14/05/2015

OmanProjects

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ProjectName

OmanNationalRailwayProject

Description

Engineering,procurementandconstruction(EPC)contracttobuildaNationalRailway
networkspanning2,135kilometresdesignedforhighspeedtrainswithspeedsofupto
350kilometresanhourforpassengertraveland200kilometresanhourforfreighttrains.

Budget($)

15000000000

PostingDate

April25,2010

Period

2018

TenderType

Project

Territory

Oman

Client

CompanyName:MinistryofTransport&Communications(Oman)
Address:
Pin:684
City:Muscat
Country:Oman
Phone:(+968)24685000
Fax:(+968)24685757
Email:
Website:http://www.motc.gov.om

Consultants

DesignConsultant
CompanyName:ItalferrS.p.A(Italy)
Address:ViaV.G.Galati
City:Rome7100155
Pin:
Country:Italy
Phone:(+396)49751
Fax:
EMail:italferr@italferr.it
Website:http://www.italferr.it
EngineeringConsultant
CompanyName:CanarailConsultantsInc.(Canada)
Address:1140boul.deMaisonneuve,West,Suite1050
City:Montreal,QuebecH3A1M8
Pin:
Country:Canada
Phone:(+1514)9850930
Fax:(+1514)9850929
EMail:inbox@canarail.com
Website:http://www.canarail.com
ProjectManager
CompanyName:TecnicasReunidas(Oman)
Address:SafewayBldg.,2ndFloor,DohatAlAdabStreet
City:AlKhuwair
Pin:
Country:Oman
Phone:(+968)24604420
Fax:(+968)24604421
EMail:geoff.hodge@trengineering.com
Website:http://www.tecnicasreunidas.es
SpecialistConsultant
CompanyName:Systra(France)
Address:5,avenueduCoq
City:Paris75009

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Pin:
Country:France
Phone:(+331)40166100
Fax:(+331)40166104
EMail:systra@systra.com
Website:http://www.systra.com
SpecialistConsultant2
CompanyName:NationalEngineeringOffice(Oman)
Address:BahlaHouse,Bldg.No.402,WayNo.4721,HellatAsSaad
City:RuwiPC112
Pin:1657
Country:Oman
Phone:(+968)24835660
Fax:(+968)24835727
EMail:neoffice@omantel.net.om
Website:http://www.neoman.net
SpecialistConsultant3
CompanyName:GrantThornton(USA)
Address:175W,JacksonBlvd.,20thFloor
City:ChicagO,IL606042687
Pin:
Country:UnitedStatesofAmerica
Phone:(+1312)8560200
Fax:
EMail:
Website:http://www.grantthornton.com

Contractors

Status

NewTender

LastUpdated

May13,2015

Tender
Categories

PublicTransportationProjects

Remarks

UpdatedOn:May13,2015
OmanRailhasfloatedtendersforprequalificationofEPCcontractingservicesonthis
scheme.ThefirsttendercallsforprequalificationofEPCcontractorforConventionalCivil
InfrastructureWorksandRailwayTrack.Thepurposeistoassignthescopeof
earthworks,stations,depots,yards,facilitiesandutilities(PQ01215).Allpreviously
qualifiedbiddersareautomaticallyqualifiedforthistenderprovidedtheymaintainthe
sameJVstructure.Interestedcontractorsshouldhaveexperienceinfinaldesignand
constructionofasinglerailwayinfrastructureprojectinthelast5yearswithatotalproject
constructionvalueofmorethan$1billion,experienceinfinaldetaileddesignofrailway
civilinfrastructureforatleastonemajorRailwayProjectinthelastfiveyearscoveringat
least200kilometersofdoubletrack(designspeedofatleast160km/h).Thefeefor
purchasingprequalificationdocumentsisOMR3,000/(US$7,692).Thedeadlineto
collectprequalificationdocumentsisMay27,2015.ThedeadlineforsubmissionsisJuly
01,2015.ThesecondtenderisforComplexCivilInfrastructureWorks(PQ01615).The
scopecoversearthworks,tunnels,bridges,structuretrackworksandstationsinaddition
todepots,yards,facilitiesandutilities.Interestedcontractorsshouldhaveexperiencein
finaldesignandconstructionofasinglerailwayinfrastructureprojectinthelast5years
withatotalprojectconstructionvalueofmorethan$2billionexperienceinfinaldetailed
designofrailwaycivilinfrastructureforatleastonemajorRailwayProjectinthelast5
yearscoveringatleast200kilometersofdoubletrack(designspeedofatleast160
km/h)experienceinthedetaileddesignandconstructionoftunnelsinthelast5years(at
least1railwaytunnelorroadtunnelof5kilometerslong)experienceindesigningand
constructingahighstructure,e.g.Bridgewithverticaldistance(Pillarheight)ofover60
meters.ThefeetopurchaseprequalificationdocumentsisOMR3,000/(US$7,692).The
lastdatetopurchasedocumentsisMay27,2015andsubmissionofapplicationsbyJuly
01,2015.
UpdatedOn:May5,2015
ItisunderstoodthatthisprojectwillbetheessentiallifelinethatconnectstheSultanate's
threedeepseaportsatSohar,DuqmandSalalahwiththeGCCrailnetwork,enabling
theefficienthaulageoffreightfromthesegatewaysdeepintotheArabianhinterland.The
railnetworkisbeingdesignedandbuilttosupportheavyhaulageofcontainers,mineral

