Loan No. 2165: Power Transmission and Distribution Project

Date: 13 May 2005
Grant 0004-AFG(SF)/Loan No. 2165-AFG(SF): Power Transmission and Distribution Project
Contract No.: MEW-337, Supply, Delivery and Installation Contract for Lots 1 and 2
Deadline for Bid Submission: 10:00 am, 30 August 2005

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received a loan and a grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) towards the cost of the Power Transmission and Distribution Project. Part of the loan and grant will be used for payments under the contract named above. Bidding is open to bidders from eligible source countries of the ADB.

The Afghanistan Reconstruction and Development Services Procurement Unit (ARDS-PU), acting on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ("the Employer") now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the design-build and turnkey contract (involving detailed design, supply, construction, erection, installation, testing and commissioning) for the Project. Details and specifications are provided in the Bidding Document.

The bid is divided into the following separate lots; bidders may bid on one or more lots. Discount for multiple contract awards will be accepted:

Lot 1: Northern Zone Transmission, Substations and Distribution

Construction of new 110 kV single circuit transmission lines from Shekanbandar to Imam Sahib (approximately 20 km); Construction of a new 110 k\/ switching station at Shekanbandar, new 110/20 kV substations at Imam Sahib and Sarepul, and a new 220/20 kV substation at Taluqan; Construction of new 20 kV overhead line distribution systems (including MV and LV lines, distribution substations, service connection and metering) at Imam Sahib, Taluqan, Khan Abad and Sarepul.

Lot 2: Eastern Zone Transmission, Substations & Distribution

Construction of new 110 kV single circuit transmission lines from Naglu to Jalalabad, and from Jalalabad to Mehtarlam. Both lines follow the same route between Jalalabad and junction to Mehtarlam and shall be run as double circuit over that section (single circuit approximately 73 km, double circuit approximately 17 km); Construction of new 110/20 kV substations at Jalalabad and Mehtarlam; Construction of new 20 kV overhead line distribution systems (including MV and LV lines, distribution substations, service connection and metering) at Qarghayi, Sarobi, Jalalabad, and Mehtarlam.

International competitive bidding will be conducted in accordance with ADB's Two-Stage: Two-Envelope bidding procedure and is open to all Bidders from eligible source countries of the ADB.

Bidders should meet the following qualifications:

  1. Average Annual Turnover

    Over the last three years of at least US$10 million per annum.

  2. Financial Capability

    (i)    Cash flow capacity of at least US$3 million.
    (ii)    Positive net worth not be less than US$3 million.

  3. Litigation

    Claims, arbitration or other litigation proceedings pending or already resolved, the value of all should not exceed 50 percent of the Bidder's net worth

  4. Project Experience

    1. Within the last four years at least one turnkey transmission line project of at least 50 circuit-kilometers of 220 kV or higher and at least one turnkey substation project with a rating of 220 kV or higher. These projects must have been in satisfactory operation for at least two years.
    2. In case of joint venture, the lead partner shall have 220 kV experience as per (1); the other partners shall have completed within the last four years at least one turnkey transmission line project of at least 50 circuit-kilometres of 110 kV or higher, and at least one turnkey substation project of 33 kV or higher. These projects must have been in satisfactory operation for at least two years.
    3. To substantiate the above, the Bidder shall submit duly authenticated user's certificates and other relevant documents, otherwise, the bid will be rejected.

  5. Manufacturing Experience (applicable for each lot)

    1. As a main supplier of the transmission line or substation equipment a minimum quantity comparable to the requirement of the projects.
    2. ISO 9000 accreditation.
    3. In case the Bidder is not a manufacturer, but instead only a duly authorized representative of the manufacturer, the experience requirements as provided in sub-para.(d), Project Experience, and sub-para.(e) Manufacturing Experience must be complied with by the manufacturer being duly represented. Otherwise, the bid will be rejected.
    4. Bidders shall submit duly authenticated user's certificates and other relevant documents, otherwise the bid will be rejected.

To obtain further information and inspect the bidding documents, bidders should contact the address below from 9:00-15:00 hours on Saturdays to Thursdays:

Afghanistan Reconstruction and Development Services Procurement Unit (ARDS-PU)
5th Floor
Ministry of Economy Building
Malik Asghar Square
Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel: +93-20-210 3606
E-mail: procurement@afghanistangov.org

An electronic version of the bidding documents will be available by application to the ARDS PU email address stated above.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at the address below at 10:00 hours on 30 June 2005:

MEW Conference Room
Ministry of Energy and Water
Darulaman, Kabul, Afghanistan
Contact person: Eng. Ghulam Rabbani, Director General Planning
Tel: +93-70-296 280
E-mail: planning_dep@aewp.org

Bidders should deliver their bids:

  • to ARDS PU at the address above
  • on or before the deadline: 10:00 hours on 30 August 2005
  • together with a Bid Security of US$200,000 or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency.

Technical bids will be opened immediately after the deadline in the presence of bidders' representatives who choose to attend at 10:00 hours on 30 August 2005 at the above address.

Financial bids will be opened in the presence of the qualified bidders' representatives who choose to attend on a date, time and address to be advised following evaluation of the Technical Proposals.

Specific Notice