Call for expressions of interest for consulting services feasbility study for two highways in Montenegro

Government of the Republic of Montenegro
Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications


CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTING SERVICES


FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR TWO HIGHWAYS IN MONTENEGRO


Background
Montenegros road infrastructure extends for 6,848 km, out of which 884 km are primary roads and 964km are secondary roads. The total network also contains 312 bridges, 136 tunnels, and about 5000 km of local roads. There are currently around 100,000 registered vehicles in Montenegro out of which 89 percent are private passenger vehicles. The physical characteristics of most of the state roads (steep slopes, absence of shoulders, tight curves, low radii, relatively high pavement degradation) results in an average speed of less than 50 kilometers per hour, results in higher costs for road users, reducing Montenegros comparative advantage against other transit corridors, and inhibits economic development.
The Transport directorate (TD) as a line authority of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications (MoTMAT), is the body in charge of managing, maintaining, and building state roads (highways, primary and secondary roads). As the Implementing Agency in the Highway Sector, the TD, under the MoTMAT, now wishes to procure consultants to undertake a feasibility study on the two highways across Montenegro. The specific links to be included in the study are respectively, the Bar-Boljare (border with Republic of Serbia) highway route, length approximately 170 km and the Adriatic-Ionian highway route, length approximately 110 km. The highway route Bar-Boljare is mainly marked as route Numbers 4 in the Regional Balkans Transport Infrastructure Study , and is an integral part of the Regional Core Transport Network for South East Europe, linking the road network in Montenegro to neighboring countries. Current traffic on the existing line between Bar and border with Republic of Serbia is approximately 4,000 vehicles per day (AADT), but with a strong seasonal peak of 13,000 vehicles per day (AADT). The other route, Adriatic-Ionian highway will represent a new alignment.

The specific objectives of the assignment:
The primary objective of the assignment is to undertake a feasibility study to identify the optimal technical, environmental, economic, financial solution to the upgrading of the two corridors; based on a robust analysis of all possible alternatives (alternatives in alignments, in selection of standards etc.) and comparison.
The following represent the secondary objectives for the assignment:
to prepare robust traffic forecasts for a number of different scenarios (optimistic, medial and pessimistic) for a defined appraisal period ;
to provide reliable cost estimates of the proposed solution, estimating quantities and determining unit prices from recently completed projects in similar conditions;
to determine the optimal implementation of the possible phases of the project;
to determine the economic and financial viability of the proposed investments, reporting the economic criteria;
to undertake appropriate formal risk and sensitivity analysis of the proposed investments:
to undertake an environmental scoping study for the two corridors;
to provide an indication as to the potential contribution of the private and public sectors in each scenario; and
to review and comment on the PPP legislation currently in force.

The profile of the applicant:

The TD seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified firms with demonstrable experience in the following areas:

Considerable experience in highway engineering and feasibility studies in the highway sector;
Expertise and considerable experience in the highway sector in South East Europe;
and
Substantive experience in reviewing and drafting the relevant legal documents.

Interested consultants are requested to provide appropriate information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.) in a submission of not more than 10 pages in total. Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.


A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Banks Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004 edition). This study is being funded by the Government of the Republic of Montenegro, so there are no restrictions on the nationality of prospective applicants. It is envisaged that the work would begin in May 2007, with the intention that all activities under this project being completed by the end of October 2007.


Interested consultants who require further information may contact:

ANGELINA ZIVKOVIC
The Government of the Republic of Montenegro
Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications
RIMSKI TRG 46 "Vektra Building", 81000, PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO
Tel:+381 81 234 062
+381 81 482 189
E-mail: angelinaz@mn.yu


Expressions of interest in English must be sent electronically to the following e-mail address: angelinaz@mn.yu, by the close of business, 16:00 h (GMT+1) on the 27th/February/2007.