OLMT invites bids for operation and maintenance contractors

LAHORE: As the country’s first metro train reaches near completion, the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has invited bids for operation and maintenance (O&M) of services, The Express Tribune learnt on Monday.

Official documents show that the authority had conducted a pre-bid meeting with prospective bidders for the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project during the last month. The meetings were held with PMA Operations General Manager Ozair Shah in the chair.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), SINACO, LMKT, Daewoo Pakistan Express Service, Equinor, Platform Turizm, Crimson Engineering, Pak German Engineers and First Bus.

Bidding documents indicate that the authority intends to award O&M contract for 11 years, which is extendable on mutual consent. The authority has set stringent criteria for both international and local companies. This includes a minimum of six years in business with valid tax registrations and tax returns for a minimum of three years. Any successful bidder should have a minimum of three years’ experience in operations of three metro lines of any type. Train operations must be conducted through centralised dispatching and supervision of the Command and Control Centre, under the main line signaling system, which consists of an automatic train control system (ATC).

In addition, the bidder must have three years’ maintenance experience in terms of rolling stock and entire track. Other required experience is five years in high voltage substations (HVSS) and traction supply, two years in power SCADA and low voltage power supply and illuminations and five years of experience in the ATC-based train signaling system.

The authority is also seeking bidders with two years of experience in radio-based communication systems, public wireless systems, fiber optic systems, fire alarm systems, building automation systems, clock systems, passenger information and public address system, CCTV Surveillance, visual control panels for train operations, access control system, telephone systems and audio video recording systems.

The bidders must also have two years of experience in firefighting systems, HVAC System, escalators, elevators, platform screen doors/automatic passenger gates, water supply, sanitation and sewerage.

Documents highlight that joint ventures (JV) are also eligible to participate as long as the JV complies with the tender terms. It shows that the O&M of the OLMT broadly encompasses all electrical and mechanical (E&M) works, including allied/interface works procured and commissioned under the main commercial/EPC contract i.e. all hardware, all software and allied systems implemented by CR-NORINCO under their own scope of work.

The system hardware and associated software are further categorised under several key systems. These include elevators, escalators, platform screen doors (PSD) and automated platform gates (APG), railway track, automated fare collection (AFC) system, rolling stock, signaling, power supply, telecom/communication, HVAC, firefighting and extinguishers.

The PMA intends to handover the civil and E&M works (except AFC equipment) onwards to the service provider under the pretext of Initial System Assets (ISA). The ISA shall, henceforth, become the responsibility of the service provider for the O&M period. The authority intends to make comprehensive O&M related procurements, according to groups and service categories.

Except for the AFC system, the contractor will be responsible to operate and maintain the entire system, including all system components and peripherals, reliably and securely at all times, during the service hours/scheduled operating hours in the O&M.

They will be responsible for these services seven days a week and 365 days a year for all stations, depot and stabling yards. The contractors must also carry out housekeeping and janitorial services at all stations except passenger areas, depot and stabling yard. They will have to promptly analyse faults/defects to establish if they fall under the category of defect liability.

Official bidding documents made available to The Express Tribune show that the authority believes that both parties agree and recognise that operating of the OLMT project is a large and complex undertaking, involving a number of work tasks to be executed prior to the commencement.

The O&M contractor, during such period prior to the commencement date, must carry out detailed steps to set up an organisational structure as well as recruit and train human resources. The contractors will also have to prepare complex standard operating procedures for the system and employees, apart from creating management, safety, operation/maintenance rules and management plans.

The contractor will be responsible for conduct several simulations and physical mock exercises/operation rehearsals, checks/rechecks and make arrangement for the continuous supply of materials for operation. They will have to set up back office facilities and carry out other such tasks under the work plans, which are necessary and part of the internal works of the contractor. The authority agrees and recognises that in order to achieve operational readiness, the contractor must mobilise and be given sufficient time to execute all the work tasks required, as mentioned in tender documents, prior to the commencement date.

Most development works on the OLMT project have already been completed as contractors working on the project indicated that the project will enter the testing and commissioning phase by end-April. It is most likely that commercial operations will start by July 30.