ESD tender result announced

November 8 1999

The Government announced today (Monday) that the contract for the supply of the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) system had been awarded to Timbo Star Investment Limited.

Timbo Star Investment Limited is a joint venture of Hutchison Communications Limited and Compaq Computer Limited.

Commenting on the award of the contract, a spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau said the tender result "is encouraging as the selected bidder is formed by two companies with strong technical and marketing expertise and financial background."

Six bidders, including Timbo Star, participated in the tender exercise held earlier this year.

"Timbo Star was selected after a detailed and thorough evaluation process based on a marking scheme with 70 per cent weight on technical assessment and 30 per cent weight on fee assessment. The contract was awarded after approval was given by the Central Tender Board.

"We are confident that the ESD project would be implemented successfully and on schedule," the spokesman said, adding that the first phase of the ESD scheme will be launched in October 2000.

Under the contract, Timbo Star will use the system to provide ESD services for Government for five years, and at the option of the Government, the term can be extended for two more years.

The spokesman said the Government would be investing some $123 million to establish its own systems to tie in with the implementation of the ESD project. Funding approval was obtained from the Finance Committee in December 1998.

The first phase of the ESD scheme will cover a wide range of services of 10 Government departments and public agencies, including submission of simple tax return, booking appointment for identity card registration, application for and renewal of driving and vehicle licences, voter registration, purchase of tax reserve certificates, payment of Government bills, job vacancy database search, information look-up for tourists, etc.

Timbo Star has proposed to provide ESD services initially via the Internet through personal computers at home or in the office; public computers installed by the Government in District Offices, community halls/centres and public libraries; Internet appliances, and 100 public information kiosks to be installed by Timbo Star at convenient public locations.

"Through ESD, members of the public will be able to obtain efficient and quality services securely and in a seamless manner through a single common interface at places and time convenient to them, and at no additional cost. In short, the scheme will transform the way public services are delivered," the spokesman said.

"More importantly, we anticipate that the open and common information infrastructure which we are going to develop for ESD will serve as a platform which the private sector can make use of in conducting electronic commerce. This will help to pump-prime the development of electronic commerce in Hong Kong," he added.

The ESD contract signing ceremony will be held on November 12, 1999.

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