Home | Search Project | Favourites | Profile | News | Logout Print Preview Project Name Oman National Railway Project Description Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a National Railway network spanning 2,135 kilometres designed for highspeed trains with speeds of up to 350 kilometres an hour for passenger travel and 200 kilometres an hour for freight trains. Budget ($) 15000000000 Posting Date April 25, 2010 Period 2018 Tender Type Project Territory Oman Client Company Name: Ministry of Transport & Communications (Oman) Address: Pin: 684 City: Muscat Country: Oman Phone: (+968) 2468 5000 Fax: (+968) 2468 5757 Email: Website: http://www.motc.gov.om Consultants Design Consultant Company Name: Italferr S.p.A (Italy) Address: Via V.G. Galati City: Rome 7100155 Pin: Country: Italy Phone: (+396) 49751 Fax: EMail: [email protected]Website: http://www.italferr.it Engineering Consultant Company Name: Canarail Consultants Inc. (Canada) Address: 1140 boul. de Maisonneuve, West, Suite 1050 City: Montreal, Quebec H3A 1M8 Pin: Country: Canada Phone: (+1514) 985 0930 Fax: (+1514) 985 0929 EMail: [email protected]Website: http://www.canarail.com Project Manager Company Name: Tecnicas Reunidas (Oman) Address: Safeway Bldg., 2nd Floor, Dohat Al Adab Street City: Al Khuwair Pin: Country: Oman Phone: (+968) 2460 4420 Fax: (+968) 2460 4421 EMail: [email protected]Website: http://www.tecnicasreunidas.es Specialist Consultant Company Name: Systra (France) Address: 5, avenue du Coq City: Paris 75009
DescriptionEngineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a National Railwaynetwork spanning 2,135 kilometres designed for highspeed trains with speeds of up to350 kilometres an hour for passenger travel and 200 kilometres an hour for freight trains.
Budget ($) 15000000000Posting Date April 25, 2010 Period 2018Tender Type ProjectTerritory Oman
Client
Company Name: Ministry of Transport & Communications (Oman)Address: Pin: 684City: MuscatCountry: OmanPhone: (+968) 2468 5000Fax: (+968) 2468 5757Email: Website: http://www.motc.gov.om
Consultants Design Consultant
Company Name: Italferr S.p.A (Italy)Address: Via V.G. GalatiCity: Rome 7100155Pin: Country: ItalyPhone: (+396) 49751Fax: EMail: [email protected]: http://www.italferr.it
Engineering Consultant
Company Name: Canarail Consultants Inc. (Canada)Address: 1140 boul. de Maisonneuve, West, Suite 1050City: Montreal, Quebec H3A 1M8Pin: Country: CanadaPhone: (+1514) 985 0930Fax: (+1514) 985 0929EMail: [email protected]: http://www.canarail.com
Project Manager
Company Name: Tecnicas Reunidas (Oman)Address: Safeway Bldg., 2nd Floor, Dohat Al Adab StreetCity: Al KhuwairPin: Country: OmanPhone: (+968) 2460 4420Fax: (+968) 2460 4421EMail: [email protected]: http://www.tecnicasreunidas.es
Specialist Consultant
Company Name: Systra (France)Address: 5, avenue du CoqCity: Paris 75009
Company Name: National Engineering Office (Oman)Address: Bahla House, Bldg. No. 402, Way No. 4721, Hellat AsSaadCity: Ruwi PC 112Pin: 1657Country: OmanPhone: (+968) 2483 5660Fax: (+968) 2483 5727EMail: [email protected]: http://www.neoman.net
Specialist Consultant3
Company Name: Grant Thornton (USA)Address: 175 W, Jackson Blvd., 20th FloorCity: ChicagO, IL 606042687Pin: Country: United States of AmericaPhone: (+1312) 856 0200Fax: EMail: Website: http://www.grantthornton.com
Contractors Status New TenderLast Updated May 13, 2015 TenderCategories Public Transportation Projects
Remarks Updated On : May 13, 2015 Oman Rail has floated tenders for prequalification of EPC contracting services on thisscheme. The first tender calls for prequalification of EPC contractor for Conventional CivilInfrastructure Works and Railway Track. The purpose is to assign the scope ofearthworks, stations, depots, yards, facilities and utilities (PQ01215). All previouslyqualified bidders are automatically qualified for this tender provided they maintain thesame JV structure. Interested contractors should have experience in final design andconstruction of a single railway infrastructure project in the last 5 years with a total projectconstruction value of more than $1 billion, experience in final detailed design of railwaycivil infrastructure for at least one major Railway Project in the last five years covering atleast 200 kilometers of double track (design speed of at least 160 km/h). The fee forpurchasing prequalification documents is OMR 3,000/ (US$7,692). The deadline tocollect prequalification documents is May 27, 2015. The deadline for submissions is July01, 2015. The second tender is for Complex Civil Infrastructure Works (PQ01615). Thescope covers earthworks, tunnels, bridges, structure track works and stations in additionto depots, yards, facilities and utilities. Interested contractors should have experience infinal design and construction of a single railway infrastructure project in the last 5 yearswith a total project construction value of more than $2 billion; experience in final detaileddesign of railway civil infrastructure for at least one major Railway Project in the last 5years covering at least 200 kilometers of double track (design speed of at least 160km/h); experience in the detailed design and construction of tunnels in the last 5 years (atleast 1 railway tunnel or road tunnel of 5 kilometers long); experience in designing andconstructing a high structure, e.g. Bridge with vertical distance (Pillar height) of over 60meters. The fee to purchase prequalification documents is OMR 3,000/ (US$7,692). Thelast date to purchase documents is May 27, 2015 and submission of applications by July01, 2015.
Updated On : May 5, 2015 It is understood that this project will be the essential lifeline that connects the Sultanate'sthree deepsea ports at Sohar, Duqm and Salalah with the GCC rail network, enablingthe efficient haulage of freight from these gateways deep into the Arabian hinterland. Therail network is being designed and built to support heavy haulage of containers, mineral
commodities, oilfield equipment and other freight. The national network will be equippedto haul containers in doublestack formation for better efficiency. With GCC railinteroperability, container volumes discharged at Sohar Port can be hauled by rail viaUAE and Saudi Arabia to Riyadh and Dammam. Oman's rail network will be designed forheavy freight of up to 32.4 tons per axle load, which is almost 40% heavier than theEuropean model. Furthermore, this rail network will be looking to support the haulage ofoilfield equipment, such as pipes, generators, valves and so on, from the ports into theoilfield areas of Oman. Longer term, this capability is proposed to be augmented toprovide passenger transportation for oilfield workers who presently depend on roadtransport with the attendant traffic safety concerns by rail as well.
Updated On : May 3, 2015 Client held meetings to discuss pricing with the five bidding groups that have passed thetechnical evaluation stage for the contract to build the first phase of this development.
Updated On : April 29, 2015 Five groups bidding for the contract to build the first phase of this scheme have passedthe technical evaluation stage. The five groups are understood to be: India's Larsen & Toubro / Spain's FCC Construction / local Khalid Bin Ahmed & Sons; Italy's Salini Impregilo; China State Construction Engineering Corporation / South Korea's SK Engineering &Construction; Austria's Porr Bau / Turkey's Yuksel Insaat / local Sarooj Construction Company /South Korea's Daewoo; Italy's Saipem, Rizzani de Eccher / Turkey's Dogus Insaat.The client will meet these five bidders on April 30, 2015 to discuss pricing.
