.

guess our pals here can start with a lim chun how lawrence. is he the offspring of some higher mortal?

C110296983 Apply for a New Company Name

Receipt No. : ACR0001014651856
Transaction Date :15/07/2011
Lodged By : LIM CHUN HOW LAWRENCE
Folio No. : 1

C110309391 Company Incorporation

Receipt No. : ACR0001014738303
Transaction Date :22/07/2011
Lodged By : LIM CHUN HOW LAWRENCE
Folio No. : 2

C110350081 CHANGE OF PARTICULARS OF OFFICERS OF LOCAL COMPANY

Receipt No. : ACR0001014933267
Transaction Date :08/08/2011
Lodged By : LIM CHUN HOW LAWRENCE
Folio No. : 3

C110678688 Return of Allotment of Shares

Receipt No. : ACR0001016392299
Transaction Date :12/12/2011
Lodged By : LIM CHUN HOW LAWRENCE
Folio No. : 4

C120044429 Notice by Local Company of Transfer of Shares / Change in Particulars of Shareholders

Receipt No. : ACR0001017019765
Transaction Date :01/02/2012
Lodged By : LIM CHUN HOW LAWRENCE
Folio No. : 5

C120044546 CHANGE OF PARTICULARS OF OFFICERS OF LOCAL COMPANY

Receipt No. : ACR0001017020428
Transaction Date :01/02/2012
Lodged By : LIM CHUN HOW LAWRENCE
Folio No. : 6

--

Part 2) Gebiz Quotation Notice CSI Analysis

(Contact person for that quotation: Name Wesley Su Weiqiang Tel 81271682
Email WESLEY_SU@NPARKS.GOV.SG)

ITQ No.: NPB000ETQ12000033
Ref.737-01/12

Publication Date and Time 25/01/2012 4:40 PM
Closing Date and Time 30/01/2012 11:59 PM

(Source: GeBIZ Partner :: Main )
--
If you see carefully, the quotation period as set by the National Parks' quotation officer, is ONLY 5 days. So why such a rush??
Infact, 28th & 29th January is Saturday & Sunday.
Thus, it leaves very little room for potential bidders to be aware of this tender.
So, my question is, does it seem like the Nparks quotation officer is trying to rap it up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and call it a day within 3 working days? 26th (Thur), 27th (Fri) and 30th January (Monday)?

Judging from the specs requirement (see below) drawn up by the NParks quotation officer, it seems that he knows well about foldable bikes.
Thus, how can he not know that they are many foldable bike suppliers out there in Singapore who could have also bidded? Why was the quotation period restricted to just 3 working/business days? Why didn't he lengthen the period so to allow and COMPARE more options from other would-be/possible bidders, instead of just 1 bidder which is NOT even a proper bicycles seller?

Is it possible that Nparks (Or the purchasing officer) already have a particular model or brand of foldable bike from a particular company already on his mind before they publish the quotation notice at Gebiz?


--


Part 3) QUESTIONABLE requirements in quotation notice
(Which might have escaped your suspicion at first glance.):

Basically:
1— Be foldable.
2— Can be brought onto public buses and MRT trains.
3— Have 16-inch wheels.
4— Weigh between 11 kg and 13 kg.
5— Have at least 6 speeds.
6— Be provided with one year's warranty and free basic servicing.

First lets look at requirement number 3 and 4.
Why must the person who drew that list, insist on 16-inch wheels?
Well, a simple search on the web shows that, that is NOT the only wheel size that foldable bikes can have.
Also worth noticing is that It is stated in official Brompton Bike UK website that ALL their Bompton bikes ONLY come with 16 inch wheels. Source: FAQs | Brompton Bicycle
Thus, it seems (to me) that MAYBE the Npark staff is ALREADY aiming on that particular Brompton brand?

Then the weight. Why must it be between 11-13kg? If some one really wants to look for a light weight bike , wouldn't he just list the requirement as 'be Less than 13kg'? Instead of narrowing it down to just between "11-13kg"??? Does It mean that Nparks will reject using a foldable bike that is 10kg or lighter? (Again, a little web search can leads you to Quality/Branded foldable bikes that are lighter than 11kg) Does this sound logical to you now?
Or was the officer trying to narrow it down to a PARTICULAR model?
Hmmm....

Now lets look at point 5 "Have at least 6 speeds."
This time that guy is abit more clever, atleast now he didn't require the bikes to have a range of speed from eg. 4-8 speed. (Like that illogical weight requirement).
But then again, why am i not surprised that the Brompton M6L model has EXACTLY 6 speeds?
Hmmm HMMMmmm HMMMMMMM!....

And don't get me started on point 6. We all know by now that BikeHop is NOT the official dealer in Singapore for Brompton brand bikes.

