By ashleykaren
Infrastructure Malta has selected a bidder out of four who submitted an offer to construct a tunnel across Malta and Gozo. The Malta-Gozo tunnel project comprises the development of a 14-km, partly subsea, tunnel accommodating two vehicle lanes, one in each direction and a wide central buffer offering extra space for emergency vehicles.
The only bidder to make it past the first hurdle is a consortium made up of five companies: the Japanese company Itochu, UK’s Equitix, Turkish companies Yapi Merkezi and Makyol, and French company Egis. Rival bidders Malta-Gozo Fixed Link Limited, Salini Impregilo SpA, and CGYI Malta-Gozo consortium have all been eliminated by Infrastructure Malta’s tendering committee. The appeal period for the decision closes on 20/09/21.
This is only the first of a three-stage process, and the announcement is a recommendation, not a decision. The successful bidder or bidders of the PQQ stage will qualify for the second stage, which contains an Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD). During the ITPD stage, the shortlisted consortium is going to be asked to submit detailed technical plans of the proposed tunnel structure plus the implementation, operation, and maintenance solutions they would adopt if entrusted with the concession.
It is said that the government will not fund the project, with all construction and maintenance costs covered by the winning bidder.
Following the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue stage, the selection process will be done with the Best and Final Offer (BAFO) stage. For more information, please click here and visit here.