Updated On : April 16, 2015 Client has begun evaluating the potential volumes of freight that will be transported byrail over the longterm. Canada's Canarail is carrying out the preliminary engineeringstudies for Al Batinah railway, including detailed freight and passenger traffic.
Updated On : April 13, 2015 International engineering consultancy firms are preparing to bid for a key contract toprovide Construction Supervision Services during the implementation of the first segmentof this scheme (C01015). The selected consultant will primarily be tasked withoverseeing all of the EPC works included in Segment 1. The deadline to collect tenderdocuments is April 20, 2015 and bids are due to be submitted by May 18, 2015.Importantly, the consultant will be part of an Integrated Management Team (IMT) beingconstituted by the client to oversee the smooth execution of all key components ofSegment 1. In addition to frontline executives from the client itself, the IMT will includerepresentatives from the Project Management Consultants (headed by Spanishbasedinternational engineering and infrastructure contractor Tecnicas Reunidas). Italiantransport engineering specialist Italferr will also play a supportive role in its capacity asthe Preliminary Design Consultant for the entire project. According to officials, with theappointment of a Construction Supervision Consultant, the client will have at its disposalthe services of a panoply of specialists whose collective task is to smooth the way for theexpeditious implementation of Segment 1 within budget and within a reasonable timeframe. The appointment of a Construction Supervision Consultant has becomeimperative because the Project Management Consultancy contract was scaled down toexclude Construction Supervision activities from its scope.
Updated On : March 4, 2015 As many as 11 consortiums of leading construction and engineering companies are inrace for the design and build contract of the project's first segment. Client has receivedtechnical bids from 11 joint ventures (JVs), with Italian and Chinese companiesdominating the list of contenders. Among the participants that have submitted technicalbids are consortiums led by four Italian firms, namely: JV of Saipem, Rizzani De Eccherand Dogus Insaat; JV of Astaldi, Oman National Engineering & Investments Company,Yapi Merkezi and CorsanCorviam Construction; JV of Societa Italiana Per CondotteD'Acqua, Federici Stirling Batco, SWS Engineering and Itinera SpA; and SaliniImpregilo. Consortiums led by Chinese firms are: JV of China State ConstructionEngineering Corporation and SK E&C; JV of China Railway Group Ltd. and MapaInsaat ve Ticaret; and JV of China Railway Construction Corporation Ltd.,International Contractors Company and Mohammed Al Kharafi & Sons. Othercontenders are: JV of India's Larsen & Toubro Ltd., FCC Construction SA and KhalidBin Ahmed & Sons; JV of Indian firm Ircon International Ltd., with Hani Archirodon andTata Projects; JV of Austrian firms Porr Bau GmbH, with Yuksel Insaat, Sarooj
Construction Company and Daewoo E&C; and JV of Korean firm Hyundai Engineering& Construction, with Hassan Juma Backer, Assignia Infrastructures and MaireTecnimont Civil Construction. Primary designs for the first segment have beencompleted.
Updated On : March 1, 2015 Commercial offers for the Sohar Buraimi segment of this project were due on February28, 2015, with an array of international consortiums expected to submit voluminouspricing proposals for the multibillion Design and Build package. Bidding is open to onlythose groups that had submitted corresponding technical bids earlier this year for the207kilometer Sohar Buraimi stretch. With the receipt of commercial offers, the client cannow commence with the laborious task of finding a suitable Main Contractor to executethe first key segment connecting Sohar Port with the GCC rail network. First to beevaluated will be the technical bids based on which a shortlist of the most attractiveoffers will be prepared. In the next stage, corresponding commercial offers of those on thetechnical shortlist will then be opened for evaluation. At the end of evaluation exercise, ahandful of bidders with the best technical and pricing offers will then be invited for finalnegotiations leading to the announcement of a contract award, tentatively during the thirdquarter of 2015. The successful bidder stands to win a contract that is widely billed as thelargest and most complex infrastructure development in the Sultanate to date.Corresponding technology systems for Segment 1 will be designed and installed by theMain Contractor's technology partner as a subcontract of the Design & Build package.Included in the Railway Technology Systems package are the Electrical, Signaling,Telecommunication, Safety, Operation and Control, Mechanical and ElectromechanicalSystems. Construction work on Segment 1 is expected to commence by the end of 2015or early 2016.
Updated On : February 12, 2015 Client has awarded a $149 million project management consultancy (PMC) contract to aconsortium led by Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas. The consortium will work alongsideOman Railway Company as part of an integrated project management team for Sector Aof the project. The management deal is for SoharBuraimi line. Work involves a completereview of the preliminary design work of the rail network and overseeing contractprocesses, as well as construction supervision for the duration of work on Sector A. Partof its brief is to oversee the procurement of rolling stock and procurement of the servicesof a rail transport operator in coordination with the government. Also as part of its remit,the PMC will be responsible for testing and commissioning of the completed railwaysystem of each segment planned for this scheme. Client is also tendering the railway'ssystems and technology. Prequalified firms for this contract include Italy's Ansaldo;Canada's Bombardier; Germany's Siemens; France's Thales and Alstom.
Updated On : February 10, 2015 A contract for operations and maintenance of the rail network is set to be awarded withinthe first half of this year. Client has also announced that the first phase of the line'sconstruction (from Al Buraimi to Sohar) and for building of a new Railway Center ofExcellence to train staff will both begin this year.
Updated On : January 25, 2015 It is understood that the design part of all segments of this project will be completed thisyear by Italian engineering firm Italferr. The process of evaluation of technical bids iscurrently underway for the first stage and details have not been revealed. A function washeld recently to launch the new brand identity for Oman Rail. The design of the identitycomes in the shape of a train to give a real feel of a natural scenery inside the Omanisavanna and beautiful scenery giving a feeling that the train crosses mountainous areasto take the passengers to their different destinations. The design also gives a feeling ofconnectivity, vision and confidence reflecting the Sultanate's culture through its differenttraditional arts. Design of the logo mirrors the vision of Oman Railway towards the world;as an ambassador to the foreign world for Omani traditions, history, social, economic,tourism and commercial integration in a quick, safe and efficient manner.
Updated On : January 18, 2015 Technical bids are due to be submitted today. Consortiums and JVs prequalified for themain design and build packages for Segment 1 are as follows:• Joint Venture of FCC Construction SA (leader, Larsen & Toubro ltd. and Khalid BinAhmed & Sons• Joint Venture of Strabag AG (Leader), CCC Oman, Samsung E&C, Salini ImpregiloSpA• Joint Venture of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Limited
(leader) SK E&C• Joint Venture of International Contractor Company LLC (Leader), China RailwayConstruction Corporation (CRCC) Ltd. and Mohammed Al Kharafi & Sons• Joint Venture of Habtoor Leighton MiddleEast (Leader), Al Hassan Engineering,POSCO E&C and Khimji Ramadas • Joint Venture of Societa Italiana Per Condotte D’Acqua SpA (Leader), FedericiStirling BATCO LLC, SWS Engineering SpA and Itinera SpA• Joint Venture of Vinci Construction Grand Project (Leader), AKTOR Technical SA andVinci Construction Terrassement• Joint Venture of POR BAU GmbH (leader), Yuksel Insat, Sarooj ConstructionCompany LLC and Daewoo E&C LLC• Joint Venture of Saipem SpA (leader), Rizzani De Eccher SpA and Dogus Insaat• Joint Venture of Ircon International Limited (leader), Hani Archirodon LLC and TataProjects• Joint Venture of China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group Co. Ltd (leader), China RailwayEryuan Engineering Group Co. Ltd.• Joint Venture of ASTALDI SpA (leader), ONEIC, Yapi Merkezi and CorsanCorviamConstruccion SA• Joint Venture of Sinohydro Corporation Ltd. (leader) and Arabtec Construction LLC• Joint Venture of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd (leader), Hasan JumaBacker, Assignia Infraestructuras and Maire Tecnimont Civil Construction• Joint Venture of Acciona Infraestructuras (leader), Ozkar and Teixeira DuarteEngineer & Constructed• Joint Venture of China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) (leader), MapaGunal Oman LLV• Joint Venture of Ferrovial Agroman SA (leader) and Galfar Engineering & ContractingSAOG.
