Water management commission kicks off bidding

The names of the winning bidders will be announced next January 31.

 

Companies with strong construction and design experience that propose reasonable budgets, timing and technology for the projects will be prioritised in the selection process.

 

All documents and contracts for proposals must be in Thai, while money transactions will be made in baht for the winning bidders, said Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, who chairs the government-appointed commission tasked with water and flood management.

 

He was speaking at a meeting of bidders held yesterday at the National Science and Technology Development Agency in Pathum Thani.

 

Plodprasob, his secretary Supot Towijakchaikul, and secretary of the Council of State Atchaporn Jarujinda sat on the panel and spent 45 minutes explaining the terms of reference (ToR) under Thai law for the projects as well as the guidelines for bidders’ submission of plans. Present were 942 representatives from 398 companies, embassies and state agencies. Of this number about 37 companies were foreign and 303 local.

 

Plodprasob said the Cabinet yesterday appointed the selection commission of 17 high-level officials and a permanent secretary. The commission will be chaired by Plodprasob.

 

“The selection process will be conducted with transparency and fairness for everyone,” he said.

“No one is on my mind,” he insisted.

 

To ensure transparency and make sure the water and flood management projects were accomplished, Plodprasob said the commission had set up another two companies, covering design and building work, to oversee construction. 

 

The commission has also invited bids from private companies with experience in construction mega-projects.

 

Plodprasob suggested that foreign companies should join with local companies to propose designs for the bidding process.

 

“Bidders might increase their chance of being selected if they offer an additional proposal for nationwide water and flood management, including the construction of trans-basin diversion and sea barriers,” he said.

 

However, no money has been spent by any companies at this moment, he insisted.

 

The bidding process will last 180 days. Companies have 30 days to submit their designs and bids, after which the commission will take 30 days to compile a shortlist. Ninety days will then be spent drafting designs, before the commission’s 30-day selection process to decide the winning bidders.