31 firms seek to pre-qualify for National Railway project management contract

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MUSCAT -- Thirty-one international and local firms have registered their intent to bid for a contract to provide project management consultancy services linked to the development of a National Railway system in the Sultanate.

Yesterday was the deadline for the submission of offers to prequalify for the prestigious tender. The successful bidder stands to win a seven-year contract as Project Manager of the multi-billion dollar scheme, with the likelihood of a more substantive role in the future development of the project.

Underscoring the robust international interest in the project, several leading firms are in the fray for the project management contract. The line-up includes BechtelBechtel, Worley Parsons Oman, Vissing, Parsons, Mott MacDonald, Systra, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Arup Gulf, EGIS Rail, Korea Rail, PW&P, Sering International, Poyry Infra, and China No 4 Metallurgical, among others. They are among more than 100 firms that collected prequalification documents when the competitive process began on April 13.

Significantly, the majority of the bidding parties are also vying for a contract to provide design and supervision consultancy services for the railway network.

A May 31 deadline for companies to register their interest in the contract attracted a total of 33 prequalification offers.

The Project Manager's main brief is to oversee the day-to-day management of the railway project under the direct supervision of the Supreme Committee for Town Planning (SCTP), the government body tasked with implementing the ambitious scheme.

The selected bidder will be responsible for supervising the different project phases and systemic issues related to the planning and engineering of the railway system, and well as the design, construction and commissioning of the network.

The Oman National Railway Network will be developed in four distinct packages. The first package covers a 280km length from Muscat to the Port of Sohar.

A 150km branch line extending from Sohar to Al Ain will be laid in yet another package. In the third phase, the Muscat-Sohar line is proposed to be extended to Khatmat Malaha on Oman's border with the UAE. Finally, in the fourth phase, the network will be extended 520km from Muscat to the Port of Duqm via Bid Bid, Sinaw and Mahawt.

A key part of the Project Manager's brief is to conceive and develop a suitable structure for a Railway Organisation for the Sultanate of Oman.

In addition, the consultant will draw up a strategy for the operation and maintenance of the rail system, either by developing an organisation to undertake this responsibility or through the award of a concession or contract.

Besides, the procurement and commissioning of all rolling stock and machinery for the rail project will be overseen by the project manager.

In choosing a suitable project manager, authorities will weigh a bidder's experience in, among other things, the design of the complete panoply of railway infrastructure related to both freight and high-speed electric passenger trains.

Due consideration will also be accorded to the bidding party's experience in managing rail projects, as well as large-scale schemes in the Middle East.

Oman's National Railway network will comprise a double track, standard-gauge (1,435mm) system with provision made for the introduction of high-speed trains, with speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour (kph), in the future.

Initially, however, passenger trains will be operated at speeds of 200 kph, while freight trains will run at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kph. The trains will run on electrical power, supplied through overhead electrical infrastructure that will be built along the length of the network.

A contract for project management consultancy services is expected to be awarded by the first quarter of next year.

By Conrad Prabhu

© Oman Daily Observer 2010