Awaiting the successful bidder is a substantial package of works encompassing virtuallyall aspects of rail design, engineering, supply, construction, installation andcommissioning. It also requires the contractors to undertake, among other things,topographic and geotechnical site surveys. Consortiums and JVs prequalified for theRail System package are;o Ansaldo STS SpAo Joint venture of Bombardier Transportation Italy SPA (leader) and Sirti SpAo Joint venture of Siemens AG (leader) and Siemens LLC Omano Consortium of Thales Deutscland Transportation System GmbH (leader), ThalesOmano Consortium of Alstom Transporte SA (leader) and Alstom Belgium SA.
Updated On : January 13, 2015 With a contract for Segment 1 now slated for award by around mid2015, the focus isbeing shifted to Segment 2, which covers a length of 240 kilometers that begins fromHafeet, near Buraimi, and travels south to an ambitious Economic Zone planned in AlDhahirah Governorate in the northwest of the Sultanate. Beyond Dhahirah, the alignmenttraverses the vast desert expanses of central Oman through Ghabah and onward toHaima. Between Ghabah and Haima however, a branch veers southwest towards Duqm.Segment 2 will be undertaken in two stages (sectors). Sector A covers a 114 kilometerstretch from Hafeet (where Segment 1 ends) to Ibri, the administrative center of AlDhahirah Governorate. Sector B spans a 126 kilometer length from Ibri to a futuregreenfield Economic Zone in the far south of the governorate. Depending upon fundingfor this project, other segments could be taken in hand for implementation in rapidsuccession.
Updated On : January 12, 2015 Oman Rail has identified a wide array of products and services for local procurementduring the execution and operational phases of this scheme. A farreaching InCountryValue (ICV) creation strategy drawn up by the wholly stateowned rail company envisionsopportunities for localization both in the procurement of goods and services, as well asOmanisation and training across numerous facets of the project. In order to maximisethe impact of procurement plan, Oman Rail has asked bidders to differentiate betweenthree categories of ICV creation initiatives depending on the availability of differentproducts and services from Omani subcontractors. Category 1 initiatives cover productsand services that can be produced from Omani subcontractors provided they meet thequality specs prescribed by Oman Rail. Included in this category are work packagesrelating to: Engineering consulting, Design consulting, Project management,Construction earthworks, Tunnel design, Tunnel construction, Bridge design, Bridgeconstruction, Passenger terminal design, Passenger terminal construction, Freightterminal design, Freight terminal construction, Storage yard/depot/marshaling yarddesign, Storage yard/depot/marshaling yard construction, Surveying and topography,
Geotechnical analysis, Environmental impact analysis, Auditing services, Administrativeservices, Concrete supply, Furniture supply, Corporate clothing supply, Stationery supply,Surveillance technology and systems, Alarm systems, Sound systems (incl. PA systems),Office IT, Insurance provision, Logistics services, Cleaning services, Security, Brokerage,IT services, Financial services, Marketing and communications, Waste management,Plumbing and Travel services.Listed in Category 2 are ICV creation opportunities linked to the development of potentialOmani subcontractors in areas such as the supply of steel rails, sleepers, ballast, trackinstallation, training and HR services. Bidders are required to detail proposals on how thecapabilities of registered Omani subcontractors can be suitably upgraded (for example,through an investment in production assets or through the establishment of a partnershipor joint venture between a foreign company and the Omani subcontractor).Finally, identified in Category 3 are opportunities for alternative ICV creation centering onproducts and services that cannot be supplied by Omani subcontractors, but will need tobe supplied by nonOmani subcontractors. Here, bidders are required to submitproposals for alternative initiatives for ICV creation either directly or indirectly related tothe following products or services: Switches and turnouts, Fastenings supply, Signalingand telecom systems supply, Ticket vending machine supply, Passenger informationsystems and Legal advisory. Significantly, a bidder's ability to create sizeableopportunities for ICV generation notably through localization of industries,manufacturing activities, employment generation and training of Omanis is anadvantage in the contest for the keenly anticipated Design & Build package coveringSegment 1 of this network, which will be awarded in mid2015. Tenders for someadditional segments are also expected to be floated this year.
Updated On : January 7, 2015 Client has issued a tender for legal consultancy services on this project. The deadline forbids is January 20, 2015. Scope of work involves preparing the laws, rules andregulations, and other institutional requirements for the railway. Oman has not yetconfirmed whether it will operate the rail services itself or bring in international operators.
Updated On : December 18, 2014 Client has further extended the deadline to March 01, 2015 for submission of commercialbids for Segment 1 of this scheme. Technical bids must be handed in by January 18,2015. This extension follows a request by large number of bidders seeking more time toprice their offers amid the ongoing economic turmoil in world markets unleashed bysliding international oil prices.
Updated On : December 4, 2014 An agreement for a joint venture company, SPYD, has been signed between SaroojConstruction Company, PORR of Austria, Yuksel of Turkey, Daewoo Engineering &Construction. It is understood that these companies complement each other in everyaspect making the joint venture a strong contender for securing the project contract.
Updated On : November 30, 2014 Client has granted a month's extension to bidders competing for the multibilliondollarcontract to execute Segment 1 of this network, which entails construction of a 207kilometer stretch from Sohar to Buraimi. The deadline for submission of bids is deferred toJanuary 18, 2015 from the previous deadline of December 21, 2014. In granting thisextension, the client cited requests from a number of tenderers seeking more time toprepare their bids. At the same time, the client also affirmed the criticality of the tendertimeline to the overall success of this scheme. All 18 consortiums and joint venturesprequalified by Oman Rail to compete for Segment 1 package are understood to be busyat work preparing their offers. The winning consortium will be required to implement apriority stretch extending from the industrial port of Sohar to Buraimi, on the Sultanate'sborder with UAE, on a Design & Build basis. Awaiting the successful bidder is a weightypackage of works encompassing virtually all aspects of rail design, engineering, supply,construction, installation and commissioning. It requires the contractor to undertake,among other things, topographic and geotechnical site surveys; earthworks design;hydrology and drainage; design and construction of major and minor structures such asbridges, tunnels and viaducts; track works; stations; freight facilities and yards; and theprovision of line maintenance facilities. Given the mountainous terrain through which thealignment passes, crisscrossed by valleys and wadis, scores of viaducts (bridgestructures composed of several small spans for crossing a valley or gorge) will beconstructed en route. More than 70 viaducts totaling a staggering length of around 27.5kilometers will be built across wadis and low ground all along the route. The singlelargest viaduct is a staggering 2.4 kilometers long, spanning a major wadi intersectingthe alignment on this segment. Also adding to the multibilliondollar construction costsassociated with Segment 1 will be tunnels that will have to be bored through mountains
traversing the alignment. As many as 10 tunnels of a total length of 4.7 kilometers will bebuilt at key points along the route. They include a pair of tunnels each of around 1.57kilometers, a monumental length by Oman standards.
