DEVB TC(W) No. 8/2025
DEVB TC(W) No. 8/2025 explained
DEVB TC(W) No. 8/2025, issued on 12 December 2025, requires the Digital Works Supervision System on capital works contracts with a pre-tender estimate above HK$30 million tendered on or after 1 April 2026. It supersedes TC(W) No. 2/2023 (paragraph 3). Kodifly delivers the DWSS complete on SpatialSense.
What the circular does
TC(W) No. 8/2025 sets the policy and requirements for adopting the DWSS in capital works contracts under the Capital Works Programme (paragraph 1). It takes immediate effect (paragraph 2). Annex A is the reference specification that employers and consultants use to write the contract specification (paragraph 11).
The DWSS has three core components. Workflow Management digitises the mandatory forms and records. Smart Construction Management is the data hub for smart site applications. Smart Document Management holds the formal project documents (paragraph 7).
Scope and dates at a glance
| Item | What the circular says | Paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold | Pre-tender estimate above HK$30 million | 1, 8 |
| Tender date | On or after 1 April 2026 | 1 |
| Earlier contracts | Implement the enhancements as far as practicable | 1 |
| Subventions | Capital subventions contracts under Head 708 are included | 8 |
| Other works | Maintenance and term contracts should adopt it as far as practicable | 8 |
| Exemption | Head of department, on exceptional grounds such as substantial impact on project delivery or little works content | 18 |
| Enquiries | Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) 1 | 19 |
What changed from TC(W) No. 2/2023
Paragraph 6 lists four key improvements. The rows below compare the two circulars.
| Topic | TC(W) No. 2/2023 | TC(W) No. 8/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Tender date | On or after 1 April 2023 | On or after 1 April 2026 |
| Document management | No such component | Smart Document Management replaces the EDMS (6(a), 11) |
| Contract Management | New module added | Adds NEC Health Check data (6(b)) |
| Smart site data | Smart Site Application Module | Smart Construction Management hub, joined with the SSSS platform where both apply (7, footnote 1) |
| Project team | No such requirement | A professional-rank team member oversees the DWSS (6(c), 14) |
| AI | No such requirement | Contractors adopt AI within the DWSS (6(d), Annex A 1.5) |
| Technical audit | Item will be added | Item has been added (16) |
| Transitional exemption | D2 officer could exempt smaller contracts tendered by 31 December 2024 | Not repeated |
Cost ceiling, EDMS and audit
Cost (paragraph 12): the estimated DWSS cost would normally not exceed HK$1.5 million or 1% of the pre-tender estimate, whichever is higher, with a cap of HK$10 million. Exceeding it needs approval from an officer at D2 rank or above. The cost does not form part of the contract computer facilities estimate. The same figures were in TC(W) No. 2/2023, which said the cost shall not exceed them.
EDMS (paragraph 11): contractors no longer need to procure a separate Electronic Document Management System. The Smart Document Management component fulfils the requirement.
Audit and handover (paragraphs 15 and 16): the DWSS is handed over to the employer at completion. A standard item on its proper adoption and use is part of the technical audit of capital works contracts.
How Kodifly delivers the circular
One project, built to Annex A, with the software, devices and installation from Kodifly.
Built to Annex A
Six mandatory modules
Smart Document Management
NEC Health Check data
AI assistant for site records
API to iCWP
Handover copy and audit trail
TC(W) No. 8/2025, answered
When did TC(W) No. 8/2025 take effect?
It was issued on 12 December 2025 and takes immediate effect (paragraph 2). The adoption requirement applies to contracts tendered on or after 1 April 2026.
Which contracts must adopt the DWSS?
Capital works contracts, including capital subventions contracts under Head 708, with a pre-tender estimate above HK$30 million (paragraph 8). Earlier contracts implement the enhancements as far as practicable.
Does it apply to maintenance and term contracts?
Bureaux and departments should adopt the DWSS as far as practicable in other works contracts, such as maintenance and term contracts (paragraph 8). It is not a firm requirement there.
What replaced the EDMS?
The Smart Document Management component of the DWSS is a unified replacement for the EDMS (paragraph 6(a)). Contractors no longer procure a separate system (paragraph 11).
What does the project team requirement mean?
The employer's representative appoints a project team member, at least in professional rank, to oversee the DWSS (paragraph 14). Annex A 3.2 adds a resident site staff member.
Can a department exempt a contract?
Yes. On exceptional grounds, the Head of the department may exempt a contract, for example for substantial impact on project delivery or projects of little works content (paragraph 18).
Related guides
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