Railway Route 10 Rehabilitation: Detailed Design and Tender Documents for southern part of the Railway Route 10 (Fushe Kosove – Hani i Elezit)

Detailed Design & Tender Documents for southern part of the Railway Route 10 (Fushe Kosove – Hani i Elezit)

Assignment Description: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD or the Bank) is considering extending a loan to the Government of Kosovo to rehabilitate Kosovo’s north-south railway line from the Serbian border near Leshak station  to the border with FYR Macedonia at the Hani i Elezit station (the Project). The Project will be implemented in three phases and consists of the rehabilitation and upgrading of the following sections:

- Fushe Kosove – FYR Macedonia border (Phase 1);

- Fushe Kosove – Mitrovice (Phase 2); and

- Mitrovice - Serbian border (Phase 3).

The Government of Kosovo has engaged in a wide-ranging rail reform programme to bring the sector into compliance with EU directives. A comprehensive railway sector reform and reorganisation was initiated at the end of 2005. The public railway company was converted into a joint stock company (Kosovo Railways JSC) and operated as an integrated railway until 2011. In 2011, the company was split into an infrastructure company (the Client or the Company or INFRAKOS) and a train operating company (TRAINKOS) and these have operated as separate companies since end-August 2011. A track access regime has been developed and is in operation, currently between the INFRAKOS and TRAINKOS. These charges are set by INFRAKOS, supervised by the rail regulator and approved by the Government of Kosovo. 

The Project is of strategic importance, being part of Route 10 of the SEETO (South-East Europe Transport Observatory) core railway network as well as being included in the 2012 Multi-Modal Transport Strategy for Kosovo.

This line is also among the priority projects included in the following strategic documents:

- Kosovo Economic Vision Action Plan 2011 – 2014;

- Sectoral Strategy of Ministry of Infrastructure 2012 – 2017;

- Mid Term Expenditure Framework 2012 – 2014.

Rail Route 10 has a total length of 252 km and connects Kraljevo (SRB) - Fushe Kosove (KOS) - Goce Petrov (the FYR of Macedonia). The Kosovan Government has produced a National Development Multi Modal Transport Strategy, which includes Rail Route 10. One hundred and forty eight km of Route 10 is located within Kosovo territory, providing a north-south connection between Leshak-Hani i Elezit. The total length of the southern section of the line (Fushe Kosove – Hani i Elezit) is 64km, of which 40km is on flat terrain, and 24km in mountain area.

Rail Route 10 sustained significant damage during the period 1990-1999, some of which has been partially repaired. The level of regular maintenance over the same that period was reduced to a minimum resulting in the current sub-standard condition of the line. Maximum speeds have been reduced to 60-70km/h and in some specific cases the maximum speed is as low as 20km/h due to safety reasons (sections with tunnels for instance).

The Company is now looking to engage an internationally qualified consultant (the Consultant) to prepare the technical documentation required for the rehabilitation and partial upgrade of the infrastructure components of the southern section of Rail Route 10 (Phase I of the Project) so as to achieve the original design speeds along the 64km section between Fushe Kosove and Hani i Elezit (the Assignment).

The Consultant shall :

- Technical documentation – Prepare the Detailed Design and Tender Documents for the reconstruction and electrification, of the single track line. This shall be prepared in accordance with European Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI), AGC, AGTC and the SEECP Agreement.

- Support INFRAKOS in the preparation of the tender documents for the project; Tender documentation is to be developed in accordance with IFI requirements and Red Book FIDIC conditions of contract for public procurement process.

- Environmental and Social requirements-  Take into account environmental and social issues identified during the Bank’s Environmental and Social due diligence and ensure the project is developed in accordance with the EBRD Environmental and Social Performance Requirements.

Among the above objectives the Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:

Task 1: Topographical surveys

Task 2: Geological and geotechnical investigations

Task 3: Track alignment design

Task 4: Design of structures

Task 5: Design of signalling and telecommunication systems

Task 6: Design of electrification system.