--


I'm not making any accusation. I'm only asking questions. Very very important questions as the procurement are made using PUBLIC FUNDS.

For more explosive CSI, please read SIM37's thread at: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/e...ss-ended-up-dodgy-winning-bidder-3814897.html


--





The following is a question submitted by Cannonmaster:
"What if the procurement person genuinely felt that the particular brand/model is ideal?"

Well, He still has to answer atleast 4 questions:

1) Why did he set only 3 working days for the quotation period. (3.5 working days If u wish include the 1/2 day which is the posting date 25th January 2012 at 4.40PM onwards).
3 working days for 26 high end bicycles costing $2,200 each.
$57,200 is higher than alot of Singaporeans' 2 years income.
And you just open and shut the whole thing in 3 working days?
Are you kidding me? We are not dealing with 26 ping-pong balls here!

2) Why was the bid accepted when there is only 1 bidding company which their main core-business is not even selling bicycles and also NOT the official dealer of Brompton brand bikes?

3) Why accept the bid when NParks know that for just $50 more per bicycle, they would have gotten 5 years servicing/warranty from Authorized Brompton bike dealers?
You never know if authorized dealers knew about the tender back then, they might have bided with cheaper price + 5 years servicing/warranty.
Now please ask yourself, what does the phrase 'value for money' really mean?

4) Since the procurement person/department knows so well about foldable bikes, as evident from their spec requirements, why didn't they extent the quotation period so as to allow more possible bidders?
I checked MFA's latest 'Marked Policed bicycle' quotation notice. Even they allowed 1 month quotation period. So back to the 1st question for the procurement officer: Why and where were you rushing to?

Reminder: We are not talking about NParks' money, we are not even talking about the Ministry's money here. We are talking about public funds. Singapore tax payers' money.

 

[edmw_ultraman]

i believe edmw CSI team will bring light to this mysterious "Bikehop" shop.


How come there is only one tender? Normal tender process is get 3 quotes.

Wonder whose company is it belongs to.


Bring me back to the case of PAP Town Council Manager hiring his own Cleaning Company. Clearly a case of conflict of interest. Dirty dealing by PAPee

 

[edmw_ultraman]

since there is so many scandals and corruption cases

i hope this one breaks the camel's back

 

[twinkle07]

because of the requirements.

 

[SIM37_]

More info I found on my CSI attempt on this blog.

REFLECTIONS ON CHANGE: NParks's Brompton Bicycles — A Path Less Travelled

NParks's Brompton Bicycles — A Path Less Travelled


Singapore's National Parks Board recently bought 26 Brompton foldable bicycles costing $2,200 each for its officers to use on patrols.

NParks's tender notice set out the following specifications for the bicycles —
— Be foldable.
— Can be brought onto public buses and MRT trains.
— Have 16-inch wheels.
— Weigh between 13 kg and 15 kg.
— Have at least 6 speeds.
— Be provided with one year's warranty and free basic servicing.

Only one company — apparently not the agent or an authorised dealer for Brompton bicycles — submitted a bid, listing two models, with the Brompton bicycles being the cheaper alternative.

According to NParks, it proceeded with the purchase since the proposal met its specifications and it found the price to be reasonable after comparing with market prices at that time.

Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said he accepted NParks's explanation.

This episode raises many questions, nevertheless.

What amount was originally budgeted for each bicycle and for the bicycles in total? On what basis was the budget for the bicycles prepared?

What was the highest level in the Ministry of National Development that was aware of, and concurred with, the provision for the 26 bicycles in NParks's budget? It is unlikely that the Minister or the Permanent Secretary overseeing a budget of $2.5 billion for FY2012 would have the time to scrutinise an approximately $60,000 detail in the budget.

What was the highest level in NParks that was aware of, and concurred with, the provision for the 26 bicycles in its budget? It is unclear (though not improbable) whether the CEO of NParks overseeing a budget of $259 million for FY2012 would have the time to scrutinise an approximately $60,000 detail in the budget.

Were both the $2,200 price for each bicycle and $57,200 for the 26 bicycles within the approved budget? If not, was approval obtained for the higher amount or amounts? At that point, who in the Ministry of National Development and NParks became aware of this item?

How many brands of bicycles sold in Singapore were capable of meeting NParks's specifications? Is it necessary for NParks's bicycles to have precisely 16-inch wheels and at least 6 speeds?

Was NParks aware of other brands of bicycles that were capable of meeting its specifications?

What is the economic life of the Brompton bicycles based on NParks's intended intensity and type of use? The durability of an asset is not independent of the cost of acquiring the asset.

