Tender : Pre qualification of Bahrain Metro Phase One

Tender No.: MTT/PQ/LTD/01/2021

Bidders Clarifications Responses - Batch 2 (13th January 2022)

SN Clarification Response
1 For (8.8.7 Transportation Services, 8.8.8 MER7, 8.8.9 MER8) "MER7 only A flexibility of GoA2 and GoA4 could be considered to help qualification
refers to metro lines operated under GoA4 or GoA 2 operation mode, but MER8 of bidders for both MERs 7 & 8
does not mention such condition. As an Operator and Maintainer, it is our
understanding that the GoA4 reference is more relevant to Operations rather than
Maintenance. Indeed, there are considerable differences between GoA2 and
GoA4 operations, but no real differences when it comes to Maintenance, as
activities will be relatively similar. Consequently, would you please reconsider
your position and make the following changes:
a. In MER7, kindly allow references to projects operated under GoA2 operation
mode, in addition to GoA4 operation mode
b. In MER8, confirm that references must be related to projects operated under
GoA4 operation mode only"
2 For (8.8.8.2 MER7) "Items i. to iv. all refer to metro lines, and seem to be highly Section 8.8.8.2 has been amended as follows
demanding with regards to current Transit Systems operated worldwide. For
example, there are very few GoA4 metro lines under operation having 2 depots To meet MER 7, the Applicant must have experience in the Maintenance
on the same line. In order to allow more competitors to bid, it would make sense of Transit Systems which is to be demonstrated by providing references
to reconsider the criteria defined in MER7, and allow either : with the following features:
1) To replace the terms “line” or “lines” by “network” on all items i. to iv. i. A GOA2/GOA4 Transit System network with a minimum length of
2) If proposal 1) is not acceptable to you, to allow summing up different lines to twenty (20) km;
comply to each item i. to iv. ii. With at least fifteen (15) Metro stations that is part of a GOA2/GOA4
3) If proposals 1) and 2) above are still not acceptable to you, would you take into Metro network;
consideration more reasonable values for each following item: iii. Operating a minimum of thirty (30) Vehicle Units that is part of a
• Item i: please consider 15km (instead of 20km) GOA2/GOA4 Metro network; and
• Item iii: please also consider 15 vehicle units (instead of 30 vehicle units) iv. With a minimum of two (2) depot sites that is part of a GOA2/GOA4
• Item iv: and please also finally consider 1 depot (instead of 2 depots)" Metro network.

3 For (8.8.3.2, 8.8.4.3, 8.8.5.2, 8.8.6.3, 8.8.8.3 and 8.8.9.4), In the Statement “The Confirmed
Applicant may meet the above criteria by citing their experience on one or more
Metro / Railway Systems”. Please confirm that to meet each of the Criteria,
Applicant can cumulate or sum experiences on different lines: e.g. to reach two
depot experience, Applicant can submit two lines references with one depot each,
or to reach 20 stations Applicant can use line 1 with 8 stations and line 2 with 12
stations.
4 For (6.2.1 Commercial Structure) What is the total payback period of the CAPEX The Project is intended to be procured as a single design, build, finance,
invested for the Design & Build stage? operate, maintain, transfer (DBFOMT) contract, requiring the Successful
Bidder to finance, design, construct (including civil works and rail
systems, and procurement of the rolling stock), operate and maintain
through to the expiry of the Concession. The construction period is
envisaged to be five years followed by operations of 30 years. The
potential Bidder shall carry out his own assessment of the payback period.

5 For (4.1 Background) What is the total duration of Operation & Maintenance?
(Excl. D & B)
- Please clarify the total duration of O&M, and if it is optional.
- Please confirm the duration of the Construction phase.
6 For (8.2.4 General Conditions) “The Consortium must be formally constituted for The intention of this section is to ensure the consortium has complied with
the submission of the PQA […]” Please clarify what it means to "formally
constitute" a consortium.
Please refer to Section 4.3, clarification no. 4 in this batch as well as
section 8.2.11. The total duration of concession is 35 years which
constitutes 5 years of construction period and 30 years of O&M period.
The O&M is not optional - the entire project is intended to be procured on
a vertically integrated design-build-finance-operate-maintain-transfer
(DBFOMT) basis.
the requirements as set out in the RFQ, including but not limited to the
execution of a binding consortium agreement. There are no further
specifics to the term 'formally constituted'.
7 For (8.8.3 MER 3, 8.8.4 MER 4, 8.8.5 MER 5 ) There are very few GoA4 metro Cumulation of references is allowed.
lines under operation having 2 depots on the same line. In order to allow more
competitors to bid, it would make sense to reconsider the criteria defined in
MER7, and allow cumulation of depot on different lines