Task 7: Tender Documents Preparation

Task 8: Take account of the EBRD Environmental and Social Performance Requirements (PRs) in the design and tender documentation preparation.

Status of Selection Process: Interested firms or group of firms are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest.

Assignment Start Date and Duration: The Assignment is expected to start in Q4 2014 and has an estimated overall duration of 18 months.

Maximum Budget available for the Assignment: EUR 1,840,000 (exclusive of VAT).

The Consultant must determine whether any indirect taxes/VAT are chargeable on the proposed services and state the basis for such. If any indirect taxes/VAT are payable, the Client will have to pay indirect taxes/VAT element to the services directly to the Consultant unless otherwise agreed.

Funding Source: European Western Balkans Joint Fund

Eligibility: There are no eligibility restrictions.

Consultant Profile: Corporate services are required. The Consultant shall be an engineering firm with international experience in engineering projects of similar nature in the railway sector financed by IFIs and preferably in the EBRD’s countries of operation. Specific experience in preparation of detailed design of railways and preparation of Tender Documents in accordance with IFI’s PP&R would be considered an advantage.

The Consultant should ensure that appropriately qualified experts are available, as required, for each of the different tasks outlined above. It is expected that the assignment will be led by a qualified project manager with international experience in the infrastructural sector and in implementing the key areas of this assignment, accompanied by both key and supporting experts.

The Consultant Team should comprise at least the following expertise, and some individuals may fulfil more than one role:

- Project Manager: Expert in Transport

- Lead Engineer in Civil Engineering: Expert in Railway Civil Engineering

- Lead Engineer in Signalling: Expert in Railway Signalling

- Chief Civil Engineering Designer: Expert in Railway Civil Engineering Design

- Chief Signalling Designer: Expert in Railway Signalling Design

- Lead Electrification Engineer : Expert in Railway Electrification Procurement Specialist: Expert in IFI( EBRD/WB/EIB) procurement procedures

- Quantity Surveyor

Submission Requirements: In order to determine the capability and experience of Consultants to be shortlisted, the information submitted should include the following:

(a) brief overview of the firm/group of firms including company profile, organisation and staffing;

(b) details of similar experience of firm or group of firms and related assignments undertaken in the previous five years, including information on contract value, contracting entity/client, project location/country, duration (mm/yy to mm/yy), expert months provided, assignment budget, percentage carried out by consultant in case of association of firms or subcontracting, main activities, objectives;

(c) CVs of key experts who could carry out the Assignment detailing qualifications, experience in similar assignments, particularly assignments undertaken in the previous five years, including information on contracting entity/client, project location/country, duration (mm/yy to mm/yy), expert months provided, assignment budget, main activities, objectives.

(d) Completed Consultant Declaration and Contact Sheet, the template for which is available from the following web-link:

http://www.ebrd.com/pages/workingwithus/procurement/notices/csu/contact_sheet.doc

The expression of interest shall not exceed 25 pages (excluding CVs and contact sheet).

One original and 1 copy of the expression of interest, in English shall be submitted to the Client in an envelope marked EXPRESSION OF INTEREST for Railway Route 10 Rehabilitation: Detailed Design and Tender Documents for southern part of the Railway Route 10 (Fushe Kosove – Hani i Elezit) - 43299, to reach Client not later than deadline mentioned above .

One further electronic should be submitted to the EBRD’s contact person by the same due date.

Important Notes:

Following this invitation for expressions of interest, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Consultant selection and contracting will be subject to availability of funding.

CONTACTS

Executing Agency (Client):

Infrastruktura e Hekurudhave te Kosoves (InfraKos)

Address: Fushe Kosove, Sheshi i Lirise p.n
E-mail: info@infrakos.com

Phone: +381 38 550 550 500

Fax: +381 38 550 550 500

The Client Contact Person:

Mr Agron Thaçi - CEO

The EBRD Contact Person:

Nicola Di Pietro

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

One Exchange Square

London EC2A 2JN

Tel: + 44 20 7338 6329

Fax: +44 20 7338 7451

E-mail: PietroN@ebrd.com