Oman Rail’s Project Management Consultancy (PMC) contract has now been settled in favour of the consortium headed by Spanish-based international engineering and infrastructure contractor Técnicas Reunidas.
The Government Tender Board, which has been overseeing the competitive tender on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, announced the winning bid at RO 57.470 million (USD 149.4 million). The PMC is required to undertake a complete review of the preliminary design work of the network already prepared by Italferr, the Preliminary Design Consultant for the Oman National Rail Project. Additionally, the PMC will review the contract process, extend contract management and construction supervision, and provide project management services.
Part of its brief is to oversee the procurement of rolling stock and procurement of the services of 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 railway system of each segment planned for the Oman Railway project.
Technical bids were submitted on January 18, with financial offers due in by March 1. Oman Rail hopes to announce an award for Segment 1 by around the middle of this year.
As the principal interface between contractors and the client, the Project Management Consultant (PMC) has one of the most significant roles to play in ensuring the smooth, timely, and cost-effective implementation of the multi-billion dollar national railway project.
The announcement also ends speculation that the authorities would temporarily do away with a Project Management Consultant — at least for Segment 1 (Sohar–Buraimi) currently under tender — in order not to delay implementation of this key section, slated for completion by 2018.
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