Calls for ECRL civil work tenders to commence in Q4

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — The calls for tenders of the civil work packages of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will commence in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2019, said Malaysia Rail Link (MRL).

Its chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said a total of 331 Malaysian construction companies had been shortlisted as potential tenderers following the recent Pre-Qualification (Pre-Q) exercise.

“The tender packages to be issued for the 40 per cent civil works (excluding tunnel works) would first involve the 223 kilometres stretch from Dungun to Mentakab where the rail alignment had been finalised,” he said in a statement today.

He added that further tenders would be called once both the re-alignment from Kota Bharu to Dungun as well as new southern alignment between Mentakab and Port Klang had been firmed up.

“The project that is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 also hinges on the effective participation of local contractors in ECRL’s civil works which include earthworks, the foundation works, structural works, soil improvement works and road works,” he said.

Darwis also said that the Pre-Q evaluation committee, comprising representatives from MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), had shortlisted 331 or 25.1 per cent of 1,321 Malaysian construction companies, following a detailed evaluation of each entity’s track record, financial capabilities, technical personnel and plant, and equipment.

Of the 331 construction companies that qualified as potential tenderers, the CIDB G7 category made up the largest number with 164 entities followed by CIDB G4 with 69 entities.

The remaining came from CIDB G3 with 45 entities while G5 and G6 categories made up 33 entities and 20 entities respectively.

“The Pre-Q evaluation committee has also identified 234 or 70.7 per cent of the 331 construction companies that are shortlisted to be Bumiputera companies,” he said.

He added that shortlisted companies were expected to be notified in writing before end-August 2019 by CCCC, the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning contractor for the 640-km ECRL project.

MRL also said before the suspension of the ECRL project, CCCC had appointed local companies comprising suppliers, contractors, and consultants for preliminary works on the ECRL.

“With the resumption of the ECRL project, CCCC will honour the respective contracts and enable the local companies concerned to resume work,” he added.

The 640-km ECRL rail network is scheduled for completion by December 2026 and expected to link Kota Bharu to Putrajaya in approximately four hours, with a reduced cost of RM44 billion. — Bernama