Growth and Transformation Scheme (GTS)

Achieving success through alliances

Under the BuildSG movement, BCA launched the Growth and Transformation Scheme (GTS), to foster strategic alliances between Developers and their value chains (incl. Consultants, Builders, and Sub-contractors).

The GTS recognises the crucial role alliances can play in transforming the sector. Enhanced collaboration and coordination among alliance firms can reduce inefficiencies and costly rework. It fosters long-term partnerships, strengthen supply chains, and drive innovation in their projects.

Many developers have yet to fully tap into the advantages of a robust and integrated supply chain. GTS provides the platform to initiate meaningful value chain conversations with stakeholders. This will encourage a shift towards more cohesive, future-focused collaboration.

By encouraging firms to collaborate across multiple projects, GTS helps build technical, digital, and innovation capabilities throughout these value chains, enabling the firms to achieve sustained and mutually beneficial outcomes for themselves and their strategic partners.

Such collaboration enhances project outcomes and business resilience, while also accelerating the adoption of new technologies. It is ultimately making each alliance firm more competitive, sustainable, and future-ready.

GTS funding support for Built Environment developers and firms

Alliance firms can apply for funding support (up to 70%) for cost premiums tied to qualifying costs on a reimbursement basis.

Qualifying costs supported under the GTS include equipment, materials, software, testing and accreditation. As well as licensing royalties for technology acquisition, intellectual property rights, training/course fees, and consultancies.

Alliance workplan evaluation criteria

Developers and their partners will be required to submit an application form accompanied by a multi-year work plan (at least three years). This includes outlining how they and their strategic partners intend to strengthen business partnerships and build long-term capabilities across two or more large-scale projects in the following areas:

• Strategic Collaboration & Business Growth: Outline plans for collaborative contracting, risk allocation, progress reporting, and dispute resolution. As well as initiatives to strengthen business fundamentals beyond basic functions (e.g. consultancy for business strategy development and process re-engineering/ redesigning, etc.)

• Workforce Development: Propose workforce transformation initiatives to boost productivity and talent development. It is supported by Human Capital Diagnostic Tool^[1] results or equivalent HR assessments that explain how proposed initiatives address current gaps in HR practices.

• Productivity: Detail methods to achieve over 30% (non-residential) or 35% (residential) site productivity improvement over 2010 levels. It includes process redesign and automation solutions.

• Digitalisation: Present a comprehensive digital transformation plan across the entire value chain and development/building lifecycles. This can include implementing a Common Data Environment for all project partners. Also, integrating BIM models for collaboration, and forming digital teams that guide the implementation of digital initiatives.

• Sustainability: Target Green Mark 2021 Platinum Super Low Energy standards, aiming for at least 60% energy efficiency improvement over 2005 levels. As well as 20% manpower savings in Facilities Management through advanced technologies.

^[1] The Human Capital Diagnostic Tool ascertains the HR maturity levels of companies and identifies areas for improvement in 11 HR functions such as recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement. Visit this link for more information. Companies can also submit HR maturity assessments that are equivalent to the HCDT for BCA’s assessment (if available).

Eligibility criteria for the GTS

Applicants should meet the following criteria at the point of application:

1. Be a registered business entity in Singapore;

2. Have undertaken and/ or completed construction projects in Singapore in the past three years, including projects adopting DfMA, IDD, and/ or Green Buildings;

3. Developers and contractors should have a pipeline of projects within the 3–5-year transformation plan;

4. The alliance must involve other SME stakeholders (e.g. specialists, prefabricators) in their business plan and/ or projects;

5. An alliance must be led by a developer and involve its value chain partners, which include but are not limited to consultants, main contractor, sub-contractors, and prefabricators. It may also include related-party firms, e.g. an integrated construction and prefabrication hub (ICPH) operator that is a subsidiary of a main contractor in the alliance.

How to apply for the GTS

Interested applicants should also note the following:

1. The submission of an enquiry form does not automatically entitle the applicant to funding.

2. Applicant(s) may be required to submit additional supporting documents to facilitate the evaluation of their application. Applications will only be processed if relevant supporting documents are received.

3. The applicant(s) must not have signed or confirmed a contract with, or made payment to a supplier, vendor, or third party in relation to the purchase/lease/subscription of the products or services before the application.

4. BCA reserves the right to reject applications that do not meet the specified requirements or fail to demonstrate comprehensive, sustained improvements in business practices and best-in-class capabilities across the group of companies and projects.

For further queries, please refer to the GTS FAQ [PDF, 54 KB].