8 For (8.6) Evaluation of Pre-Qualification Applications. Please refer to evaluation criterion in Section 8.6. The PQ submissions
The method of evaluation for qualification is not clear within the document. will be evaluated based on their level of compliance with the MERs as
Please provide information on how the PQQ submissions will be evaluated. detailed in the PQ document.
9 We have purchased tender no: 896/2021/BTB(MTT/PQ/LTD/01/2021) for The bid bond is a requirement at the RFP stage, and all details relating to
Prequalification of Bahrain Metro Phase one through Bahrain tender board the bid bond will be contained in the RFP.
portal.
After going through the tender document,it is observed that no where it is
mentioned the bid bond has to submit along with the PQ offer.
Kindly clarify whether bid bond has to be submitted and what will be the value of
bid bond if we have to submit
10 Hello, we have received an official email communication with the subject Please note there was a technical issue in the system. It has been resolved
'Amendment issued in E-Tendering System for tender number: 896/2021/BTB' now.
about an Addendum for this Pre-Qualification tender, I logged into the system to
try to view/download this Addendum with no luck; Could you please advise the
steps to get this Addendum?
11 Letter of Intention by Lead contractors. Please provide the format-template for We will not be issuing a template. Section 9.11.17 clearly states that we
our review to ensure Bidders’ submission of such LoI is meeting MTT’s only require a letter indicating the Contractor's intention to participate in
requirements the project together with the tables set out in Appendix E.

12 Letter of Support from banks. Is MTT requiring or not requiring a certain The RFQ is envisaged for the purpose of pre-qualifying potential bidders
amount of committed financing (eg, 50% of senior debt) secured with the lenders in delivering the project on a DBFOMT basis. Please refer to Section 6.4
at Bid submission? for the key project financing aspects. Further details and requirements
related to bid proposal and financing will be disclosed at the RFP stage.

13 Government guarantee. This project has to be bankable on non/limited recourse MTT has taken note of your query. The Government is actively
project financing and a government guarantee on MTT’s availability payment is considering additional measures and support it could extend to further
required. The govt guarantee will also ensure that the benefits from the optimal enhance the overall viability of this strategic project and the same will be
financing be passed on to MTT in Bidder’s bid price disclosed at the RFP stage.

14 Is an Output payment to cover Bidder’s O&M costs of the transit system, facility The payment mechanism will be aligned with best practices and global
management and overheads included in MTT’s availability payment? Such a PPP projects with due consideration towards the bankability aspects.
payment structure has been successfully banked on power and water PPP Please refer Section 6.2 for broad commercial framework. The detailed
payment mechanism will be shared in the RFP.

15 Will the govt procure long-term fixed(index-linked) price power and water Details about utilities will be provided in RFP.
supply contracts on behalf/or assist the Bidder?
16 Will there be deductions on KPIs on the facility management similar to other The availability payments payable will primarily be linked to service
social infrastructure PPPs such as schools? availability and subject to a performance abatement regime based on some
key performance indicators to be provided in the Concession Agreement.
Please refer to section 16.4.4 and 16.5.2 for an indicative list of categories
of KPIs. Kindly note that the KPIs mentioned in the RFQ are indicative
and not exhaustive. The KPIs will be aligned with best practices and
Global PPP projects with due consideration towards the bankability
aspects.
17 (Clause 9.11.3) In the last sentence, it mentions that "Further, the information Last sentence of 9.11.3 to be read as "Further, the information requested in
requested in Appendix A to E of this RFQ should also be provided in Microsoft Appendix B to E of this RFQ should also be provided in Microsoft excel
excel (unprotected) formats". Appendix A is the Form of Submission Letter, (unprotected) formats"
which mainly text descriptions. Please kindly confirm that the Applicant do not
need to provide excel format of Appendix A. And please also kindly confirm that
the Applicant do not need to provide excel format of Appendix F.

18 (Clause 9.11.5) Regarding "the currency of all financial information provided
should be in USD equivalent", please kindly confirm that "all financial
information" refers to all the financial information provided by the Applicant in
the Appendix C.
19 (Clause 9.11.7) Please kindly confirm that when a member of the Consortium act
as the Lead Contractor of one of the technical experience of MERs, the member
do not need to furnish a LOI since it is part of the Consortium.
Any financial information requested in RFQ should be in USD equivalent
unless otherwise specified. This includes the information sought in
Appendix B, C&D.
As per Section 9.11.17, the Lead Contractor would still need to sign the
LOI notwithstanding its participation as a Consortium Member.