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commodities,oilfieldequipmentandotherfreight.Thenationalnetworkwillbeequipped
tohaulcontainersindoublestackformationforbetterefficiency.WithGCCrail
interoperability,containervolumesdischargedatSoharPortcanbehauledbyrailvia
UAEandSaudiArabiatoRiyadhandDammam.Oman'srailnetworkwillbedesignedfor
heavyfreightofupto32.4tonsperaxleload,whichisalmost40%heavierthanthe
Europeanmodel.Furthermore,thisrailnetworkwillbelookingtosupportthehaulageof
oilfieldequipment,suchaspipes,generators,valvesandsoon,fromtheportsintothe
oilfieldareasofOman.Longerterm,thiscapabilityisproposedtobeaugmentedto
providepassengertransportationforoilfieldworkerswhopresentlydependonroad
transportwiththeattendanttrafficsafetyconcernsbyrailaswell.
UpdatedOn:May3,2015
Clientheldmeetingstodiscusspricingwiththefivebiddinggroupsthathavepassedthe
technicalevaluationstageforthecontracttobuildthefirstphaseofthisdevelopment.
UpdatedOn:April29,2015
Fivegroupsbiddingforthecontracttobuildthefirstphaseofthisschemehavepassed
thetechnicalevaluationstage.Thefivegroupsareunderstoodtobe:
India'sLarsen&Toubro/Spain'sFCCConstruction/localKhalidBinAhmed&Sons
Italy'sSaliniImpregilo
ChinaStateConstructionEngineeringCorporation/SouthKorea'sSKEngineering&
Construction
Austria'sPorrBau/Turkey'sYukselInsaat/localSaroojConstructionCompany/
SouthKorea'sDaewoo
Italy'sSaipem,RizzanideEccher/Turkey'sDogusInsaat.
TheclientwillmeetthesefivebiddersonApril30,2015todiscusspricing.
UpdatedOn:April16,2015
Clienthasbegunevaluatingthepotentialvolumesoffreightthatwillbetransportedby
railoverthelongterm.Canada'sCanarailiscarryingoutthepreliminaryengineering
studiesforAlBatinahrailway,includingdetailedfreightandpassengertraffic.
UpdatedOn:April13,2015
Internationalengineeringconsultancyfirmsarepreparingtobidforakeycontractto
provideConstructionSupervisionServicesduringtheimplementationofthefirstsegment
ofthisscheme(C01015).Theselectedconsultantwillprimarilybetaskedwith
overseeingalloftheEPCworksincludedinSegment1.Thedeadlinetocollecttender
documentsisApril20,2015andbidsareduetobesubmittedbyMay18,2015.
Importantly,theconsultantwillbepartofanIntegratedManagementTeam(IMT)being
constitutedbytheclienttooverseethesmoothexecutionofallkeycomponentsof
Segment1.Inadditiontofrontlineexecutivesfromtheclientitself,theIMTwillinclude
representativesfromtheProjectManagementConsultants(headedbySpanishbased
internationalengineeringandinfrastructurecontractorTecnicasReunidas).Italian
transportengineeringspecialistItalferrwillalsoplayasupportiveroleinitscapacityas
thePreliminaryDesignConsultantfortheentireproject.Accordingtoofficials,withthe
appointmentofaConstructionSupervisionConsultant,theclientwillhaveatitsdisposal
theservicesofapanoplyofspecialistswhosecollectivetaskistosmooththewayforthe
expeditiousimplementationofSegment1withinbudgetandwithinareasonabletime
frame.TheappointmentofaConstructionSupervisionConsultanthasbecome
imperativebecausetheProjectManagementConsultancycontractwasscaleddownto
excludeConstructionSupervisionactivitiesfromitsscope.
UpdatedOn:March4,2015
Asmanyas11consortiumsofleadingconstructionandengineeringcompaniesarein
raceforthedesignandbuildcontractoftheproject'sfirstsegment.Clienthasreceived
technicalbidsfrom11jointventures(JVs),withItalianandChinesecompanies
dominatingthelistofcontenders.Amongtheparticipantsthathavesubmittedtechnical
bidsareconsortiumsledbyfourItalianfirms,namely:JVofSaipem,RizzaniDeEccher
andDogusInsaatJVofAstaldi,OmanNationalEngineering&InvestmentsCompany,
YapiMerkeziandCorsanCorviamConstructionJVofSocietaItalianaPerCondotte
D'Acqua,FedericiStirlingBatco,SWSEngineeringandItineraSpAandSalini
Impregilo.ConsortiumsledbyChinesefirmsare:JVofChinaStateConstruction
EngineeringCorporationandSKE&CJVofChinaRailwayGroupLtd.andMapa
InsaatveTicaretandJVofChinaRailwayConstructionCorporationLtd.,
InternationalContractorsCompanyandMohammedAlKharafi&Sons.Other
contendersare:JVofIndia'sLarsen&ToubroLtd.,FCCConstructionSAandKhalid
BinAhmed&SonsJVofIndianfirmIrconInternationalLtd.,withHaniArchirodonand
TataProjectsJVofAustrianfirmsPorrBauGmbH,withYukselInsaat,Sarooj
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ConstructionCompanyandDaewooE&CandJVofKoreanfirmHyundaiEngineering
&Construction,withHassanJumaBacker,AssigniaInfrastructuresandMaire
TecnimontCivilConstruction.Primarydesignsforthefirstsegmenthavebeen
completed.
UpdatedOn:March1,2015
CommercialoffersfortheSoharBuraimisegmentofthisprojectweredueonFebruary
28,2015,withanarrayofinternationalconsortiumsexpectedtosubmitvoluminous
pricingproposalsforthemultibillionDesignandBuildpackage.Biddingisopentoonly
thosegroupsthathadsubmittedcorrespondingtechnicalbidsearlierthisyearforthe
207kilometerSoharBuraimistretch.Withthereceiptofcommercialoffers,theclientcan
nowcommencewiththelaborioustaskoffindingasuitableMainContractortoexecute
thefirstkeysegmentconnectingSoharPortwiththeGCCrailnetwork.Firsttobe
evaluatedwillbethetechnicalbidsbasedonwhichashortlistofthemostattractive
offerswillbeprepared.Inthenextstage,correspondingcommercialoffersofthoseonthe
technicalshortlistwillthenbeopenedforevaluation.Attheendofevaluationexercise,a
handfulofbidderswiththebesttechnicalandpricingofferswillthenbeinvitedforfinal
negotiationsleadingtotheannouncementofacontractaward,tentativelyduringthethird
quarterof2015.Thesuccessfulbidderstandstowinacontractthatiswidelybilledasthe
largestandmostcomplexinfrastructuredevelopmentintheSultanatetodate.
CorrespondingtechnologysystemsforSegment1willbedesignedandinstalledbythe
MainContractor'stechnologypartnerasasubcontractoftheDesign&Buildpackage.
IncludedintheRailwayTechnologySystemspackagearetheElectrical,Signaling,
Telecommunication,Safety,OperationandControl,MechanicalandElectromechanical
Systems.ConstructionworkonSegment1isexpectedtocommencebytheendof2015
orearly2016.
UpdatedOn:February12,2015
Clienthasawardeda$149millionprojectmanagementconsultancy(PMC)contracttoa
consortiumledbySpain'sTecnicasReunidas.Theconsortiumwillworkalongside
OmanRailwayCompanyaspartofanintegratedprojectmanagementteamforSectorA
oftheproject.ThemanagementdealisforSoharBuraimiline.Workinvolvesacomplete
reviewofthepreliminarydesignworkoftherailnetworkandoverseeingcontract
processes,aswellasconstructionsupervisionforthedurationofworkonSectorA.Part
ofitsbriefistooverseetheprocurementofrollingstockandprocurementoftheservices
ofarailtransportoperatorincoordinationwiththegovernment.Alsoaspartofitsremit,
thePMCwillberesponsiblefortestingandcommissioningofthecompletedrailway
systemofeachsegmentplannedforthisscheme.Clientisalsotenderingtherailway's
systemsandtechnology.PrequalifiedfirmsforthiscontractincludeItaly'sAnsaldo
Canada'sBombardierGermany'sSiemensFrance'sThalesandAlstom.
UpdatedOn:February10,2015
Acontractforoperationsandmaintenanceoftherailnetworkissettobeawardedwithin
thefirsthalfofthisyear.Clienthasalsoannouncedthatthefirstphaseoftheline's
construction(fromAlBuraimitoSohar)andforbuildingofanewRailwayCenterof
Excellencetotrainstaffwillbothbeginthisyear.
UpdatedOn:January25,2015
Itisunderstoodthatthedesignpartofallsegmentsofthisprojectwillbecompletedthis
yearbyItalianengineeringfirmItalferr.Theprocessofevaluationoftechnicalbidsis
currentlyunderwayforthefirststageanddetailshavenotbeenrevealed.Afunctionwas
heldrecentlytolaunchthenewbrandidentityforOmanRail.Thedesignoftheidentity
comesintheshapeofatraintogivearealfeelofanaturalsceneryinsidetheOmani
savannaandbeautifulscenerygivingafeelingthatthetraincrossesmountainousareas
totakethepassengerstotheirdifferentdestinations.Thedesignalsogivesafeelingof
connectivity,visionandconfidencereflectingtheSultanate'sculturethroughitsdifferent
traditionalarts.DesignofthelogomirrorsthevisionofOmanRailwaytowardstheworld
asanambassadortotheforeignworldforOmanitraditions,history,social,economic,
tourismandcommercialintegrationinaquick,safeandefficientmanner.
UpdatedOn:January18,2015
Technicalbidsareduetobesubmittedtoday.ConsortiumsandJVsprequalifiedforthe
maindesignandbuildpackagesforSegment1areasfollows:
JointVentureofFCCConstructionSA(leader,Larsen&Toubroltd.andKhalidBin
Ahmed&Sons
JointVentureofStrabagAG(Leader),CCCOman,SamsungE&C,SaliniImpregilo
SpA
JointVentureofChinaStateConstructionEngineeringCorporation(CSCEC)Limited
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(leader)SKE&C
JointVentureofInternationalContractorCompanyLLC(Leader),ChinaRailway
ConstructionCorporation(CRCC)Ltd.andMohammedAlKharafi&Sons
JointVentureofHabtoorLeightonMiddleEast(Leader),AlHassanEngineering,
POSCOE&CandKhimjiRamadas
JointVentureofSocietaItalianaPerCondotteDAcquaSpA(Leader),Federici
StirlingBATCOLLC,SWSEngineeringSpAandItineraSpA
JointVentureofVinciConstructionGrandProject(Leader),AKTORTechnicalSAand
VinciConstructionTerrassement
JointVentureofPORBAUGmbH(leader),YukselInsat,SaroojConstruction
CompanyLLCandDaewooE&CLLC
JointVentureofSaipemSpA(leader),RizzaniDeEccherSpAandDogusInsaat
JointVentureofIrconInternationalLimited(leader),HaniArchirodonLLCandTata
Projects