Updated On : November 9, 2014 A mix of commuter and intercity passenger stations are envisaged at key locations alongthe first segment of this project, currently under tender. In all, five passenger terminalshave been identified by the client. Passenger stations are planned at Sohar City, AlWasit, Zurub, Hafeet and Buraimi. Of these five locations, Al Wasit and Zurub will hostCommuter Stations, while the other three will feature either small or medium GCCIntercity stations. Passenger stations planned all along the national rail network havebeen classified into the following two broad categories: 1) Main, Medium and SmallStations (based on their dimensions); and 2) Intercity and Commuter (depending on thetype of service they provide). Stations defined as Intercity GCC/Main Stations are thosethat cater to different kinds of national and international passenger traffic attractingvolumes in excess of 300 peak hour passengers (PHP) counts. Intercity/Main Stations, onthe other hand, are terminals that are similar to Intercity GCC/Main Stations, minus theinternational passenger component. Intercity GCC/Medium Stations are terminals thatattract a mix of national and international passenger flows averaging more than 100 PHPand less than 300 PHP. Likewise, Intercity/Medium Stations are similar to IntercityGCC/Medium Stations, albeit without the international service.
Updated On : October 28, 2014 It is understood that a consortium of PORR BAU GmbH, Yuksel Construction, SaroojConstruction Company and Daewoo E&C is one among the groups bidding forSegment 1 of this scheme.
Updated On : October 19, 2014 A contract for construction of the 207kilometer stretch from Sohar to Buraimi isanticipated to be awarded by mid2015. Construction is expected to commence in thethird quarter of that year. Trains will start running on this stretch by 2018. A total of (18)consortiums and joint ventures have prequalified to participate in the design and buildpackage. Bids are due to be submitted by December 21, 2014. SoharBuraimi stretch willbe implemented in three sections: Sector 1A, covering a distance of 127 kilometers, connects Sohar station to OmanUAEborder at Al Buraimi and Khatmat Milahah. It crosses the mountain range between Soharand Buraimi, following the path of Wadi Al Jizzi, where the existing motorway runs. Sector 1B is a 34kilometer spur line that departs from Sector 1A and ends at Buraimistation. It runs initially through the mountains and ends up in the Buraimi plan. Sector 1C is a 38kilometer spur line connecting the Sohar Port to Sector 1A.Also to be constructed along the route are a number of railway facilities, includingstations, freight yards, wayside maintenance bases, and maintenance depots. A further 8kilometers of track will be built to connect junctions at Sector 1A to 1B and 1C.
Updated On : October 15, 2014 As part of the government's commitment to integrate Oman Rail with the GCC railwaynetwork, the first phase of this dieseloperated scheme from Sohar to Buraimi will becompleted by 2018. Client has floated an EPC tender for the first part with 18 bidders inthe fray and a contract will be awarded in 2015.
Updated On : September 24, 2014 A number of major economic, industrial and logistics hubs planned for development inDhahirah, Sharqiyah and Wusta governorates of the Sultanate will be connected to thisrailway network. Rail connectivity with these proposed industrial parks will help attractinfrastructural, industrial and commercial investment in and around these hubs, therebypositioning them as new growth poles for Oman's longterm economic development.Alignments already approved by the client, will see the network skirting an areaearmarked for the development of a mega economic hub in Dhahirah Governorate. Theproject, dubbed Dhahirah Economic Zone, is proposed to be linked by rail whenSegments 2 and 3 of the national network are taken in hand for implementation.Connectivity between the Dhahirah Economic Zone and the national network will beprovided by a 126kilometer line that runs south from Ibri to the site of the hub. Thisstretch will be undertaken during Segment 2 of the rail project. A further 116 kilometerstretch will link the Dhahirah Economic Hub with the rail line at Ghaba, with constructionenvisioned during Segment 3 of the rail project. Similarly, a new industrial park plannedby the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) at Al Mudhaibi in SharqiyahNorth Governorate is also expected to be linked to the rail network. Connectivity with thenetwork is planned during Phase 3 of the rail project when linkages between Duqm,
Updated On : September 16, 2014 International consortiums bidding for Segment 1 of this project are required to includecommitments to the training and skills development of Omanis in their bid submissions.As part of their bid proposals, bidders must spell out their plans for organizing specifictraining courses designed to enable Omani staff to gain the knowledge and skillsnecessary to operate and manage the network when it comes to operation. The scope ofthis capacitybuilding encompasses not only rail construction aspects, but also themanagement, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, track works, systems,software, equipment, tools and machinery related to the project. Furthermore, traineesdeputed by Oman Rail will have to be familiarized with the operation of railway trafficmanagement systems and management of the Operations Control Center, nerve centerof the rail network. Significantly, all costs related to the training activities must be borne bythe successful bidder. This includes costs towards the provision of classrooms, facilities,instructional materials, faculty salaries and so on. Overseas training, if any, will also haveto be borne by the contractor at its cost.
Updated On : September 8, 2014 Oman Railway Company (ORC) has floated a prequalification global tender for the 207kilometerlong stretch from Sohar to Buraimi. The tender includes two lists forprequalification, infrastructure and IT systems. The list of qualified companies would bevalid for four years. The construction tender will be for first part (Al BuraimiSohar). Theother parts, which connect Salalah and Duqm ports with GCC ports would be limited onlyto companies that qualified for the tender. A total of 18 consortiums and joint venturesprequalified to participate in the design and build package. The last date for submissionof bids is December 21, 2014. This stretch would help connect Sohar Port with the GCCrail network at Buraimi near the UAE border. A number of railway facilities, includingstations, freight yards, wayside maintenance bases, and maintenance depots would haveto be constructed.
Updated On : September 3, 2014 It is understood that contractors bidding for the multibilliondollar Segment 1 package ofthis project risk disqualification if they do not commit to a procurement of at least 10% oftheir bid value from local Omani subcontractors. Further, it is to be noted that mereachievement of the 10% minimum does not guarantee that the bidder will achieve theminimum threshold stipulated in the evaluation criteria for the InCountry Value (ICV)plan. As such, Oman Rail expects the Tenderer to not only meet the 10% minimumthreshold, but to clearly exceed it.
Updated On : July 8, 2014 Client has announced new procurement opportunities for all vendors to contribute to thedevelopment of strategic national railway. The registration is open to all Omanicompanies and business, especially small and medium enterprises, which areparticularly encouraged to register. The registration is open to all vendors that canprovide products and services for any part of the rail value chain, from construction tooperation and maintenance. It is currently targeting vendors in the following industries:engineering services, contracting, building materials, railways track materials, railwayequipment and professional services. Registration should be completed through thecompany’s online portal www.omanrail.om/vendors and involves submission of basiccompany information.
