Gov’t to introduce enhancements to Standard Consultancy Agreement

The changes will maintain fair and timely pay for consultants in public-sector projects, amongst others.

The government will introduce changes to the Standard Consultancy Agreement (SCA), the common contract used in public sector construction-related consultancy tenders. 

In a speech at the BCA-REDAS Built Environment and Property Prospects Seminar, Minister for National Development Desmon Lee said the agency has developed a “suite of enhancements” to the SCA to “drive healthier practices between our public sector developers and their consultants.”

Lee said the enhancements will bring three outcomes: a clearer definition of what the scope of services are, a fair and timely remuneration, and a more balanced allocation of risk.

Elaborating on the first outcome, Lee said, “Agencies will be expected to specify the details of the base set of services required and highlight non-standard services.”

To maintain fair and timely remuneration, Lee said the government  “will make clear that consultants can request fee adjustments for additional services required by agencies during a project. BCA will also update the rates used to compute the fee adjustments.”

On creating a more balanced allocation of risk, Lee said the government will “grant consultants cost-sharing for significant construction delays, where the delays are due to issues beyond consultants’ control.”