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MRT-7 Consulting Deal Rebid Amid Project Delays
The Philippines' Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced a rebid for the engineering and consultancy contract for the MRT-7 project after the initial auction failed. While the MRT-7 is slated to open next year, this delay raises concerns about potential impacts on the project timeline.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is set to rebid the P563.32-million engineering and consultancy and inspection contract for the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project. Bidders can submit proposals until Sept. 25, the DoTr said in a request for expression of interest issued on Thursday. The DoTr declared a failed bid on Sept. 7 after it auctioned the contract the first time. The bid rules assign an 85% weighting on the technical proposal, with the financial offer counting for 15%. The contract must be completed within 30 months. The DoTr has said that the completion of MRT-7 is on track, with the operations expected by next year for a 12-station segment out of 14-stations overall. MRT-7 is expected to carry 300,000 passengers daily in its first year, rising to 850,000 passengers by its 12th year. The project is run by the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) through SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc., with the company financing the construction and due to operate the 23-kilometer commuter rail line under a 25-year concession agreement. The project also includes a road component of a 22-kilometer link between the Bocaue interchange of the North Luzon Expressway and an intermodal terminal in Tala, Caloocan City. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
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