Taoyuan Airport denies illegal outsourcing for new passenger transport system

Taoyuan Airport is defending its procurement process for a new passenger transport system (PMS) after allegations surfaced that the winning bidder illegally outsourced work to a South Korean firm, potentially violating the Government Procurement Act.

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The complaints are not factual. The Airport Corporation considered all these questions when the contract was signed with the manufacturer.

The controversy centers on the PMS, which will connect the airport's second and third terminals once construction is complete. Critics claim that the contractor's decision to subcontract parts of the electric self-driving bus manufacturing to a Korean company breaches regulations prohibiting outsourcing.

However, Taoyuan Airport Corporation's acting chairman, Chen Yen-po, has refuted these accusations, stating they are unfounded. He explained that international technical cooperation was a planned component from the bidding stage, as outlined in the contractor's proposal. Chen emphasized that the vehicle chassis is not considered a primary component of the contract, thus not constituting illegal subcontracting under the procurement law.

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Information and communication technology absolutely cannot use Chinese products. These are already government regulations, including software, hardware, and services that must comply with regulations.

Chen also highlighted the airport's adherence to government directives, particularly the ban on Chinese products in information and communication technology, covering both hardware and software. Furthermore, all vehicles must pass safety inspections and receive certification from the Vehicle Safety Certification Center (VSCC), a standard requirement predating this specific project.

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All vehicles must pass the Vehicle Safety Certification Center according to existing standards. These are not set for the future PMS system of Taoyuan Airport, but are existing regulations.

The airport further clarified that the contractor's service proposal explicitly mentioned collaborating with international partners for contract execution, aligning with Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) requirements. This approach, they argue, ensures compliance and leverages global expertise for the new transport system.

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The winning bidder stated in the service proposal submitted during the bidding phase that it would combine international technical cooperation to jointly perform the contract, and the vehicle chassis is not a major item stipulated in the contract, so there is no illegal subcontracting as defined by the 'Government Procurement Act'.