Hunan Hospital Project Awarded to 8th-Place Bidder; Authorities Launch Investigation

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 6) A bidding project for a hospital affiliated with Central South University in Hunan Province, China, has recently come under scrutiny after it was revealed that the winning bidder was a state-owned enterprise that initially ranked 8th in the first candidate announcement. Despite protests and complaints from multiple bidding companies, the project was not re-tendered. Following media reports that sparked public outcry, Hunan authorities announced today that a joint investigation team has been established to conduct a thorough probe.

According to a report by The Paper on the 5th, the National Emergency Medical Rescue Base Construction Project of Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University, with an estimated total investment of RMB 827 million (approximately NT$3.8 billion), began bidding in May 2025. The bidding process was managed by Zhongji Construction Consulting Co., Ltd.

On October 30, 2025, the tendering party issued the first announcement of bid candidates, listing six companies. A consortium formed by Hunan Fourth Engineering Co., Ltd. and a private company ranked only 8th at the time and was not selected. However, the bid was subsequently canceled for unknown reasons.

On December 11, 2025, the tendering party issued a second announcement of bid candidates, which included only three companies. This surprised many participating bidders, as all six candidates from the first round had been replaced. Hunan Fourth Engineering had now risen to the 2nd candidate position.

The report, citing multiple sources, stated that the second announcement sparked dissatisfaction among several bidding companies, who filed a formal complaint with the competent authorities.

On January 14, 2026, the Changsha Public Resources Trading Center announced that due to complaints received regarding the project, bidding activities were suspended. It stated that bidding would resume after the complaints were resolved, and the bid validity period would be extended by 90 days to April 27, 2026.

However, the complaining companies did not see a re-tender.

On March 17, 2026, the Changsha Public Resources Trading Center issued another announcement for the project, but it was a contract announcement. The winning bidder was listed as "Hunan Fourth Engineering Co., Ltd.," with the contract signed on March 17, 2026.

Hunan Fourth Engineering, which ranked 8th in the initial bidding, ultimately won the contract. This state-owned enterprise, headquartered in Changsha, has also been reported to have multiple deficiencies, classified as "serious," in its work on a hospital building project in Suining County.

In response, The Paper requested interviews with Xiangya Second Hospital, the Changsha Bidding Center, the Changsha Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, and the bidding agency Zhongji Construction Consulting Co., Ltd., but received no clear replies.

After the report sparked public concern, the Hunan Provincial Development and Reform Commission announced today that the Hunan Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government have placed great importance on the matter. A joint investigation team has been established, led by the Hunan Provincial Development and Reform Commission and including the Hunan Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Hunan Provincial Public Resources Trading Center, and relevant departments of Changsha City. The team will conduct a comprehensive and in-depth investigation, and the results will be announced to the public in a timely manner. (Editor: Yang Shengru / Chen Chenggong) 1150606