JointVentureofChinaTiesijuCivilEngineeringGroupCo.Ltd(leader),ChinaRailway
EryuanEngineeringGroupCo.Ltd.
JointVentureofASTALDISpA(leader),ONEIC,YapiMerkeziandCorsanCorviam
ConstruccionSA
JointVentureofSinohydroCorporationLtd.(leader)andArabtecConstructionLLC
JointVentureofHyundaiEngineering&ConstructionCo.Ltd(leader),HasanJuma
Backer,AssigniaInfraestructurasandMaireTecnimontCivilConstruction
JointVentureofAccionaInfraestructuras(leader),OzkarandTeixeiraDuarte
Engineer&Constructed
JointVentureofChinaRailwayEngineeringCorporation(CREC)(leader),Mapa
GunalOmanLLV
JointVentureofFerrovialAgromanSA(leader)andGalfarEngineering&Contracting
SAOG.
Awaitingthesuccessfulbidderisasubstantialpackageofworksencompassingvirtually
allaspectsofraildesign,engineering,supply,construction,installationand
commissioning.Italsorequiresthecontractorstoundertake,amongotherthings,
topographicandgeotechnicalsitesurveys.ConsortiumsandJVsprequalifiedforthe
RailSystempackageare
oAnsaldoSTSSpA
oJointventureofBombardierTransportationItalySPA(leader)andSirtiSpA
oJointventureofSiemensAG(leader)andSiemensLLCOman
oConsortiumofThalesDeutsclandTransportationSystemGmbH(leader),Thales
Oman
oConsortiumofAlstomTransporteSA(leader)andAlstomBelgiumSA.
UpdatedOn:January13,2015
WithacontractforSegment1nowslatedforawardbyaroundmid2015,thefocusis
beingshiftedtoSegment2,whichcoversalengthof240kilometersthatbeginsfrom
Hafeet,nearBuraimi,andtravelssouthtoanambitiousEconomicZoneplannedinAl
DhahirahGovernorateinthenorthwestoftheSultanate.BeyondDhahirah,thealignment
traversesthevastdesertexpansesofcentralOmanthroughGhabahandonwardto
Haima.BetweenGhabahandHaimahowever,abranchveerssouthwesttowardsDuqm.
Segment2willbeundertakenintwostages(sectors).SectorAcoversa114kilometer
stretchfromHafeet(whereSegment1ends)toIbri,theadministrativecenterofAl
DhahirahGovernorate.SectorBspansa126kilometerlengthfromIbritoafuture
greenfieldEconomicZoneinthefarsouthofthegovernorate.Dependinguponfunding
forthisproject,othersegmentscouldbetakeninhandforimplementationinrapid
succession.
UpdatedOn:January12,2015
OmanRailhasidentifiedawidearrayofproductsandservicesforlocalprocurement
duringtheexecutionandoperationalphasesofthisscheme.AfarreachingInCountry
Value(ICV)creationstrategydrawnupbythewhollystateownedrailcompanyenvisions
opportunitiesforlocalizationbothintheprocurementofgoodsandservices,aswellas
Omanisationandtrainingacrossnumerousfacetsoftheproject.Inordertomaximise
theimpactofprocurementplan,OmanRailhasaskedbidderstodifferentiatebetween
threecategoriesofICVcreationinitiativesdependingontheavailabilityofdifferent
productsandservicesfromOmanisubcontractors.Category1initiativescoverproducts
andservicesthatcanbeproducedfromOmanisubcontractorsprovidedtheymeetthe
qualityspecsprescribedbyOmanRail.Includedinthiscategoryareworkpackages
relatingto:Engineeringconsulting,Designconsulting,Projectmanagement,
Constructionearthworks,Tunneldesign,Tunnelconstruction,Bridgedesign,Bridge
construction,Passengerterminaldesign,Passengerterminalconstruction,Freight
terminaldesign,Freightterminalconstruction,Storageyard/depot/marshalingyard
design,Storageyard/depot/marshalingyardconstruction,Surveyingandtopography,
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Geotechnicalanalysis,Environmentalimpactanalysis,Auditingservices,Administrative
services,Concretesupply,Furnituresupply,Corporateclothingsupply,Stationerysupply,
Surveillancetechnologyandsystems,Alarmsystems,Soundsystems(incl.PAsystems),
OfficeIT,Insuranceprovision,Logisticsservices,Cleaningservices,Security,Brokerage,
ITservices,Financialservices,Marketingandcommunications,Wastemanagement,
PlumbingandTravelservices.
ListedinCategory2areICVcreationopportunitieslinkedtothedevelopmentofpotential
Omanisubcontractorsinareassuchasthesupplyofsteelrails,sleepers,ballast,track
installation,trainingandHRservices.Biddersarerequiredtodetailproposalsonhowthe
capabilitiesofregisteredOmanisubcontractorscanbesuitablyupgraded(forexample,
throughaninvestmentinproductionassetsorthroughtheestablishmentofapartnership
orjointventurebetweenaforeigncompanyandtheOmanisubcontractor).
Finally,identifiedinCategory3areopportunitiesforalternativeICVcreationcenteringon
productsandservicesthatcannotbesuppliedbyOmanisubcontractors,butwillneedto
besuppliedbynonOmanisubcontractors.Here,biddersarerequiredtosubmit
proposalsforalternativeinitiativesforICVcreationeitherdirectlyorindirectlyrelatedto
thefollowingproductsorservices:Switchesandturnouts,Fasteningssupply,Signaling
andtelecomsystemssupply,Ticketvendingmachinesupply,Passengerinformation
systemsandLegaladvisory.Significantly,abidder'sabilitytocreatesizeable
opportunitiesforICVgenerationnotablythroughlocalizationofindustries,
manufacturingactivities,employmentgenerationandtrainingofOmanisisan
advantageinthecontestforthekeenlyanticipatedDesign&Buildpackagecovering
Segment1ofthisnetwork,whichwillbeawardedinmid2015.Tendersforsome
additionalsegmentsarealsoexpectedtobefloatedthisyear.
UpdatedOn:January7,2015
Clienthasissuedatenderforlegalconsultancyservicesonthisproject.Thedeadlinefor
bidsisJanuary20,2015.Scopeofworkinvolvespreparingthelaws,rulesand
regulations,andotherinstitutionalrequirementsfortherailway.Omanhasnotyet
confirmedwhetheritwilloperatetherailservicesitselforbringininternationaloperators.
UpdatedOn:December18,2014
ClienthasfurtherextendedthedeadlinetoMarch01,2015forsubmissionofcommercial
bidsforSegment1ofthisscheme.TechnicalbidsmustbehandedinbyJanuary18,
2015.Thisextensionfollowsarequestbylargenumberofbiddersseekingmoretimeto
pricetheiroffersamidtheongoingeconomicturmoilinworldmarketsunleashedby
slidinginternationaloilprices.
UpdatedOn:December4,2014
Anagreementforajointventurecompany,SPYD,hasbeensignedbetweenSarooj
ConstructionCompany,PORRofAustria,YukselofTurkey,DaewooEngineering&
Construction.Itisunderstoodthatthesecompaniescomplementeachotherinevery
aspectmakingthejointventureastrongcontenderforsecuringtheprojectcontract.
UpdatedOn:November30,2014
Clienthasgrantedamonth'sextensiontobidderscompetingforthemultibilliondollar
contracttoexecuteSegment1ofthisnetwork,whichentailsconstructionofa207
kilometerstretchfromSohartoBuraimi.Thedeadlineforsubmissionofbidsisdeferredto
January18,2015fromthepreviousdeadlineofDecember21,2014.Ingrantingthis
extension,theclientcitedrequestsfromanumberoftenderersseekingmoretimeto
preparetheirbids.Atthesametime,theclientalsoaffirmedthecriticalityofthetender
timelinetotheoverallsuccessofthisscheme.All18consortiumsandjointventures
prequalifiedbyOmanRailtocompeteforSegment1packageareunderstoodtobebusy
atworkpreparingtheiroffers.Thewinningconsortiumwillberequiredtoimplementa
prioritystretchextendingfromtheindustrialportofSohartoBuraimi,ontheSultanate's
borderwithUAE,onaDesign&Buildbasis.Awaitingthesuccessfulbidderisaweighty
packageofworksencompassingvirtuallyallaspectsofraildesign,engineering,supply,
construction,installationandcommissioning.Itrequiresthecontractortoundertake,
amongotherthings,topographicandgeotechnicalsitesurveysearthworksdesign
hydrologyanddrainagedesignandconstructionofmajorandminorstructuressuchas
bridges,tunnelsandviaductstrackworksstationsfreightfacilitiesandyardsandthe
provisionoflinemaintenancefacilities.Giventhemountainousterrainthroughwhichthe
alignmentpasses,crisscrossedbyvalleysandwadis,scoresofviaducts(bridge
structurescomposedofseveralsmallspansforcrossingavalleyorgorge)willbe
constructedenroute.Morethan70viaductstotalingastaggeringlengthofaround27.5
kilometerswillbebuiltacrosswadisandlowgroundallalongtheroute.Thesingle
largestviaductisastaggering2.4kilometerslong,spanningamajorwadiintersecting
thealignmentonthissegment.Alsoaddingtothemultibilliondollarconstructioncosts
associatedwithSegment1willbetunnelsthatwillhavetobeboredthroughmountains
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traversingthealignment.Asmanyas10tunnelsofatotallengthof4.7kilometerswillbe
builtatkeypointsalongtheroute.Theyincludeapairoftunnelseachofaround1.57
kilometers,amonumentallengthbyOmanstandards.
UpdatedOn:November9,2014
Amixofcommuterandintercitypassengerstationsareenvisagedatkeylocationsalong
thefirstsegmentofthisproject,currentlyundertender.Inall,fivepassengerterminals
havebeenidentifiedbytheclient.PassengerstationsareplannedatSoharCity,Al
Wasit,Zurub,HafeetandBuraimi.Ofthesefivelocations,AlWasitandZurubwillhost
CommuterStations,whiletheotherthreewillfeatureeithersmallormediumGCC
Intercitystations.Passengerstationsplannedallalongthenationalrailnetworkhave
beenclassifiedintothefollowingtwobroadcategories:1)Main,MediumandSmall
Stations(basedontheirdimensions)and2)IntercityandCommuter(dependingonthe
typeofservicetheyprovide).StationsdefinedasIntercityGCC/MainStationsarethose
thatcatertodifferentkindsofnationalandinternationalpassengertrafficattracting
volumesinexcessof300peakhourpassengers(PHP)counts.Intercity/MainStations,on
theotherhand,areterminalsthataresimilartoIntercityGCC/MainStations,minusthe
internationalpassengercomponent.IntercityGCC/MediumStationsareterminalsthat
attractamixofnationalandinternationalpassengerflowsaveragingmorethan100PHP
