Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent actions taken by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to clean up the bidding expert pool, highlighting the removal of 38,000 illegal experts to enhance the integrity and transparency of the bidding process [1][4][9]. Group 1: Expert Cleanup Actions - The NDRC has organized a nationwide cleanup of bidding experts, resulting in the removal of 38,000 illegal experts since the beginning of 2024, with all identified illegal experts in local expert pools being "cleared" [1][4]. - The initiative aims to purify the expert pool and eliminate "bad apples," thereby improving the fairness and quality of the bidding process [4][9]. Group 2: Issues in the Bidding Process - Experts have noted that the bidding expert field is prone to corruption due to limited expert pools in regions, leading to familiarity among experts and potential collusion [2][3]. - Common issues include experts providing "special treatment" to certain bidders, colluding in bidding processes, and leaking evaluation secrets, which undermine the integrity of the bidding system [9][11]. Group 3: Positive Outcomes of the Cleanup - The cleanup has led to a more transparent and efficient bidding environment, with a reported 11.9% year-on-year increase in the number of private enterprises winning bids in the engineering construction sector [5]. - The NDRC's actions have also resulted in the revision and abolition of over 500 policy documents that violated fair competition principles, breaking down local protectionist barriers [5]. Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Experts suggest that to effectively address the issues in the bidding process, there needs to be a focus on the planning phase of bidding documents, ensuring clear and quantifiable evaluation criteria [14][15]. - The implementation of digital and intelligent solutions, such as AI for smart evaluations and remote assessments, is recommended to enhance efficiency and transparency in the bidding process [16].