20 (Clause 9.11.7) Are there any basic elements/content required to be included in Please refer to clarification no. 11 of this batch
the LOI?
21 (Clause 12) For Table 6 in page 48, it is observed in the note that foreign Please use a reputable source such as the Central Bank data of the
currency conversion should use the exchange rate prevalent on the date of the respective jusrisdiction. The applicant shall indicate the source and the
balance sheet while not indicate the source of publication of exchange rate. exchange rate used for conversion.
Please indicate the source of the exchange rate.
22 (Appendix B-Applicant Information) Regarding "the Curriculum vitae of key This information will be required as part of the RFP response or
personnel who will be involved in the project", Please kindly clarify: Applicants should identify and provide the CV for key senior personnel
1. MTT will specify the key personnel via addenda or the Applicant shall identify who would be involved in the execution of the project. While no template
the key personnel by themselves; will be provided, applicant should ensure that relevant experience of the
2. "will be involved in the project", which stage of the project does MTT mean, key personnel is provided in the CV.
the RFQ stage, the RFP stage or the execution stage? Please kindly issue the
template for the CV
23 (Appendix B-Applicant Information) Regarding the "Number of projects (sector For Appendix B, the total contract value of all the Eligible Infrastructure
wise) currently in execution and estimated contract value (USD million)", Please Projects will suffice. However, for the avoidance of doubt, project specific
kindly clarify the total contract value of all nine sectors (as described in the term " information to be furnished as per Appendix D for evaluation.
Infrastructure Project) or the subtotal of each of the nine sector shall be filled in.
And also please kindly specify the date for convert contract value and the source
of the exchange rate.
24 (Appendix F-Declaration) Regarding to the description "Tender [●] Response to The square bracket after the word Tender to be deleted.
the Pre-Qualification Document for the development of Bahrain Metro Phase
One- Declaration", please kindly confirm in the bracket after the word Tender,
the full name of a consortium member shall be filled in.
25 As regards point 8.8.8.2 iv of the Pre-Qualification Document, we would like to Please refer to clarification no. 2 of this batch.
know whether the two mentioned depot sites have to be on a single metro line or
can be on two different metro lines in the same network.

26 (Pg. 18, Clause 5.2.3.2 c) Referring to 4.5 and the regulatory requirements. Can Details relating to the approval process will be given in the RFP stage.
MTT advise whether a Technical Interface office or one stop shop has been
considered in order to ease approval times within the regulatory framework?

27 (Pg. 25, Clause 8.2.4) The consortium must be formally constituted for Agreed
submission of PQA -We understand that a formal agreement is enough prior to
submission and the formal company formation shall be done at later stage.

28 (Pg. 39, Clause 9.11.11 section 5.2) Power of attorney: Would an extract from Agreed
the Bahrain Similar portal mentioning the authorized signatories serve as proof of
power of attorney for a Bahraini company?
29 In order to submit a valid bid in line with the rules and regulations of the Bahrain As per Tender board Rules and Regulations, its only allowed i for Lead
tender board, is it mandatory that all members of a consortium buy the bid from consortium member to buy the RFQ. And its Optional for Other
tender board portal or is it sufficient that 1 consortium member, which might not consortium members.
necessarily be the Lead Member of the consortium, buys the bid on the portal on
behalf of the consortium?
30 Cl 8.4.2 (Page 26 of 74) Kindly confirm if the bidder SPV can comprise of Please refer to paragraph 8.5 for eligible entities.
Investors / Finance partners/Developers , who shall infuse majority or complete There is no mandatory requirement for EPC Contractors to infuse equity in
Equity into the project. kindly allow the EPC companies to participate as EPC the SPV.
CONTRACTORS to SPV ( on exclusive basis) with technical requirements /
experience (meeting relevant PQ criteria ) without any mandatory requirement to
infuse equity into the Project SPV.

31 Cl 8.4.2 (Page 26 of 74) We request that the minimum share of each of the Section 8.4.2 applies to consortium members and bidder needs to comply
member and the lead member be decided/ proposed by the BIDDER SPV / to the section. The aforementioned sections do not restrict bidders to
consortium members without any restrictions . The existing requirements of min structure downstream contractors
30% by the lead member and 10% by other members may be a constraint and can
be left to the SPV/ Consortium to decide.

