MUSCAT -- A keenly-awaited tender seeking the appointment of a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the Oman National Rail Project was floated here yesterday, marking yet another key step in the implementation of this ambitious undertaking.
The Project Management Consultant will play a pivotal role in the overall execution of the massive venture and is expected to work alongside the Omani government and its representative institutions well after the rollout and successful launch of the network. Given the prominent and substantive brief that the PMC contract entails, many of the world's leading national railway authorities are expected to participate in this competitive tender.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is overseeing the conception and execution of the Oman National Rail Project, which in its initial phase envisions the construction of a 1,061-km network extending from Buraimi in the north to Salalah in the south. En route, the network will connect Khatmat Malaha, Sohar Port, Muscat City, Duqm Port and Salalah Port among other key urban, industrial and maritime landmarks.
Around a dozen international engineering firms are participating in a separate tender for the Preliminary Design Consultancy (PDC) package, bids for which were opened last month.
The selected PDC will be responsible for the provisional design of the complete infrastructure and systems covering all segments of the 1,061-km railway project, thereby securing the basis of a completed, fully functional, operating railway and inter-operable with the GCC network.
Also as part of its brief, the consultant will undertake the preliminary design of, among other things: the alignment, track works and infrastructure; civil works, tunnels and structures; systems, and; functional design/ specifications of rolling stock.
Before the end of this year, the Omani government also hopes to launch the process of prequalifying international firms for the key Design & Build (D&B) phase, which constitutes the most lucrative of all the rail project-related contracts. A D&B award for at least one of the segments of the Oman National Railway Project is expected to be announced before the end of 2014.
According to authorities, the Project Management Consultant (PMC) will provide, among other things, consultancy services for establishing an Oman Railway Organisation. Further, in addition to reviewing the design of the network, the PMC will also undertake a review of the activities of the Preliminary Design Consultant. Besides, the selected firm will review the contract process, extend contract management and construction supervision, and provide project management services.
Additionally, the PMC will oversee the procurement of rolling stock and procurement of the services of a rail transport operator in co-ordination with the government.
Also as part of its remit, the PMC will be responsible for testing and commissioning of the completed railway system of each segment planned for the National Railway project. Equally, the company will prepare a training programme for capacity building of Omani nationals.
Bids for the Project Management Consultancy package close on July 29, 2013.
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