Updated On : June 26, 2014 Bidders shortlisted for the key contract to provide PMC services on this scheme havebeen instructed to extend their bid bonds by a further two months. An earlier set of bidbonds submitted by the bidding groups had expired earlier this week, prompting theTender Board to direct all three consortiums to extend their validity by a further twomonths.
Updated On : June 22, 2014 The PMC contract is yet to be awarded. It is understood that all the three shortlisted firmsare in equal contention to win.
Updated On : May 15, 2014 A tender for the rail network linking Sohar Al Buraimi will be issued in July 2014.Designs for this link will also be completed in July 2014. The network will also connect
with northern Al Batinah governorate and involve both passenger and cargo services.
Updated On : April 30, 2014 It is understood that the consortium led by Korea Rail Network Authority (KRNA), whichis among the strongest contenders for the prestigious PMC package on this project, haspledged to support the transfer of rail technology, as well as the development of a localproduction base in Oman. The KRNA consortium has submitted a bid of $87 million($274 million inclusive of construction supervision) for the key PMC package. Othermembers of this consortium include Korea's Dohwa Engineering, First China Railway,India's Balaji Railroad Systems and local National Engineering Office (NEO). While theKorean and other foreign members in the consortium conduct technology transfer andtechnical training programs, NEO will help them get acquainted with uptodate railwaytechnologies through effective human resource management. The frontrunners for thiscontract also include Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas with a bid of $154 million ($423 millionwith construction supervision), and Parsons International with a bid of $203 million($480 million with construction supervision). The keenly anticipated contract has beenpledged to the group that tallies the highest combined score for financial merit (30 pointsmax) and technical merit (70 points).
Updated On : April 10, 2014 A prequalification process launched by the client with the aim of identifying competentbidders for its main construction package has elicited interest from a record 102 civil andengineering construction firms from around the world, including a number of internationalmajors. Separately, 47 local and international firms collected documents pertaining to theprequalification of bidders for the Railway Systems package. Construction majors fromTurkey, China, Italy, France, Spain, Korea and India are among dozens of internationalcompanies that have signaled interest in bidding for the key Civil Infrastructure andRailway Track Design and Build Contracting Services Package (Main Contractor) of thisscheme. The list includes contracting giants such as Ozkar, AFCONS, L&T ECC, STFA,Hyundai Engineering & Construction, TOTO, Strabag, Hanjin Heavy Industries,Saipem, J&P, China Railway, CCC, Astaldi, TAV Tepe Akfen, Samsung, Acciona,Tecnimont, Ircon International, Hochtief Construction, POSCO and Eiffage RailContracting interest from locally and regionally based firms has been equally robust.Potential contenders from the Sultanate include Galfar, Zubair Corporation, HaniArchirodon, Services & Trade, Federici Stirling BATCO, Teejan, Carillion Alawi,Bahwan Contracting, Al Hassan Engineering, Towell Infrastructure, Drake & ScullOman, Gulf Petrochemical Services, Oman Brunei Investment and SimplexInfrastructures.
Updated On : March 24, 2014 Client is studying options for operation of the train network, whether to go it alone orpartner with an international rail operator. A decision is expected to be taken before theend of this year. Also under consideration is the option of entrusting responsibility foroperation of the rail network to a reputed operator under a longterm concessionagreement. All three alternatives are currently under review, with a decision expected tobe finalized during the second half of this year.
Updated On : March 23, 2014 Client has extended the closing date for the prequalification of design and build ofrailway infrastructure (OR/T14/PQ/01) and design and build of railway technologysystems (OR/T14/PQ/02) till March 27, 2014.
Updated On : March 12, 2014 International firms seeking to prequalify for Oman Rail's systems tender package musthave proven experience in the supply, installation and commissioning of endtoendtechnology systems necessary to support the smooth, safe and efficient operation of thislarge rail network. Minimum qualification criteria stipulated by Oman Rail require biddersto have undertaken in the last five years a contract for the installation and commissioningof railway signalling, telecommunication and other electromechanical systems of a valueof at least $100 million. Additionally, bidders should have successfully commissioned inthe last 5 years a Level2 version of the European Rail Traffic Management System(ERTMS), which is widely deployed by modern rail networks around the world. Besides,they should have successfully designed technological systems for at least one majorrailway project in the last five years involving a minimum 200 kilometres of double trackwith a design speed equal to or more than 160 kilometres per hour. The Railway SystemsContractor will serve as a subcontractor of the Main Contractor, who will be responsibleoverall for the integration, testing and commissioning of the network. The selectedRailway Systems Contractor will be required to provide networkwide technological
systems that meets the performance and functional requirements of the national network.In choosing the requisite systems for the network, emphasis will be on hardware ofproven technology with high reliability and lowcost maintenance. Also as part of its brief,the Railway Systems Contractor will have to deliver a fully integrated and operationalproject, which shall also be maintained for a period of 2 years. Endtoend signallingsystems are a key component of the Railway Technology Systems tender package. Theselected bidder will be required to provide an ETCS (ERTMS) Level 2 signalling systemfor traffic control along with associated systems for train detection, switch control, brokenrail detection, level crossings, and hot box detection. Also envisioned as part of thetender package is an equally substantial telecom systems component that includes aCore Communications Network (CCN), Fibre Optic Transmission Systems (FOTS), SDHFibre Backbone, Mobile Radio Connections, LAN, WAN and WiFi, Public AddressSystem, Passenger information System and Passenger Information Display. Other keycomponents of the Railway Technology Systems package include an Operation ControlCentre, Centralized Traffic Control System, Network Supervision System, Passenger farecollection, ticket vending and validation equipment, and an array of security hardware. Acontract award for the D&B package is slated during the fourth quarter of this year.
Updated On : March 3, 2014 It is understood that the consortium headed by Dohwa Engineering, a South Koreanmultidisciplinary engineering consulting firm, is a strong contender for the muchdelayedPMC contract on this scheme. Envelopes containing the financial offers submitted byvarious international groups competing for the key PMC package were opened at theTender Board. Dohwa Engineeringled consortium submitted the lowest bid of $87million ($274 million inclusive of construction supervision). The next lowest bid has beensubmitted by a consortium headed by Spanishbased international general contractorTecnicas Reunidas, with a bid of $154 million ($423 million with constructionsupervision). The group led by US' Parsons International is the third lowest bidder with aquote of $203 million ($477 million with construction supervision). The financial offers oftwo other consortiums led by Hill International and Parsons Brinckerhoff have notbeen disclosed, effectively understood that they have been eliminated from thecompetition. Dohwa Engineering has teamed up with local National Engineering Office,Korea Rail Network Authority, First China Railway and India's Balaji RailroadSystems. The successful Project Management Consultant will provide, among othersthings, consultancy services for establishing Oman Railway Company. Further, inaddition to reviewing the design of the network, the PMC will also undertake a review ofthe activities of the Preliminary Design Consultant. Besides, the selected firm will reviewthe contract process, extend contract management and construction supervision, as wellas provide project management services. Additionally, the PMC will oversee theprocurement of rolling stock and procurement of the services of a rail transport operator incoordination with the government. The company will also prepare a training program forcapacity building of Omani nationals.
