CCS Issues Proposed Infringement Decision Against Electrical and Building Works Companies

(View Media Release in PDF)

1. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has on 11 March issued a Proposed Infringement Decision (PID) against 14 electrical and building works companies*. The companies were found to have infringed section 34 of the Competition Act**, which prohibits bid rigging or collusive tendering.

2. CCS’ investigation revealed that the 14 companies colluded to bid for projects. Typically, one of the parties (“requester”) would request the support of at least one other party (“supporter”). The requester would inform the supporter his bid price so that the latter could submit a higher quote. In some instances, the requester even prepared the quotation for the supporter. The supporters generally had no intention to submit competitive bids for the project. Their involvement served only to increase the requester’s chances of winning the bid.

3. CCS has uncovered bid-rigging practices by these parties for numerous projects in the electrical and building works market. CCS takes a serious view of such anti-competitive conduct, especially given the number of projects and companies involved.

4. The PID is a written notice setting out the facts on which CCS makes its assessment and its reasons for arriving at the proposed decision. It is issued to give the Parties involved an opportunity to put forth their arguments to CCS and submit information that they wish CCS to consider.

5. In this regard, the 14 companies have six weeks from the receipt of the PID to make representations or argue the case set out by CCS. A press release will be issued after the final decision has been made by CCS.

*Please refer to attached Appendix for the list of the 14 Parties involved.

** Section 34 of the Competition Act prohibits agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within Singapore.

Appendix

List of Parties Involved:

1. Aldale Electrical Services Pte Ltd

2. Alpha & Omega Engineering Services

3. Arisco Engineering & Maintenance Services Pte Ltd

4. AVL Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd

5. DAE Services

6. E-SP Integrated Services Pte Ltd

7. Etora United Engineering (S) Pte Ltd

8. Huang Soon Electrical Engineering Works

9. Integrated One Construction Pte Ltd

10. MME Services

11. Ronnie Lim Electrical and Plumbing Contractor

12. System Technic Engineering Pte Ltd

13. Toplist Mechanical and Electrical Services

14. Triple H Technology Pte Ltd