What is the expected cost of maintaining each of the Brompton bicycles based on NParks's intended intensity and type of use of the bicycles? Both the cost of acquiring an asset and the cost of maintaining it over its economic life have to be taken into account when deciding which asset to acquire.

On what defensible basis did NParks arrive at the conclusion that the $2,200 price of each Brompton bicycle was reasonable?

Why did NParks not call a fresh tender after receiving only one bid, and proactively invite other known suppliers of foldable bicycles? Was there an urgent requirement to procure the bicycles?

Was NParks aware that it was buying the bicycles from a supplier which is not an authorised dealer for Brompton bicycles and the consequences of its doing so?

Does NParks require only 26 bicycles for its officers to use on patrol or does it plan to buy more bicycles for its officers soon?

While $57,200 is a minuscule amount in the context of NParks's budgeted expenditure of $259 million for FY2012, does NParks apply the same mindset when managing its budget?

Perhaps, the Auditor-General should review NParks's procurement practices.

The new bicycles are said to enable NParks's staff to reach field sites directly and individually using public transport, and eliminates the need for an office van to take them and their bicycles to the various sites. How much extra time will now be needed by NParks's staff to travel from their offices to their field sites (and return to their offices) by public transport?

What is the fate of the office van? Will it become idle or redundant or will NParks somehow find some new use for it?

What is the fate of the driver of the office van? Will he/she become redundant and retrenched or will NParks somehow find some new duties to occupy him/her?

 

[Imprison]

Fwah awesome CSI skills.

Time to jiak popcorn and watch show riao. Hope this thread don't get locked and trashed

 

[HWZ1973]

Write so long, post here got use meh??
Put it in straits times lah, let the whole nation know the truth!!!

 

[PeacefulNemesis]

Ehhhh....i tot earlier on tv they said only 1 company tendered? Coz i remember they "tried" to apologize and say will not let it happen again...??

 

[DigDub]

because of the requirements.

jin smart.

 

[SIM37_]

Write so long, post here got use meh??
Put it in straits times lah, let the whole nation know the truth!!!

Posted todayonline already, Hardwarezone owned by SPH mah, so they'd know the post is here, whether they want to print it in their precious hard copy or not.. up to them

 

[PeacefulNemesis]

stomp it!! temasek review it!!! temasek times it!!!

 

[jeff79]

I do not think they are tour agency. More like providing bicycle rental to backpacker dormitory, and giving guided tour if the backpacker required. The website mentioned that new bicycles are available for sale.

 

[Crooni]

if you'd do a csi on bikehop, they're not even a bicycle seller/distributor.

Bikehop - Hop on our bike to explore Singapore!
BikeHop Singapore | Facebook
Official Blog: http://bikehop.wordpress.com/

there's no catalog, no equipment, no servicing service.

this is what they claim to provide



that's it. from their photos and activities, they ONLY have brompton folders (and is sort of a brompton club), which they rent to tourists and at the same time give tours. it's stated they do sell their used rental bromptons and new ones.

so how the hell did they get they get the invitation to bid for the contract, and why would nparks give/approve the tender to a company which doesn't even sell/service bicycles as it's core business and has only 1 product?

it's like i want to buy a tv/dvd player, and i go to a dvd rental store that only uses 1 samsung model and ask them to quote me their tv sets and players.

same thoughts

 

[Kcusts]

submit to places like TRE and TOC.

 

[TheoDR]

jin smart.

I remember Tay Junction was also closed for a week for this year's CNY. If other shops had also took week-long breaks, I'm guessing they wouldn't have seen the tender too?

 

[veryhungryboy]

stomp it!! temasek review it!!! temasek times it!!!

lol, best place to stir

 

[DigDub]

I remember Tay Junction was also closed for a week for this year's CNY. If other shops had also took week-long breaks, I'm guessing they wouldn't have seen the tender too?

dunno tay junction inside gebiz or notch. but basically, any sme can apply to be inside gebiz to bid for contracts they think they can fulfill.

http://app.mof.gov.sg/data/cmsresource/For Businesses/Govt Procurement Guide SME ver2 Apr2006.pdf

 

[PeacefulNemesis]

I found this...someone compared the prices some time ago...seems like they can get it under SGD2k leh...and since they are bulk ordering, shld be able to get even cheaper price than what is shown in the thread below...

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/m...kes-highest-end-hand-made-stuffs-2846820.html

the model M6L was $1850 in 2010. It shld be even cheaper now given that pounds had weakened since.

 

[TheoDR]

dunno tay junction inside gebiz or notch. but basically, any sme can apply to be inside gebiz to bid for contracts they think they can fulfill.

http://app.mof.gov.sg/data/cmsresource/For Businesses/Govt Procurement Guide SME ver2 Apr2006.pdf

Ooo, thanks for the info!