Updated On : February 24, 2014 It is understood that the client has prescribed strict prequalification criteria, which meansthat only international contractors with proven and solid experience in the design andconstruction of railway infrastructure can bid for the key Design and Build (D&B) packageon this scheme. Omani contractors are expected to form joint venture partnerships orforge alliances with the prequalified bidders when tendering for the main D&B package,covering Segment 1 of the network, opens in the third quarter of this year. In a cleardemonstration of its intent to develop highquality and robust rail infrastructure, the clienthas set stringent minimum qualification criteria that seek to attract only the world's finestrail contractors to participate in the bidding process. Contractors seeking to prequalify forthe D&B package must have experience in the final design and construction of a singlerailway infrastructure project in the last five years with a total project construction value ofmore than $1 billion. Also, they should have undertaken the detailed design andconstruction of at least one railway tunnel or road tunnel of at least 500 metres in the lastfive years. Crucially, prospective bidders should also have experience in the finaldetailed design of railway civil infrastructure for at least one major railway project in thelast five years covering at least 200 kilometres of double track (with design speed of atleast 160 kilometres per hour).
Updated On : February 17, 2014 Oman Railway Company (ORC) has invited local and international companies to prequalify for work on this project. The tender includes two lists for prequalification:Infrastructure and IT systems. The list of prequalified companies will be valid for fouryears. The construction tender will be for the first section of the scheme, which will beabout 170 kilometres long and connect Sohar Port to the UAE border at Buraimi. Theother parts, which connect Salalah and Duqm ports with the GCC ports, will be limited tothe firms that prequalified for this tender only. According to ORC, upon completing the
prequalification stage, which will coincide with the completion of design of the BuraimiSohar segment in August 2014, it will float the execution tender to companies that havebeen prequalified for infrastructure, subject to whether they use the services of the firmsthat prequalified for the IT systems as subcontractors.
Updated On : February 10, 2014 The designers behind this project have revealed that they are in a very intensive phase ofthe process. Italferr is due to complete the work by January 2016. Some (29) firmssubmitted bids to project manage the line in August 2013, including Aecom, Parsons,China CREC and Hill International. Client is expected to announce a decision soon andappoint contractors later this year, with a view to starting work on site by the fourth quarterof 2014.
Updated On : February 9, 2014 Prequalification of contractors for the designandbuild (DB) package is due to be floatedthis month. In addition to the prequalification process for a main contractor to undertakethe DB civil works package, the client will also float a tender for the prequalification ofbidders for the systems package. However, the selected systems contractor will serve asa subcontractor to the DB contractor that will undertake the main civil works package.Contractors prequalified to bid for the main DB civil works package will be eligible toparticipate in DB tenders for successive segments for a period of four years before theclient announces a new prequalification round. The civil construction contract isexpected to be awarded by end of this year, with work anticipated to commence duringthe first quarter of 2015.
Updated On : January 13, 2014 According to the client, prequalification of contractors will commence soon for the maincontract, with an award for the first part of construction from Al Buraimi to Sohar expectedby the end of this year.
Updated On : November 21, 2013 It is understood that the design of Buraimi Sohar rail segment is expected to becompleted by May 2014, with other segments also slated for implementation in parallel.The first segment, comprising a total length of 171 kilometres, is made up of threesections: a 136kilometre stretch from Sohar Port to UAE border at Al Sunaynah/Al Ain; a27kilometre spur to Al Buraimi, and an 8kilometre spur to the Sohar Railway Yard. Inparallel with this segment, development will also be pursued on the Al Buraimi Sinawstretch, as well as rest of the 2,244kilometre national network that runs via Duqm all theway down to Salalah and Yemen border. The 330kilometre Al Buraimi Sinaw stretch,which runs behind the North Oman mountains, is a recent addition to the national railnetwork. Additional railway lines and spurs could ramp up the total length of the railnetwork to an estimated 3,000 kilometres in the initial phases of this project.
Updated On : October 30, 2013 It is understood that the first section of this scheme will involve building 170 kilometres oftrack. Client will invite companies to bid for EPC packages before the end of secondquarter of 2014, with awards scheduled by the end of 2014. The first section involvesconnecting Sohar Port to UAE border at Buraimi and Al Ain, where it will link up withUAE's Etihad Rail network in Abu Dhabi emirate. The RFP will be for a lump sum turnkeycontract. US' Grant Thornton has been appointed to plan the organizational structure ofthe new Oman Railway Company, which will start operations before the end of this year.
Updated On : August 27, 2013 A total of five companies have submitted technical bids for the project managementconsultancy (PMC) contract. They include; US’ Parsons Brinckerhoff, Hill International,Parsons International; Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas and South Korea’s DohwaEnginnering. The prequalification process for various design and build packages isexpected to start later this year.
Updated On : August 19, 2013 Italy’s Italferr has been awarded $37 million deal to provide design consultancy serviceson this scheme. Work will be undertaken under a 25month deal.
Updated On : August 12, 2013 Client has extended the deadline until August 26, 2013 to submit bids for the project
management consultancy (PMC) contract on this scheme.
Updated On : July 22, 2013 It is understood that Oman's Tender Board has awarded a contract worth $35 million to aconsultancy firm for initial design of this project. Name of the firm has not been disclosed,but the three firms, which were shortlisted were DB International, National EngineeringOffice and Italferr. The latter had submitted the lowest bid of just over $32 million,compared with a $43 million bid from DB International. Client has also issued a tender forthe project management consultancy (PMC) contract on this scheme. It is understood thatthe Tender Board will open bids from prospective bidders on July 29, 2013. Once thedecision on a project management consultant has been made, which is expected thisyear, the prequalification process for the designandbuild contract on the first phase willget underway.
Updated On : July 16, 2013 It is understood that this project will be formally known as Oman Rail according toauthorities overseeing the implementation of this ambitious scheme. Oman Rail will beadministered by Oman Rail Company, which is currently under formation. Oman Rail willbe pivotal player in a newly delineated framework set up within the Ministry of Transport& Communications to ensure the efficient implementation of the project, as well as theappropriate management of the railway sector. Under the framework, the Ministry willplay the role of policymaker, while all issues related to licensing, auditing, organisationand legislation will be in the hands of the Directorate General for Land Transport &Railway. Ahead of the formal establishment of Oman Rail, the Ministry has launched theprocess of selecting a qualified consultant to undertake the Organisation Design Studyfor the parent company. A number of international companies are participating in a localtender floated by the Ministry in this regard. The selected consultant will assist theMinistry in identifying a framework within which Oman Rail will operate, as well asdetermine its relationship with the Ministry of Transport & Communications, theDirectorate General for Land Transport and Railway, and other related governmentagencies. In addition, the Consultant will be required to conduct a qualitative comparisonwith global best practices and make recommendations to align Oman Rail with globalbest practice. Besides, the consultant will be required to develop strategic enablers thatwill sustain performance, growth and development of Oman Rail.
Updated On : July 2, 2013 It is understood that 12 companies had submitted bids for a contract covering thepreliminary design contract on this project. A shortlist of three companies has beendrawn up. Italian consultant Italferr has submitted the lowest bid of $32 million, followedby Germany's DB International with a bid of $43 million and local National EngineeringOffice at $59 million. It is expected that the prequalification process for various designand build packages is expected to commence later this year.
Updated On : June 19, 2013 Client has issued tender for the project management consultancy contract (PMC) on thisscheme. Bids can be submitted until July 29, 2013. A decision regarding the preliminarydesign contract is expected be made in coming months. Companies in the verge to beget selected for the preliminary design contract includes: Sener, Consultrans, Italferr,Dohwan Engineering, SNC Lavalin, Auding Intraesa and Tecnicas Reunidas.
