15 firms line up for MSC work

Fifteen firms from 12 countries have shown interest in the management support consultancy (MSC) work of the Padma Bridge project. It is the final part of the tender for assisting the project office in taking different decisions during implementation of the mega project.
The companies showed their interest after Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) called fresh expression of interest (EOI), inviting the international firms for the MSC work on December 22. The EOI closed on February 17. BBA called the first EOI on August 10.
Officials said as the earlier EOI respondents could not prove their ability to carry out the work of the much-talked-about Padma Bridge project, the decision to call a fresh EOI was taken.
"We were not happy with the companies that showed interest in the first EOI. So we had to call a fresh EOI, giving importance to the companies having previous experience of either completing mega projects or carrying out projects that are almost nearing completion," said project director M Shafiqul Alam.
He said the management consultants have to qualify for work of contractors and construction supervision consultant (CSC) as well as for environment and resettlement work during implementation of the project.
BBA has already started evaluation of the companies with the target of awarding the work by June or July, he added.
The international firms that showed interest in MSC work are -three from India, and one each from Australia,
China, Malaysia, Spain, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Bangladesh.
The three Indian companies are - Dorsch Consultant India Private Ltd and Associates, Systra SA and Associates, and Hill International Project Management Private Ltd and Associates.
Other participating firms are - DOHWA Engineering Company Ltd and Associates of Korea, Third Railway Survey and Design Institute and Associates of China, Johnstaff Pty Ltd and Real Serous Games Pty Ltd of Australia, Minconsultant SDN BHD and Associates of Malaysia, Eptisa Servicios de Ingenieria SL and Associates of Spain, High Point Rendel and Associates of UK, Design Consulting Engineers and Associates of the US, JV Royal Haskoning DHV Netherland BV and Associates of the Netherlands,  e-Gen Consultants Ltd and Associates of Bangladesh, Nippon Koei CO Ltd and Associates of Japan, Angel Lazaro and Associates International and Associates of the Philippines, and Meinhardt Singapore PTE Ltd and Associates of Singapore.
The PD said MSC service is necessary for the mega projects like Padma Bridge, considering the extent of work. The Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Project also had MSC service.
When asked why the procedure to get the service was taken so late, he told the FE that it is not needed from the day-one like CSC.
He explained it saying that the management consultant would support the PD particularly when the contractors would raise various claims, like - facing loss from different aspects.
    [email protected]