andlessthan300PHP.Likewise,Intercity/MediumStationsaresimilartoIntercity
GCC/MediumStations,albeitwithouttheinternationalservice.
UpdatedOn:October28,2014
ItisunderstoodthataconsortiumofPORRBAUGmbH,YukselConstruction,Sarooj
ConstructionCompanyandDaewooE&Cisoneamongthegroupsbiddingfor
Segment1ofthisscheme.
UpdatedOn:October19,2014
Acontractforconstructionofthe207kilometerstretchfromSohartoBuraimiis
anticipatedtobeawardedbymid2015.Constructionisexpectedtocommenceinthe
thirdquarterofthatyear.Trainswillstartrunningonthisstretchby2018.Atotalof(18)
consortiumsandjointventureshaveprequalifiedtoparticipateinthedesignandbuild
package.BidsareduetobesubmittedbyDecember21,2014.SoharBuraimistretchwill
beimplementedinthreesections:
Sector1A,coveringadistanceof127kilometers,connectsSoharstationtoOmanUAE
borderatAlBuraimiandKhatmatMilahah.ItcrossesthemountainrangebetweenSohar
andBuraimi,followingthepathofWadiAlJizzi,wheretheexistingmotorwayruns.
Sector1Bisa34kilometerspurlinethatdepartsfromSector1AandendsatBuraimi
station.ItrunsinitiallythroughthemountainsandendsupintheBuraimiplan.
Sector1Cisa38kilometerspurlineconnectingtheSoharPorttoSector1A.
Alsotobeconstructedalongtherouteareanumberofrailwayfacilities,including
stations,freightyards,waysidemaintenancebases,andmaintenancedepots.Afurther8
kilometersoftrackwillbebuilttoconnectjunctionsatSector1Ato1Band1C.
UpdatedOn:October15,2014
Aspartofthegovernment'scommitmenttointegrateOmanRailwiththeGCCrailway
network,thefirstphaseofthisdieseloperatedschemefromSohartoBuraimiwillbe
completedby2018.ClienthasfloatedanEPCtenderforthefirstpartwith18biddersin
thefrayandacontractwillbeawardedin2015.
UpdatedOn:September24,2014
Anumberofmajoreconomic,industrialandlogisticshubsplannedfordevelopmentin
Dhahirah,SharqiyahandWustagovernoratesoftheSultanatewillbeconnectedtothis
railwaynetwork.Railconnectivitywiththeseproposedindustrialparkswillhelpattract
infrastructural,industrialandcommercialinvestmentinandaroundthesehubs,thereby
positioningthemasnewgrowthpolesforOman'slongtermeconomicdevelopment.
Alignmentsalreadyapprovedbytheclient,willseethenetworkskirtinganarea
earmarkedforthedevelopmentofamegaeconomichubinDhahirahGovernorate.The
project,dubbedDhahirahEconomicZone,isproposedtobelinkedbyrailwhen
Segments2and3ofthenationalnetworkaretakeninhandforimplementation.
ConnectivitybetweentheDhahirahEconomicZoneandthenationalnetworkwillbe
providedbya126kilometerlinethatrunssouthfromIbritothesiteofthehub.This
stretchwillbeundertakenduringSegment2oftherailproject.Afurther116kilometer
stretchwilllinktheDhahirahEconomicHubwiththeraillineatGhaba,withconstruction
envisionedduringSegment3oftherailproject.Similarly,anewindustrialparkplanned
bythePublicEstablishmentforIndustrialEstates(PEIE)atAlMudhaibiinSharqiyah
NorthGovernorateisalsoexpectedtobelinkedtotherailnetwork.Connectivitywiththe
networkisplannedduringPhase3oftherailprojectwhenlinkagesbetweenDuqm,
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Sinaw,IbraandMisfahareexecuted.
UpdatedOn:September16,2014
InternationalconsortiumsbiddingforSegment1ofthisprojectarerequiredtoinclude
commitmentstothetrainingandskillsdevelopmentofOmanisintheirbidsubmissions.
Aspartoftheirbidproposals,biddersmustspellouttheirplansfororganizingspecific
trainingcoursesdesignedtoenableOmanistafftogaintheknowledgeandskills
necessarytooperateandmanagethenetworkwhenitcomestooperation.Thescopeof
thiscapacitybuildingencompassesnotonlyrailconstructionaspects,butalsothe
management,operationandmaintenanceofinfrastructure,trackworks,systems,
software,equipment,toolsandmachineryrelatedtotheproject.Furthermore,trainees
deputedbyOmanRailwillhavetobefamiliarizedwiththeoperationofrailwaytraffic
managementsystemsandmanagementoftheOperationsControlCenter,nervecenter
oftherailnetwork.Significantly,allcostsrelatedtothetrainingactivitiesmustbeborneby
thesuccessfulbidder.Thisincludescoststowardstheprovisionofclassrooms,facilities,
instructionalmaterials,facultysalariesandsoon.Overseastraining,ifany,willalsohave
tobebornebythecontractoratitscost.
UpdatedOn:September8,2014
OmanRailwayCompany(ORC)hasfloatedaprequalificationglobaltenderforthe207
kilometerlongstretchfromSohartoBuraimi.Thetenderincludestwolistsfor
prequalification,infrastructureandITsystems.Thelistofqualifiedcompanieswouldbe
validforfouryears.Theconstructiontenderwillbeforfirstpart(AlBuraimiSohar).The
otherparts,whichconnectSalalahandDuqmportswithGCCportswouldbelimitedonly
tocompaniesthatqualifiedforthetender.Atotalof18consortiumsandjointventures
prequalifiedtoparticipateinthedesignandbuildpackage.Thelastdateforsubmission
ofbidsisDecember21,2014.ThisstretchwouldhelpconnectSoharPortwiththeGCC
railnetworkatBuraimineartheUAEborder.Anumberofrailwayfacilities,including
stations,freightyards,waysidemaintenancebases,andmaintenancedepotswouldhave
tobeconstructed.
UpdatedOn:September3,2014
ItisunderstoodthatcontractorsbiddingforthemultibilliondollarSegment1packageof
thisprojectriskdisqualificationiftheydonotcommittoaprocurementofatleast10%of
theirbidvaluefromlocalOmanisubcontractors.Further,itistobenotedthatmere
achievementofthe10%minimumdoesnotguaranteethatthebidderwillachievethe
minimumthresholdstipulatedintheevaluationcriteriafortheInCountryValue(ICV)
plan.Assuch,OmanRailexpectstheTenderertonotonlymeetthe10%minimum
threshold,buttoclearlyexceedit.
UpdatedOn:July8,2014
Clienthasannouncednewprocurementopportunitiesforallvendorstocontributetothe
developmentofstrategicnationalrailway.TheregistrationisopentoallOmani
companiesandbusiness,especiallysmallandmediumenterprises,whichare
particularlyencouragedtoregister.Theregistrationisopentoallvendorsthatcan
provideproductsandservicesforanypartoftherailvaluechain,fromconstructionto
operationandmaintenance.Itiscurrentlytargetingvendorsinthefollowingindustries:
engineeringservices,contracting,buildingmaterials,railwaystrackmaterials,railway
equipmentandprofessionalservices.Registrationshouldbecompletedthroughthe
companysonlineportalwww.omanrail.om/vendorsandinvolvessubmissionofbasic
companyinformation.
UpdatedOn:June26,2014
BiddersshortlistedforthekeycontracttoprovidePMCservicesonthisschemehave
beeninstructedtoextendtheirbidbondsbyafurthertwomonths.Anearliersetofbid
bondssubmittedbythebiddinggroupshadexpiredearlierthisweek,promptingthe
TenderBoardtodirectallthreeconsortiumstoextendtheirvaliditybyafurthertwo
months.
UpdatedOn:June22,2014
ThePMCcontractisyettobeawarded.Itisunderstoodthatallthethreeshortlistedfirms
areinequalcontentiontowin.
UpdatedOn:May15,2014
AtenderfortherailnetworklinkingSoharAlBuraimiwillbeissuedinJuly2014.
DesignsforthislinkwillalsobecompletedinJuly2014.Thenetworkwillalsoconnect
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withnorthernAlBatinahgovernorateandinvolvebothpassengerandcargoservices.
UpdatedOn:April30,2014
ItisunderstoodthattheconsortiumledbyKoreaRailNetworkAuthority(KRNA),which
isamongthestrongestcontendersfortheprestigiousPMCpackageonthisproject,has
pledgedtosupportthetransferofrailtechnology,aswellasthedevelopmentofalocal
productionbaseinOman.TheKRNAconsortiumhassubmittedabidof$87million
($274millioninclusiveofconstructionsupervision)forthekeyPMCpackage.Other
membersofthisconsortiumincludeKorea'sDohwaEngineering,FirstChinaRailway,
India'sBalajiRailroadSystemsandlocalNationalEngineeringOffice(NEO).Whilethe
Koreanandotherforeignmembersintheconsortiumconducttechnologytransferand
technicaltrainingprograms,NEOwillhelpthemgetacquaintedwithuptodaterailway
technologiesthrougheffectivehumanresourcemanagement.Thefrontrunnersforthis
contractalsoincludeSpain'sTecnicasReunidaswithabidof$154million($423million
withconstructionsupervision),andParsonsInternationalwithabidof$203million
($480millionwithconstructionsupervision).Thekeenlyanticipatedcontracthasbeen
pledgedtothegroupthattalliesthehighestcombinedscoreforfinancialmerit(30points
max)andtechnicalmerit(70points).
UpdatedOn:April10,2014
Aprequalificationprocesslaunchedbytheclientwiththeaimofidentifyingcompetent
biddersforitsmainconstructionpackagehaselicitedinterestfromarecord102civiland
engineeringconstructionfirmsfromaroundtheworld,includinganumberofinternational
majors.Separately,47localandinternationalfirmscollecteddocumentspertainingtothe
prequalificationofbiddersfortheRailwaySystemspackage.Constructionmajorsfrom
Turkey,China,Italy,France,Spain,KoreaandIndiaareamongdozensofinternational
companiesthathavesignaledinterestinbiddingforthekeyCivilInfrastructureand
RailwayTrackDesignandBuildContractingServicesPackage(MainContractor)ofthis
scheme.ThelistincludescontractinggiantssuchasOzkar,AFCONS,L&TECC,STFA,
HyundaiEngineering&Construction,TOTO,Strabag,HanjinHeavyIndustries,
Saipem,J&P,ChinaRailway,CCC,Astaldi,TAVTepeAkfen,Samsung,Acciona,
Tecnimont,IrconInternational,HochtiefConstruction,POSCOandEiffageRail
Contractinginterestfromlocallyandregionallybasedfirmshasbeenequallyrobust.
PotentialcontendersfromtheSultanateincludeGalfar,ZubairCorporation,Hani
Archirodon,Services&Trade,FedericiStirlingBATCO,Teejan,CarillionAlawi,