Updated On : May 9, 2013 Consultants have submitted bids for the preliminary design contract for the scheme.Bidders include: UK’s Mott MacDonald; Spain’s Sener; Italy’s Bonifica; Germany’s DBInternational; US’ Parsons International; local Yas Consulting Engineers; Lebanon’sDar al Handasa; Jordan’s Consolidated Consultants Engineering & Environment;Germany’s Hoehler & Partner; Spain’s Ineco; Consultrans; ; Italy’s Italferr & KEO; localAlManara Engineering Consultancy; Egypt’s Ehaf Consulting Engineers; Lebanon’sKhatib & Alami & Partners Consulting Architects & Engineers; France’s ADPI; SouthKorea’s Saman Corporation, Dohwan Engineering; UAE’s 3TI Architecture &Engineering Consultants; Modern Engineering Consultancy; Canada’s SNC LavalinInternational; Spain’s Auding Intraesa, Tecnicas Reunidas, Idom; India’s AarveeAssociates; local National Engineering Office; France’s Egis Rail and Systra, localAsie Etudes Engineering Consultants; Turkey’s Botek ACE and Morocco’s CID.
Updated On : April 23, 2013 Client has further extended the deadline to submit bids for preliminary design workscontract until May 06, 2013. It is understood that around (34) local and international firms
Updated On : April 18, 2013 It is understood that preliminary design contract is expected to be awarded in June/July2013. PMC contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2013. Once PMC consultantis appointed prequalification process for the EPC contract will commence.
Updated On : March 26, 2013 Client has extended the deadline to submit bids for the preliminary design works contractuntil April 22, 2013.
Updated On : March 5, 2013 Intermodal freight yards allowing for the seamless movement of goods between thecountry's road, rail and maritime transportation systems are envisioned at severallocations along the length of this railway network. According to provisional plans drawnup by the client, intermodal yards are proposed to be established at nine key junctionsduring the first phase of implementation. Major intermodal yards are planned at Sohar,Barka, Al Misfah, Sunaynah and Duqm, while modestsized yards are proposed at AlBuraimi, Al Suwaiq and Sinaw. Khatmat Malaha on Oman's border with UAE is alsoproposed to host a mediumsized intermodal yard primarily to cater for freight customsprocedures, cargo holdups, and other formalities. Yards planned at Sohar and Duqm willbe designed keeping in sight freight volumes and types of cargoes handled by theindustrial ports in operation at the respective locations. Preliminary design package iscurrently out to tender for the intermodal yards. As many as (20) firms, mainlyinternational, are preparing to bid for this prestigious contract. The deadline forsubmission of bids is March 25, 2013.
Updated On : February 12, 2013 A tender for the preliminary design of the railway network has been floated. Client hasinvited qualified consultants to bid. It is understood that the tender process is not limitedto the five consortiums that were prequalified to bid for the now shelved designengineering package floated by authorities prior to a comprehensive review of the railproject undertaken by the client. In effect, design consultancy firms that did not take partin the original tender process can participate this time. Similarly, a tender for the ProjectManagement Consultancy (PMC) package, due to be floated within the next 2 to 3months, is expected to be open to fresh bids.
Updated On : January 14, 2013 It is understood that the tenders for PMC contract, which includes site supervision isexpected to be launched in April/May 2013. Request for proposals for the preliminarydesign work is expected to be issued by the end of January 2013.
Updated On : January 6, 2013 Client has set up a National Railway Company to oversee the implementation of thisproject that will now include the southern region. The newly formed governmentownedcompany will undertake supervision, planning, tendering, design and construction of therailway. It will also be responsible for signing contracts with railway operators besidesinvesting in transport of passengers and goods, and all railwayrelated activities, and toachieve the best rail transport services of international standard.
Updated On : December 19, 2012 It is understood that (12) companies have been shortlisted for the project managementconsultancy (PMC) contract on this scheme. Tenders are expected to be released by theend of the first quarter of 2013.
Updated On : September 16, 2012 It is understood that a 136kilometre length of railway line connecting Sohar with UAEborder via Al Ain will be given first priority during implementation phase. A 27kilometrespur line to Buraimi will also be the part of this priority package. The 58kilometre Sohar Khatmat Malaha line, which connects with the UAE rail network on the Fujairah side willbe undertaken during the overall phase 1. Also envisaged for implementation in thisphase, which covers a total distance of 1,061kilometre, which include 242kilometreSohar Muscat line, 486kilometre Muscat Duqm line, 84kilometre Sinaw Ibra link,8kilometre spur from Sohar to Sohar Railway Yard and 20kilometre link from MuscatCentral Station to AlMisfah (near Rusayl). Under Phase 2, rail network will be extended
from Duqm to Salalah, with a link between Thamrait and Al Mazyounah, on the borderwith Yemen in Phase 3.
Updated On : September 11, 2012 It is understood that client is planning to float shortly a fresh tender for the appointment ofa consultant to undertake the preliminary design of the 1,061kilometrerail network. Twoother tenders one for Detailed Design and Build and other one for Project ManagementConsultancy and Supervision Services will also follow this. Design package will be retendered in accordance with the directives of the Tender Board.
Updated On : September 6, 2012 The nine international companies planning to bid for a contract to design and consult onconstruction of this railway include a consortium comprising Denmark's COWI, DBI andUS' AECOM; France's Systra; USbased Parsons; UK's Mott MacDonald; a consortiumcomprising Italy's Italferr and Australia's WorleyParsons; a China Railway company;France's Egis Rail; the Pointec Group; and a consortium of Korea Rail and HyundaiGroup.
Updated On : September 4, 2012 Nine international companies or groups are planning to bid by the deadline of October05, 2012 for a contract that could be worth as much as $155 million to design and consulton construction of this railway. Names of companies have not been disclosed.
Updated On : August 1, 2012 It is understood that the Tender Board has once again requested consortiums to extendtheir bid bond validity until October 05, 2012.
Updated On : May 29, 2012 A specialist team set up by the client to drive forward plans for the development of thisscheme has completed the evaluation of bids for the key Design and Supervisionpackage. Discussions are currently underway between the client and the Tender Boardon the next step of awarding the contract. A muchdelayed tender for the PMC package isstill under review.
Updated On : May 6, 2012 International companies competing for a keenly awaited, but muchdelayed contract forthe Design and Supervision of this project have been asked to extend their bid bonds toJuly 05, 2012. An award is likely in the coming months. Five consortiums are bidding forthe fouryear contract. Last month, the Tender Board had faxed letters to the bidders'representatives in the Sultanate directing them to extend their bid bonds by 90 days, inthe latest of a series of extensions that have characterised this long overdue contractaward. All five bidders are understood to have since complied. The successful bidder willbe required to prepare the preliminary design for all elements of the railway project. Uponapproval of the preliminary designs, the consultant will then proceed with the detaileddesign of the alignment and infrastructure; bridges, culverts and tunnels; railway stationsand yards; rail track; and overhead electrical infrastructure, among other elements.Additionally, the consultant will develop specifications for rolling stock and other systems.It is understood that the delay in announcement of an award for the Design andSupervision package is an inevitable outcome of the project's transfer last year from theSupreme Committee for Town Planning to the Ministry of Transport &Communications. As the move did not include any of the staff who had handled the railproject from its inception, the Ministry was compelled to build a dedicated Rail Team fromscratch, thus resulting in an unavoidable lapse of time.
