DSR suppliers could bear consequences after discovering misconduct, Kulhánek said

Ing. arch. Petr Klán

Prague – In the event that the audit by the Ministry for Regional Development (MMR) finds that the suppliers of the digitized construction management system (DSŘ) did not perform their work well, they may face consequences based on contractual conditions. So far, suppliers have been invoiced approximately 330 million crowns for the delivery of software and hardware associated with the digitization of construction management. In an interview with ČTK, Minister for Regional Development Petr Kulhánek (for STAN) stated this. The audit, which aims to assess the work on the systems from commissioning to their development, will also analyze the performance of individuals within the office. Kulhánek is not satisfied, for example, with the work of the director of the digitalization and information systems department, architect Petr Klán.

"The fulfillment of contractual relationships is what the forensic audit is supposed to assess. The outcome may be the accountability of specific entities for erroneous decisions or poorly executed work. I assume that these types of responsibility will be specified. Based on contractual agreements, there are presumably inclusions of insurance, and then it will be a matter of either agreement or dispute with the suppliers," said Kulhánek.

The systems launched in the summer reportedly show 25 discrepancies with the Building Act, according to government members. Errors also occurred during the tender process for their establishment, stated the Office for the Protection of Competition and subsequently the Regional Court in Brno. This was also one of the main reasons why the government decided to discontinue further development of the systems and create a new tender. However, according to Kulhánek, it is currently unclear whether the suppliers erred in their work. "At the moment when you do not have a complete and correct assignment addressing the entire issue, even a supplier who performs flawless work will not deliver a system that works well," he said.

The audit is expected to be completed by the end of this year or the end of January 2025. It should realistically depict the entire legislative and technical development. Based on this, it could subsequently become clear how the current state of the digitized systems arose and what share each party had in the development, regardless of whether they were external suppliers or people within the ministry.

Klán, for example, has played a significant role in the development of digitized systems. According to Kulhánek, he has been a weak link in the development and preparation of construction management since spring. "This is something I gleaned from all fronts when I entered here (at MMR). It is not personal against Petr Klán at all; I just think that this person has taken on or has taken far more than he could handle. He is considered the weakest link of the entire problem we are currently trying to tackle," said Kulhánek.

Klán currently still works at the ministry, but according to Kulhánek, it is likely that changes in the structure will lead to personnel changes in the leadership of the digitalization and information systems department. This department is expected to subsequently become part of the newly formed section focusing on information technology.