BahwanContracting,AlHassanEngineering,TowellInfrastructure,Drake&Scull
Oman,GulfPetrochemicalServices,OmanBruneiInvestmentandSimplex
Infrastructures.
UpdatedOn:March24,2014
Clientisstudyingoptionsforoperationofthetrainnetwork,whethertogoitaloneor
partnerwithaninternationalrailoperator.Adecisionisexpectedtobetakenbeforethe
endofthisyear.Alsounderconsiderationistheoptionofentrustingresponsibilityfor
operationoftherailnetworktoareputedoperatorunderalongtermconcession
agreement.Allthreealternativesarecurrentlyunderreview,withadecisionexpectedto
befinalizedduringthesecondhalfofthisyear.
UpdatedOn:March23,2014
Clienthasextendedtheclosingdatefortheprequalificationofdesignandbuildof
railwayinfrastructure(OR/T14/PQ/01)anddesignandbuildofrailwaytechnology
systems(OR/T14/PQ/02)tillMarch27,2014.
UpdatedOn:March12,2014
InternationalfirmsseekingtoprequalifyforOmanRail'ssystemstenderpackagemust
haveprovenexperienceinthesupply,installationandcommissioningofendtoend
technologysystemsnecessarytosupportthesmooth,safeandefficientoperationofthis
largerailnetwork.MinimumqualificationcriteriastipulatedbyOmanRailrequirebidders
tohaveundertakeninthelastfiveyearsacontractfortheinstallationandcommissioning
ofrailwaysignalling,telecommunicationandotherelectromechanicalsystemsofavalue
ofatleast$100million.Additionally,biddersshouldhavesuccessfullycommissionedin
thelast5yearsaLevel2versionoftheEuropeanRailTrafficManagementSystem
(ERTMS),whichiswidelydeployedbymodernrailnetworksaroundtheworld.Besides,
theyshouldhavesuccessfullydesignedtechnologicalsystemsforatleastonemajor
railwayprojectinthelastfiveyearsinvolvingaminimum200kilometresofdoubletrack
withadesignspeedequaltoormorethan160kilometresperhour.TheRailwaySystems
ContractorwillserveasasubcontractoroftheMainContractor,whowillberesponsible
overallfortheintegration,testingandcommissioningofthenetwork.Theselected
RailwaySystemsContractorwillberequiredtoprovidenetworkwidetechnological
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systemsthatmeetstheperformanceandfunctionalrequirementsofthenationalnetwork.
Inchoosingtherequisitesystemsforthenetwork,emphasiswillbeonhardwareof
proventechnologywithhighreliabilityandlowcostmaintenance.Alsoaspartofitsbrief,
theRailwaySystemsContractorwillhavetodeliverafullyintegratedandoperational
project,whichshallalsobemaintainedforaperiodof2years.Endtoendsignalling
systemsareakeycomponentoftheRailwayTechnologySystemstenderpackage.The
selectedbidderwillberequiredtoprovideanETCS(ERTMS)Level2signallingsystem
fortrafficcontrolalongwithassociatedsystemsfortraindetection,switchcontrol,broken
raildetection,levelcrossings,andhotboxdetection.Alsoenvisionedaspartofthe
tenderpackageisanequallysubstantialtelecomsystemscomponentthatincludesa
CoreCommunicationsNetwork(CCN),FibreOpticTransmissionSystems(FOTS),SDH
FibreBackbone,MobileRadioConnections,LAN,WANandWiFi,PublicAddress
System,PassengerinformationSystemandPassengerInformationDisplay.Otherkey
componentsoftheRailwayTechnologySystemspackageincludeanOperationControl
Centre,CentralizedTrafficControlSystem,NetworkSupervisionSystem,Passengerfare
collection,ticketvendingandvalidationequipment,andanarrayofsecurityhardware.A
contractawardfortheD&Bpackageisslatedduringthefourthquarterofthisyear.
UpdatedOn:March3,2014
ItisunderstoodthattheconsortiumheadedbyDohwaEngineering,aSouthKorean
multidisciplinaryengineeringconsultingfirm,isastrongcontenderforthemuchdelayed
PMCcontractonthisscheme.Envelopescontainingthefinancialofferssubmittedby
variousinternationalgroupscompetingforthekeyPMCpackagewereopenedatthe
TenderBoard.DohwaEngineeringledconsortiumsubmittedthelowestbidof$87
million($274millioninclusiveofconstructionsupervision).Thenextlowestbidhasbeen
submittedbyaconsortiumheadedbySpanishbasedinternationalgeneralcontractor
TecnicasReunidas,withabidof$154million($423millionwithconstruction
supervision).ThegroupledbyUS'ParsonsInternationalisthethirdlowestbidderwitha
quoteof$203million($477millionwithconstructionsupervision).Thefinancialoffersof
twootherconsortiumsledbyHillInternationalandParsonsBrinckerhoffhavenot
beendisclosed,effectivelyunderstoodthattheyhavebeeneliminatedfromthe
competition.DohwaEngineeringhasteamedupwithlocalNationalEngineeringOffice,
KoreaRailNetworkAuthority,FirstChinaRailwayandIndia'sBalajiRailroad
Systems.ThesuccessfulProjectManagementConsultantwillprovide,amongothers
things,consultancyservicesforestablishingOmanRailwayCompany.Further,in
additiontoreviewingthedesignofthenetwork,thePMCwillalsoundertakeareviewof
theactivitiesofthePreliminaryDesignConsultant.Besides,theselectedfirmwillreview
thecontractprocess,extendcontractmanagementandconstructionsupervision,aswell
asprovideprojectmanagementservices.Additionally,thePMCwilloverseethe
procurementofrollingstockandprocurementoftheservicesofarailtransportoperatorin
coordinationwiththegovernment.Thecompanywillalsoprepareatrainingprogramfor
capacitybuildingofOmaninationals.
UpdatedOn:February24,2014
Itisunderstoodthattheclienthasprescribedstrictprequalificationcriteria,whichmeans
thatonlyinternationalcontractorswithprovenandsolidexperienceinthedesignand
constructionofrailwayinfrastructurecanbidforthekeyDesignandBuild(D&B)package
onthisscheme.Omanicontractorsareexpectedtoformjointventurepartnershipsor
forgeallianceswiththeprequalifiedbidderswhentenderingforthemainD&Bpackage,
coveringSegment1ofthenetwork,opensinthethirdquarterofthisyear.Inaclear
demonstrationofitsintenttodevelophighqualityandrobustrailinfrastructure,theclient
hassetstringentminimumqualificationcriteriathatseektoattractonlytheworld'sfinest
railcontractorstoparticipateinthebiddingprocess.Contractorsseekingtoprequalifyfor
theD&Bpackagemusthaveexperienceinthefinaldesignandconstructionofasingle
railwayinfrastructureprojectinthelastfiveyearswithatotalprojectconstructionvalueof
morethan$1billion.Also,theyshouldhaveundertakenthedetaileddesignand
constructionofatleastonerailwaytunnelorroadtunnelofatleast500metresinthelast
fiveyears.Crucially,prospectivebiddersshouldalsohaveexperienceinthefinal
detaileddesignofrailwaycivilinfrastructureforatleastonemajorrailwayprojectinthe
lastfiveyearscoveringatleast200kilometresofdoubletrack(withdesignspeedofat
least160kilometresperhour).
UpdatedOn:February17,2014
OmanRailwayCompany(ORC)hasinvitedlocalandinternationalcompaniestopre
qualifyforworkonthisproject.Thetenderincludestwolistsforprequalification:
InfrastructureandITsystems.Thelistofprequalifiedcompanieswillbevalidforfour
years.Theconstructiontenderwillbeforthefirstsectionofthescheme,whichwillbe
about170kilometreslongandconnectSoharPorttotheUAEborderatBuraimi.The
otherparts,whichconnectSalalahandDuqmportswiththeGCCports,willbelimitedto
thefirmsthatprequalifiedforthistenderonly.AccordingtoORC,uponcompletingthe
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prequalificationstage,whichwillcoincidewiththecompletionofdesignoftheBuraimi
SoharsegmentinAugust2014,itwillfloattheexecutiontendertocompaniesthathave
beenprequalifiedforinfrastructure,subjecttowhethertheyusetheservicesofthefirms
thatprequalifiedfortheITsystemsassubcontractors.
UpdatedOn:February10,2014
Thedesignersbehindthisprojecthaverevealedthattheyareinaveryintensivephaseof
theprocess.ItalferrisduetocompletetheworkbyJanuary2016.Some(29)firms
submittedbidstoprojectmanagethelineinAugust2013,includingAecom,Parsons,
ChinaCRECandHillInternational.Clientisexpectedtoannounceadecisionsoonand
appointcontractorslaterthisyear,withaviewtostartingworkonsitebythefourthquarter
of2014.
UpdatedOn:February9,2014
Prequalificationofcontractorsforthedesignandbuild(DB)packageisduetobefloated
thismonth.Inadditiontotheprequalificationprocessforamaincontractortoundertake
theDBcivilworkspackage,theclientwillalsofloatatenderfortheprequalificationof
biddersforthesystemspackage.However,theselectedsystemscontractorwillserveas
asubcontractortotheDBcontractorthatwillundertakethemaincivilworkspackage.
ContractorsprequalifiedtobidforthemainDBcivilworkspackagewillbeeligibleto
participateinDBtendersforsuccessivesegmentsforaperiodoffouryearsbeforethe
clientannouncesanewprequalificationround.Thecivilconstructioncontractis
expectedtobeawardedbyendofthisyear,withworkanticipatedtocommenceduring
thefirstquarterof2015.
UpdatedOn:January13,2014
Accordingtotheclient,prequalificationofcontractorswillcommencesoonforthemain
contract,withanawardforthefirstpartofconstructionfromAlBuraimitoSoharexpected
bytheendofthisyear.
UpdatedOn:November21,2013
ItisunderstoodthatthedesignofBuraimiSoharrailsegmentisexpectedtobe
completedbyMay2014,withothersegmentsalsoslatedforimplementationinparallel.
Thefirstsegment,comprisingatotallengthof171kilometres,ismadeupofthree
sections:a136kilometrestretchfromSoharPorttoUAEborderatAlSunaynah/AlAina
27kilometrespurtoAlBuraimi,andan8kilometrespurtotheSoharRailwayYard.In
parallelwiththissegment,developmentwillalsobepursuedontheAlBuraimiSinaw
stretch,aswellasrestofthe2,244kilometrenationalnetworkthatrunsviaDuqmallthe
waydowntoSalalahandYemenborder.The330kilometreAlBuraimiSinawstretch,
whichrunsbehindtheNorthOmanmountains,isarecentadditiontothenationalrail
