MUSCAT -- International consortiums bidding for Segment 1 of Oman Rail's multi-billion dollar national railway network project are required to include commitments to the training and skills development of Omanis in their bid submissions.
Training is a key component of the national rail company's strategy for generating significant In-Country Value (ICV) during the implementation phase of the Oman National Railway Project, a mammoth undertaking expected to cost in excess of $20 billion when it is finally operational. Omanisation, SME development, use of indigenous resources, and localisation of industries are other avenues outlined by Oman Rail for driving ICV from the project.
Eighteen pre-qualified consortiums and joint venture partnerships are preparing to bid for the Design & Build tender covering a 207 km length from Sohar Port to Buraimi on the Sultanate's border with the United Arab Emirates. Submissions for this package, representing Segment 1 of the national network, are due in by December 21, 2014.
As part of their bid proposals, bidders must spell out their plans for organising specific training courses designed to enable Oman Rail's Omani staff to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to operate and manage the network when it comes into operation.
The scope of this capacity-building encompasses not only rail construction aspects, but also the management, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, track works, systems, software, equipment, tools and machinery related to the project.
Furthermore, trainees deputed by Oman Rail will have to be familiarised with the operation of railway traffic management systems and the management of the Operations Control Centre, the nerve centre of the rail network.
Importantly, the selected contractor will be required to assign at least 10 per cent of its skilled workmanship (engineers and technicians) for the mentoring of Oman Rail employees. Selected staff from Oman Rail will be seconded to the contractor where they will work side by side with the contractor's staff and thereby gain on-the-job experience. This practical training, according to Oman Rail, shall include all onsite aspects of the project life cycle (engineering, design, installation, testing & commissioning and maintenance).
Significantly, all costs related to the training activities must be borne by the successful bidder. This includes costs towards the provision of classrooms, facilities, instructional materials, faculty salaries and so on. Overseas training, if any, will also have to be shouldered by the contractor at its cost.
The 2,135 km Oman National Railway Project will be implemented in nine separate segments covering the length of the Sultanate. Conceived as a double track network, the diesel-powered freight and passenger line is proposed to link populated areas, ports, industrial zones, mining clusters and other economic centres -- current and future -- of the Sultanate. (OEPPA Business Development Dept)
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