Updated On : February 19, 2012 It is understood that the Tender Board is still in process of evaluating bids for the designand supervision contract. A timeframe for the award has not been disclosed.
Updated On : December 13, 2011 Five groups have submitted bids for the design contract. It is understood that aconsortium of Omanbased Cowi & Partners, with USbased Aecom and Germany's DBIis the lowest bidder at $116 million, followed by UK's Mott MacDonald & Company witha bid of $166 million and the local office of France's Systra with a bid of $195 million.Spain's Prointec Group and a South Korean joint venture of Korea Rail and HyundaiEngineering have submitted bids of $203 million and $226 million respectively.
Evaluation of bids is currently underway. The contract also covers supervision ofconstruction.
Updated On : November 13, 2011 It is understood that the client has extended the deadline to submit bids for the designcontract to December 05, 2011. The contract also covers supervision of construction.
Updated On : October 11, 2011 A muchawaited tender for the selection of a PMC on this scheme is due to be floated inthe coming weeks. According to the client, this keenly anticipated tender is expected tobe floated before the end of this month. The successful bidder stands to win a sevenyearcontract as Project Manager of the massive venture, with the likelihood of a moresubstantive role in future development of the project. The Project Manager's main briefwill be to supervise the project phases and system aspects necessary for the planningand engineering of the system, as well as the design, construction and commissioning ofthe rail project. In addition, the consultant will draw up a strategy for the operation andmaintenance of the rail system, either by developing an organisation to undertake thisresponsibility or through the award of a concession or contract. The consultant will berequired to draw on stateoftheart international technology for rolling stock, controlsystem, maintenance workshops and depots. Besides, the procurement andcommissioning of all rolling stock and machinery for this project will be overseen by theproject manager. A muchdelayed tender for selection of a railway design consultant hasbeen floated, with all 10 prequalified companies looking to bid for this prestigiouscontract. Bids are due to be submitted by November 07, 2011.
Updated On : September 15, 2011 The Supreme Committee for Town Planning has handed over responsibility forcompletion of this project to the Ministry of Transport & Communications. Tenderdocuments pertaining to the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) have reached theTender Board from the Supreme Committee. For the moment, the ministry's LandTransport department will handle the rail portfolio. The transfer of this scheme is inresponse to a recent decision by the Council of Ministers, who looked to restore theSupreme Committee for Town Planning's original purpose as the Gulf nation's centralplanning body.
Updated On : September 11, 2011 Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the selection of design and project managementconsultants are likely to be floated shortly.
Updated On : July 6, 2011 It is understood that the client has indefinitely delayed the prequalification of companiesfor two contracts on this scheme due to political uncertainties. One contract covers thedesign and the second is for the project management consultancy contract. It is alsoexpected that the ownership of this project might be transferred to the Ministry ofTransport from the Supreme Committee for Town Planning, which is thought to lack thenecessary experience.
Updated On : February 12, 2011 Client has prequalified about 10 firms to bid for the two major consultancy contracts onthis scheme. The two contracts include design and supervision contract, and the projectmanagement consultancy contract.
Updated On : November 28, 2010 Client is expected to complete prequalifying companies for the first two contracts on thisscheme in early 2011. These two contracts include the design and supervision servicescontract and the project management consultancy (PMC) contract. About 32 companieshave submitted prequalification documents for the design and supervision servicescontract, while about 33 firms submitted prequalification documents for the PMCcontract.
Updated On : October 26, 2010 It is understood that prequalification documents are currently under evaluation for thePMC and design consultancy contracts. A shortlist of bidders is expected to beannounced in November 2010. Invitation to bid (ITB) for the PMC and design contracts isexpected to be issued in first quarter of 2011. The engineering study is expected to be
completed in fourth quarter of 2011, while design is expected to be completed in thesecond half of 2012. Construction of the railway is anticipated to commence in 2013.
Updated On : June 27, 2010 Oman's Tender Board has recently opened bids for this project and 32 internationalcompanies from Britain, Russia, France, Germany, Malaysia, USA and China have bid forthe prequalification stage. The components of this railway scheme will be under studyand reassessed at the completion of the detailed engineering designs.
Updated On : June 16, 2010 Prequalification documents have been submitted on June 14, 2010 for the projectmanagement consultancy (PMC) contract on this scheme (delayed from May 31, 2010).
Updated On : May 9, 2010 Nearly 100 local and international companies have collected prequalification documentsby the deadline of May 05, 2010 set by the Tender Board for purchase of thesedocuments. Leading transport specialists and national rail organisations are among thehuge lineup of companies eyeing the prestigious maiden rail contracts. The list includesBechtel, SNC Lavalin, Systra, WorleyParsons, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Cowi &Partners, EGIS Rail, SNCF, Getinsa, ITALFERR, Korea Rail, SALCEF, FSDI ChinaRailway, INECO, Eurofinsa and Hyundai. All four phases of this project may be assignedto one or more prequalified bidders. The selected Design & Supervision Consultant willestablish the system parameters, and operating plan and design standards, as well asprepare the preliminary design for all the elements of the railway scheme. Upon theclient's approval, the consultant will then proceed with the detailed design of alignmentand infrastructure, bridges, culverts and tunnels, railway stations and yards, rail track, andoverhead electrical infrastructure, among other elements. Additionally, the consultant willdevelop specifications for rolling stock and other systems. The selected projectmanagement consultant, on the other hand, will supervise the project phases and systemaspects necessary for the planning and engineering of the system, as well as the design,construction and commissioning of the rail project. The consultant will be required todraw on stateoftheart international technology for rolling stock, control system,maintenance workshops and depots.
This project is in Oman. The network will comprise a double track, standardgauge(1,435mm) system with provision made for the introduction of highspeed trains, withspeeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour (kph) in the future. Initially, however, passengertrains will be operated at speeds of 200 kph, while freight trains will run at speeds rangingfrom 80 to 120 kph. The trains will run on electrical power, supplied through overheadelectrical infrastructure that will be built along the length of the network. The scheme willbe implemented in four phases. The first phase will comprise a 242kilometre line that runsfrom Sohar to Muscat, with commuter stations planned at Sohar Port, Saham, Daqal, AlKhabourah, Al Hur, Al Hazm, Al Abyath and Al Misfah. Intercity Stations will also beestablished in Sohar City, Barka and Muscat. In Phase 2, the network will extend 486kilometres from Muscat to the Port of Duqm, currently under construction of the Wustacoast. Commuter stations on this stretch are proposed at Bid Bid, Samayil, Izki, Ibri, Sinawand Mahawt, while an intercity station will be built at Duqm. Phase 3 of the proposedproject envisages a 166kilometre line from Sohar to Al Ain on the UAE side of the border.Commuter stations are planned at Wadi Jizzi and Sunayna, with an intercity stationenvisaged at Buraimi. Finally, in Phase 4, the Batinah line will be extended 58 kilometresfrom Sohar to the UAE border at Khatmat Malaha and a 646kilometre line from Duqm toSalalah. Along this stretch, the commuter stations are planned at Liwa, Shinas, Al Aqarand Khatmat Malaha. The Batinah line will share a common corridor with the BatinahExpressway. Client has invited consultants to submit prequalification documents by May30, 2010 for the design contract on this scheme. France's Systra and local NationalEngineering Office have carried out a feasibility study for the project.