network.Additionalrailwaylinesandspurscouldrampupthetotallengthoftherail
networktoanestimated3,000kilometresintheinitialphasesofthisproject.
UpdatedOn:October30,2013
Itisunderstoodthatthefirstsectionofthisschemewillinvolvebuilding170kilometresof
track.ClientwillinvitecompaniestobidforEPCpackagesbeforetheendofsecond
quarterof2014,withawardsscheduledbytheendof2014.Thefirstsectioninvolves
connectingSoharPorttoUAEborderatBuraimiandAlAin,whereitwilllinkupwith
UAE'sEtihadRailnetworkinAbuDhabiemirate.TheRFPwillbeforalumpsumturnkey
contract.US'GrantThorntonhasbeenappointedtoplantheorganizationalstructureof
thenewOmanRailwayCompany,whichwillstartoperationsbeforetheendofthisyear.
UpdatedOn:August27,2013
Atotaloffivecompanieshavesubmittedtechnicalbidsfortheprojectmanagement
consultancy(PMC)contract.TheyincludeUSParsonsBrinckerhoff,HillInternational,
ParsonsInternationalSpainsTecnicasReunidasandSouthKoreasDohwa
Enginnering.Theprequalificationprocessforvariousdesignandbuildpackagesis
expectedtostartlaterthisyear.
UpdatedOn:August19,2013
ItalysItalferrhasbeenawarded$37milliondealtoprovidedesignconsultancyservices
onthisscheme.Workwillbeundertakenundera25monthdeal.
UpdatedOn:August12,2013
ClienthasextendedthedeadlineuntilAugust26,2013tosubmitbidsfortheproject
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managementconsultancy(PMC)contractonthisscheme.
UpdatedOn:July22,2013
ItisunderstoodthatOman'sTenderBoardhasawardedacontractworth$35milliontoa
consultancyfirmforinitialdesignofthisproject.Nameofthefirmhasnotbeendisclosed,
butthethreefirms,whichwereshortlistedwereDBInternational,NationalEngineering
OfficeandItalferr.Thelatterhadsubmittedthelowestbidofjustover$32million,
comparedwitha$43millionbidfromDBInternational.Clienthasalsoissuedatenderfor
theprojectmanagementconsultancy(PMC)contractonthisscheme.Itisunderstoodthat
theTenderBoardwillopenbidsfromprospectivebiddersonJuly29,2013.Oncethe
decisiononaprojectmanagementconsultanthasbeenmade,whichisexpectedthis
year,theprequalificationprocessforthedesignandbuildcontractonthefirstphasewill
getunderway.
UpdatedOn:July16,2013
ItisunderstoodthatthisprojectwillbeformallyknownasOmanRailaccordingto
authoritiesoverseeingtheimplementationofthisambitiousscheme.OmanRailwillbe
administeredbyOmanRailCompany,whichiscurrentlyunderformation.OmanRailwill
bepivotalplayerinanewlydelineatedframeworksetupwithintheMinistryofTransport
&Communicationstoensuretheefficientimplementationoftheproject,aswellasthe
appropriatemanagementoftherailwaysector.Undertheframework,theMinistrywill
playtheroleofpolicymaker,whileallissuesrelatedtolicensing,auditing,organisation
andlegislationwillbeinthehandsoftheDirectorateGeneralforLandTransport&
Railway.AheadoftheformalestablishmentofOmanRail,theMinistryhaslaunchedthe
processofselectingaqualifiedconsultanttoundertaketheOrganisationDesignStudy
fortheparentcompany.Anumberofinternationalcompaniesareparticipatinginalocal
tenderfloatedbytheMinistryinthisregard.Theselectedconsultantwillassistthe
MinistryinidentifyingaframeworkwithinwhichOmanRailwilloperate,aswellas
determineitsrelationshipwiththeMinistryofTransport&Communications,the
DirectorateGeneralforLandTransportandRailway,andotherrelatedgovernment
agencies.Inaddition,theConsultantwillberequiredtoconductaqualitativecomparison
withglobalbestpracticesandmakerecommendationstoalignOmanRailwithglobal
bestpractice.Besides,theconsultantwillberequiredtodevelopstrategicenablersthat
willsustainperformance,growthanddevelopmentofOmanRail.
UpdatedOn:July2,2013
Itisunderstoodthat12companieshadsubmittedbidsforacontractcoveringthe
preliminarydesigncontractonthisproject.Ashortlistofthreecompanieshasbeen
drawnup.ItalianconsultantItalferrhassubmittedthelowestbidof$32million,followed
byGermany'sDBInternationalwithabidof$43millionandlocalNationalEngineering
Officeat$59million.Itisexpectedthattheprequalificationprocessforvariousdesign
andbuildpackagesisexpectedtocommencelaterthisyear.
UpdatedOn:June19,2013
Clienthasissuedtenderfortheprojectmanagementconsultancycontract(PMC)onthis
scheme.BidscanbesubmitteduntilJuly29,2013.Adecisionregardingthepreliminary
designcontractisexpectedbemadeincomingmonths.Companiesinthevergetobe
getselectedforthepreliminarydesigncontractincludes:Sener,Consultrans,Italferr,
DohwanEngineering,SNCLavalin,AudingIntraesaandTecnicasReunidas.
UpdatedOn:May9,2013
Consultantshavesubmittedbidsforthepreliminarydesigncontractforthescheme.
Biddersinclude:UKsMottMacDonaldSpainsSenerItalysBonificaGermanysDB
InternationalUSParsonsInternationallocalYasConsultingEngineersLebanons
DaralHandasaJordansConsolidatedConsultantsEngineering&Environment
GermanysHoehler&PartnerSpainsInecoConsultransItalysItalferr&KEOlocal
AlManaraEngineeringConsultancyEgyptsEhafConsultingEngineersLebanons
Khatib&Alami&PartnersConsultingArchitects&EngineersFrancesADPISouth
KoreasSamanCorporation,DohwanEngineeringUAEs3TIArchitecture&
EngineeringConsultantsModernEngineeringConsultancyCanadasSNCLavalin
InternationalSpainsAudingIntraesa,TecnicasReunidas,IdomIndiasAarvee
AssociateslocalNationalEngineeringOfficeFrancesEgisRailandSystra,local
AsieEtudesEngineeringConsultantsTurkeysBotekACEandMoroccosCID.
UpdatedOn:April23,2013
Clienthasfurtherextendedthedeadlinetosubmitbidsforpreliminarydesignworks
contractuntilMay06,2013.Itisunderstoodthataround(34)localandinternationalfirms
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havepickedthebiddocuments.
UpdatedOn:April18,2013
ItisunderstoodthatpreliminarydesigncontractisexpectedtobeawardedinJune/July
2013.PMCcontractisexpectedtobeawardedbytheendof2013.OncePMCconsultant
isappointedprequalificationprocessfortheEPCcontractwillcommence.
UpdatedOn:March26,2013
Clienthasextendedthedeadlinetosubmitbidsforthepreliminarydesignworkscontract
untilApril22,2013.
UpdatedOn:March5,2013
Intermodalfreightyardsallowingfortheseamlessmovementofgoodsbetweenthe
country'sroad,railandmaritimetransportationsystemsareenvisionedatseveral
locationsalongthelengthofthisrailwaynetwork.Accordingtoprovisionalplansdrawn
upbytheclient,intermodalyardsareproposedtobeestablishedatninekeyjunctions
duringthefirstphaseofimplementation.MajorintermodalyardsareplannedatSohar,
Barka,AlMisfah,SunaynahandDuqm,whilemodestsizedyardsareproposedatAl
Buraimi,AlSuwaiqandSinaw.KhatmatMalahaonOman'sborderwithUAEisalso
proposedtohostamediumsizedintermodalyardprimarilytocaterforfreightcustoms
procedures,cargoholdups,andotherformalities.YardsplannedatSoharandDuqmwill
bedesignedkeepinginsightfreightvolumesandtypesofcargoeshandledbythe
industrialportsinoperationattherespectivelocations.Preliminarydesignpackageis
currentlyouttotenderfortheintermodalyards.Asmanyas(20)firms,mainly
international,arepreparingtobidforthisprestigiouscontract.Thedeadlinefor
submissionofbidsisMarch25,2013.
UpdatedOn:February12,2013
Atenderforthepreliminarydesignoftherailwaynetworkhasbeenfloated.Clienthas
invitedqualifiedconsultantstobid.Itisunderstoodthatthetenderprocessisnotlimited
tothefiveconsortiumsthatwereprequalifiedtobidforthenowshelveddesign
engineeringpackagefloatedbyauthoritiespriortoacomprehensivereviewoftherail
projectundertakenbytheclient.Ineffect,designconsultancyfirmsthatdidnottakepart
intheoriginaltenderprocesscanparticipatethistime.Similarly,atenderfortheProject
ManagementConsultancy(PMC)package,duetobefloatedwithinthenext2to3
months,isexpectedtobeopentofreshbids.
UpdatedOn:January14,2013
ItisunderstoodthatthetendersforPMCcontract,whichincludessitesupervisionis
expectedtobelaunchedinApril/May2013.Requestforproposalsforthepreliminary
designworkisexpectedtobeissuedbytheendofJanuary2013.
UpdatedOn:January6,2013
ClienthassetupaNationalRailwayCompanytooverseetheimplementationofthis
projectthatwillnowincludethesouthernregion.Thenewlyformedgovernmentowned
companywillundertakesupervision,planning,tendering,designandconstructionofthe
railway.Itwillalsoberesponsibleforsigningcontractswithrailwayoperatorsbesides
investingintransportofpassengersandgoods,andallrailwayrelatedactivities,andto
achievethebestrailtransportservicesofinternationalstandard.
UpdatedOn:December19,2012
Itisunderstoodthat(12)companieshavebeenshortlistedfortheprojectmanagement
consultancy(PMC)contractonthisscheme.Tendersareexpectedtobereleasedbythe
endofthefirstquarterof2013.
UpdatedOn:September16,2012
Itisunderstoodthata136kilometrelengthofrailwaylineconnectingSoharwithUAE
borderviaAlAinwillbegivenfirstpriorityduringimplementationphase.A27kilometre
spurlinetoBuraimiwillalsobethepartofthisprioritypackage.The58kilometreSohar
KhatmatMalahaline,whichconnectswiththeUAErailnetworkontheFujairahsidewill
beundertakenduringtheoverallphase1.Alsoenvisagedforimplementationinthis
phase,whichcoversatotaldistanceof1,061kilometre,whichinclude242kilometre
SoharMuscatline,486kilometreMuscatDuqmline,84kilometreSinawIbralink,
8kilometrespurfromSohartoSoharRailwayYardand20kilometrelinkfromMuscat
CentralStationtoAlMisfah(nearRusayl).UnderPhase2,railnetworkwillbeextended
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fromDuqmtoSalalah,withalinkbetweenThamraitandAlMazyounah,ontheborder
