Singapore Institute of Architects flags 'unfair clauses' in SUSS tender for new Rochor campus

Clauses listed by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in tender documents for its new campus in Rochor are unfair, said the Singapore Institute of Architects.

- Ng Keng Gene Correspondent

These clauses include “unlimited design changes post-award with no additional fees and unlimited liability”, said the institute’s president Tiah Nan Chyuan in a LinkedIn post on Sept 25.

“Unfair clauses undermine the sustainability of architecture practice, the built environment industry, and ultimately the quality of outcomes that benefit clients and the wider public,” said Mr Tiah.

On Sept 9, SUSS published a tender seeking multidisciplinary consultancy services for its forthcoming Rochor campus, as well as the Singapore College of Islamic Studies, which will be located next to the university.

The services sought included architecture, civil and structural engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, and quantity surveying.

Without giving details, Mr Tiah said that the institute wrote to SUSS on Sept 18 to state its position on compensation for two design concept proposals and to seek clarification.

Some queries, he said, were addressed on Sept 23 at a tender briefing. The next day, full tender documents were released.

“However, after the full (tender) documents were released, additional unfair clauses were identified,” he noted.