withYemeninPhase3.
UpdatedOn:September11,2012
Itisunderstoodthatclientisplanningtofloatshortlyafreshtenderfortheappointmentof
aconsultanttoundertakethepreliminarydesignofthe1,061kilometrerailnetwork.Two
othertendersoneforDetailedDesignandBuildandotheroneforProjectManagement
ConsultancyandSupervisionServiceswillalsofollowthis.Designpackagewillbere
tenderedinaccordancewiththedirectivesoftheTenderBoard.
UpdatedOn:September6,2012
Thenineinternationalcompaniesplanningtobidforacontracttodesignandconsulton
constructionofthisrailwayincludeaconsortiumcomprisingDenmark'sCOWI,DBIand
US'AECOMFrance'sSystraUSbasedParsonsUK'sMottMacDonaldaconsortium
comprisingItaly'sItalferrandAustralia'sWorleyParsonsaChinaRailwaycompany
France'sEgisRailthePointecGroupandaconsortiumofKoreaRailandHyundai
Group.
UpdatedOn:September4,2012
NineinternationalcompaniesorgroupsareplanningtobidbythedeadlineofOctober
05,2012foracontractthatcouldbeworthasmuchas$155milliontodesignandconsult
onconstructionofthisrailway.Namesofcompanieshavenotbeendisclosed.
UpdatedOn:August1,2012
ItisunderstoodthattheTenderBoardhasonceagainrequestedconsortiumstoextend
theirbidbondvalidityuntilOctober05,2012.
UpdatedOn:May29,2012
Aspecialistteamsetupbytheclienttodriveforwardplansforthedevelopmentofthis
schemehascompletedtheevaluationofbidsforthekeyDesignandSupervision
package.DiscussionsarecurrentlyunderwaybetweentheclientandtheTenderBoard
onthenextstepofawardingthecontract.AmuchdelayedtenderforthePMCpackageis
stillunderreview.
UpdatedOn:May6,2012
Internationalcompaniescompetingforakeenlyawaited,butmuchdelayedcontractfor
theDesignandSupervisionofthisprojecthavebeenaskedtoextendtheirbidbondsto
July05,2012.Anawardislikelyinthecomingmonths.Fiveconsortiumsarebiddingfor
thefouryearcontract.Lastmonth,theTenderBoardhadfaxedletterstothebidders'
representativesintheSultanatedirectingthemtoextendtheirbidbondsby90days,in
thelatestofaseriesofextensionsthathavecharacterisedthislongoverduecontract
award.Allfivebiddersareunderstoodtohavesincecomplied.Thesuccessfulbidderwill
berequiredtopreparethepreliminarydesignforallelementsoftherailwayproject.Upon
approvalofthepreliminarydesigns,theconsultantwillthenproceedwiththedetailed
designofthealignmentandinfrastructurebridges,culvertsandtunnelsrailwaystations
andyardsrailtrackandoverheadelectricalinfrastructure,amongotherelements.
Additionally,theconsultantwilldevelopspecificationsforrollingstockandothersystems.
ItisunderstoodthatthedelayinannouncementofanawardfortheDesignand
Supervisionpackageisaninevitableoutcomeoftheproject'stransferlastyearfromthe
SupremeCommitteeforTownPlanningtotheMinistryofTransport&
Communications.Asthemovedidnotincludeanyofthestaffwhohadhandledtherail
projectfromitsinception,theMinistrywascompelledtobuildadedicatedRailTeamfrom
scratch,thusresultinginanunavoidablelapseoftime.
UpdatedOn:February19,2012
ItisunderstoodthattheTenderBoardisstillinprocessofevaluatingbidsforthedesign
andsupervisioncontract.Atimeframefortheawardhasnotbeendisclosed.
UpdatedOn:December13,2011
Fivegroupshavesubmittedbidsforthedesigncontract.Itisunderstoodthata
consortiumofOmanbasedCowi&Partners,withUSbasedAecomandGermany'sDBI
isthelowestbidderat$116million,followedbyUK'sMottMacDonald&Companywith
abidof$166millionandthelocalofficeofFrance'sSystrawithabidof$195million.
Spain'sProintecGroupandaSouthKoreanjointventureofKoreaRailandHyundai
Engineeringhavesubmittedbidsof$203millionand$226millionrespectively.
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Evaluationofbidsiscurrentlyunderway.Thecontractalsocoverssupervisionof
construction.
UpdatedOn:November13,2011
Itisunderstoodthattheclienthasextendedthedeadlinetosubmitbidsforthedesign
contracttoDecember05,2011.Thecontractalsocoverssupervisionofconstruction.
UpdatedOn:October11,2011
AmuchawaitedtenderfortheselectionofaPMConthisschemeisduetobefloatedin
thecomingweeks.Accordingtotheclient,thiskeenlyanticipatedtenderisexpectedto
befloatedbeforetheendofthismonth.Thesuccessfulbidderstandstowinasevenyear
contractasProjectManagerofthemassiveventure,withthelikelihoodofamore
substantiveroleinfuturedevelopmentoftheproject.TheProjectManager'smainbrief
willbetosupervisetheprojectphasesandsystemaspectsnecessaryfortheplanning
andengineeringofthesystem,aswellasthedesign,constructionandcommissioningof
therailproject.Inaddition,theconsultantwilldrawupastrategyfortheoperationand
maintenanceoftherailsystem,eitherbydevelopinganorganisationtoundertakethis
responsibilityorthroughtheawardofaconcessionorcontract.Theconsultantwillbe
requiredtodrawonstateoftheartinternationaltechnologyforrollingstock,control
system,maintenanceworkshopsanddepots.Besides,theprocurementand
commissioningofallrollingstockandmachineryforthisprojectwillbeoverseenbythe
projectmanager.Amuchdelayedtenderforselectionofarailwaydesignconsultanthas
beenfloated,withall10prequalifiedcompanieslookingtobidforthisprestigious
contract.BidsareduetobesubmittedbyNovember07,2011.
UpdatedOn:September15,2011
TheSupremeCommitteeforTownPlanninghashandedoverresponsibilityfor
completionofthisprojecttotheMinistryofTransport&Communications.Tender
documentspertainingtotheProjectManagementConsultancy(PMC)havereachedthe
TenderBoardfromtheSupremeCommittee.Forthemoment,theministry'sLand
Transportdepartmentwillhandletherailportfolio.Thetransferofthisschemeisin
responsetoarecentdecisionbytheCouncilofMinisters,wholookedtorestorethe
SupremeCommitteeforTownPlanning'soriginalpurposeastheGulfnation'scentral
planningbody.
UpdatedOn:September11,2011
RequestforProposals(RFPs)fortheselectionofdesignandprojectmanagement
consultantsarelikelytobefloatedshortly.
UpdatedOn:July6,2011
Itisunderstoodthattheclienthasindefinitelydelayedtheprequalificationofcompanies
fortwocontractsonthisschemeduetopoliticaluncertainties.Onecontractcoversthe
designandthesecondisfortheprojectmanagementconsultancycontract.Itisalso
expectedthattheownershipofthisprojectmightbetransferredtotheMinistryof
TransportfromtheSupremeCommitteeforTownPlanning,whichisthoughttolackthe
necessaryexperience.
UpdatedOn:February12,2011
Clienthasprequalifiedabout10firmstobidforthetwomajorconsultancycontractson
thisscheme.Thetwocontractsincludedesignandsupervisioncontract,andtheproject
managementconsultancycontract.
UpdatedOn:November28,2010
Clientisexpectedtocompleteprequalifyingcompaniesforthefirsttwocontractsonthis
schemeinearly2011.Thesetwocontractsincludethedesignandsupervisionservices
contractandtheprojectmanagementconsultancy(PMC)contract.About32companies
havesubmittedprequalificationdocumentsforthedesignandsupervisionservices
contract,whileabout33firmssubmittedprequalificationdocumentsforthePMC
contract.
UpdatedOn:October26,2010
Itisunderstoodthatprequalificationdocumentsarecurrentlyunderevaluationforthe
PMCanddesignconsultancycontracts.Ashortlistofbiddersisexpectedtobe
announcedinNovember2010.Invitationtobid(ITB)forthePMCanddesigncontractsis
expectedtobeissuedinfirstquarterof2011.Theengineeringstudyisexpectedtobe
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completedinfourthquarterof2011,whiledesignisexpectedtobecompletedinthe
secondhalfof2012.Constructionoftherailwayisanticipatedtocommencein2013.
UpdatedOn:June27,2010
Oman'sTenderBoardhasrecentlyopenedbidsforthisprojectand32international
companiesfromBritain,Russia,France,Germany,Malaysia,USAandChinahavebidfor
theprequalificationstage.Thecomponentsofthisrailwayschemewillbeunderstudy
andreassessedatthecompletionofthedetailedengineeringdesigns.
UpdatedOn:June16,2010
PrequalificationdocumentshavebeensubmittedonJune14,2010fortheproject
managementconsultancy(PMC)contractonthisscheme(delayedfromMay31,2010).
UpdatedOn:May9,2010
Nearly100localandinternationalcompanieshavecollectedprequalificationdocuments
bythedeadlineofMay05,2010setbytheTenderBoardforpurchaseofthese
documents.Leadingtransportspecialistsandnationalrailorganisationsareamongthe
hugelineupofcompanieseyeingtheprestigiousmaidenrailcontracts.Thelistincludes
Bechtel,SNCLavalin,Systra,WorleyParsons,ParsonsBrinckerhoff,Cowi&
Partners,EGISRail,SNCF,Getinsa,ITALFERR,KoreaRail,SALCEF,FSDIChina
Railway,INECO,EurofinsaandHyundai.Allfourphasesofthisprojectmaybeassigned
tooneormoreprequalifiedbidders.TheselectedDesign&SupervisionConsultantwill
establishthesystemparameters,andoperatingplananddesignstandards,aswellas
preparethepreliminarydesignforalltheelementsoftherailwayscheme.Uponthe
client'sapproval,theconsultantwillthenproceedwiththedetaileddesignofalignment
andinfrastructure,bridges,culvertsandtunnels,railwaystationsandyards,railtrack,and
overheadelectricalinfrastructure,amongotherelements.Additionally,theconsultantwill
developspecificationsforrollingstockandothersystems.Theselectedproject
managementconsultant,ontheotherhand,willsupervisetheprojectphasesandsystem
aspectsnecessaryfortheplanningandengineeringofthesystem,aswellasthedesign,
constructionandcommissioningoftherailproject.Theconsultantwillberequiredto
drawonstateoftheartinternationaltechnologyforrollingstock,controlsystem,
maintenanceworkshopsanddepots.

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, with
speedsofupto350kilometresperhour(kph)inthefuture.Initially,however,passenger
trainswillbeoperatedatspeedsof200kph,whilefreighttrainswillrunatspeedsranging
from 80 to 120 kph. The trains will run on electrical power, supplied through overhead
electricalinfrastructurethatwillbebuiltalongthelengthofthenetwork.Theschemewill
beimplementedinfourphases.Thefirstphasewillcomprisea242kilometrelinethatruns
fromSohartoMuscat,withcommuterstationsplannedatSoharPort,Saham,Daqal,Al
Khabourah, Al Hur, Al Hazm, Al Abyath and Al Misfah. Intercity Stations will also be
establishedinSoharCity,BarkaandMuscat. In Phase 2, the network will extend 486
kilometres from Muscat to the Port of Duqm, currently under construction of the Wusta
coast.CommuterstationsonthisstretchareproposedatBidBid,Samayil,Izki,Ibri,Sinaw
and Mahawt, while an intercity station will be built at Duqm. Phase 3 of the proposed
projectenvisagesa166kilometrelinefromSohartoAlAinontheUAEsideoftheborder.
Commuter stations are planned at Wadi Jizzi and Sunayna, with an intercity station
envisagedatBuraimi.Finally,inPhase4,theBatinahlinewillbeextended58kilometres
fromSohartotheUAEborderatKhatmatMalahaanda646kilometrelinefromDuqmto
Salalah.Alongthisstretch,thecommuterstationsareplannedatLiwa, Shinas, Al Aqar
and Khatmat Malaha. The Batinah line will share a common corridor with the Batinah
Expressway.ClienthasinvitedconsultantstosubmitprequalificationdocumentsbyMay
30, 2010 for the design contract on this scheme. France's Systra and local National
EngineeringOfficehavecarriedoutafeasibilitystudyfortheproject.

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