32 Cl 8.4.2 (Page 26 of 74) EPC companies may be willing to support the SPV on Applicants are advised to comply with the requirements of the RFQ, as
exclusive basis as EPC Contractors without equity infusion. We request the prescribed. Also, Please refer to clarification no. 30 of this batch.
Employer to provide the flexibility to the SPV / bidder to choose/ nominate EPC
companies as its exclusive Contractor(s) and allow the bidder /SPV to qualify
based on the EPC credentials of such Companies.
33 Cl 8.4.2 (Page 26 of 74) We presume that SPV can decide suitable gearing ratio Please refer section 6.4.3 for understanding on financing aspect. The
for the Project. We anticipate a gearing ratio with 20% to 30% Equity and the Bidders will not be restricted from sourcing finance for the Project from a
remaining being Debt. Please confirm if our understanding is correct. combination of their own resources and from the debt markets. Further
clarity on financing would be provided during RFP stage

34 Cl 4.1 (Page 14 of 74) It is proposed that the Government will provide a Further clarity on grant would be provided during RFP stage
predetermined amount as Construction Grant to the project Company. Is it
possible to get the extent of Grant
35 Clause (8.8) In the definition of some of the MER technical qualification criteria Requirements of MER 3 and MER 5 need to be complied
it is mentioned that the experience "located out of the domestic country of the
parent company". Could you please reconsider this requirement especially for
MER5, MER3.
36 Clause (8.8.9) MER 8, the section 8.8.9.3. requirement calls for providing Section 8.8.9.3 is substituted by the following :
"references with respect to the maintenance of a Transit System with the "To meet MER 8, the Applicant must have experience in the provision of
following Features:" We understand that word maintenance should be read Passenger Services and Facilities Management which is to be
operation (of the stations, line and the trains). demonstrated by providing references with respect to operation of a
Transit System with the following features "

37 Clause (8.8.9.) MER 8, the section 8.8.9.3. requirement does not specify if the Please refer to clarification no. 1 of this batch.
line should be GoA4 or if the trains can be driven by operator

38 Clause (8.8.6) MER6. Could you please clarify that for this requirement MER 6 , Confirmed
the "metro System" definition is to be understood as per definition provided in
section 8.8.2.2. and 8.8.2.3.
39 Clause (8.8.6.2.) Could you please clarify that for this requirement MER 6 , the Confirmed
"Design" refers to the detailed design of of the civil works and buildings
excluding of course the detailed design of the Transit Systems (as per definition
in page 13) such as Rolling stock and signaling, power supply etc. which is done
by the Transit Systems suppliers (and covered under other MER).

40 Clause (16.2.3.) Minimum platform clear width of 4.5.m. Please confirm this Detailed Specification will be provided at RFP Stage.
requirement is for central platform only.
41 Clause (16.4.) Expected load at start of Commercial services: 5000 pphpd. Please Confirmed
confirm this value is per line.
42 Clause (16.2.) Could you please share with us for information the existing Information to be provided at RFP stage
drawings and maybe specifications and scope or work definition for the project.

43 Clause (16.2.6). Could you confirm our understanding that the Project Company Requirements for aesthetics and material will be provided at RFP Stage.
can propose aesthetics and materials for the passenger stations which will deffer
from the ones envisaged in the current design done for the Bahraini authorities

44 Could you please clarify what would be the evaluation and selection criteria for
the Bahrain Metro Phase 1 tender?
45 Could you please clarify what would be expected timeline for the tender and
evaluation?
46 Could you please clarify if the current advisors of the Ministry will be in charge
of the tender evaluation and negotiations?
47 Could you please clarify if the Ministry will hire Independent Engineers and
consultants, their scope and the timeline for their appointment?
48 Clause (8.2.10) General Conditions P26. As indicated that the Operator is
preferred to be a Consortium member and the weightage of this will be given in
RFP. Please clarify the preferred equity share capital of Operator in the
Consortium from MTT”s opinion and the principal for assigning weightage for
proposal evaluation
49 Clause 8.8.6. Minimum Eligibility Requirement 6 ("MER 6"): Experience of
Design & Technical Interfaces management P31. Please clarify that for this
requirement MER 6, the "metro System" definition is to be understood as per
definition provided in section 8.8.2.2, and 8.8.2.3.
Please refer to evaluation criterion in Section 8.6. The PQ submissions
will be evaluated based on their level of compliance with the MERs as
detailed in the PQ document. The evaluation criteria for RFP process will
be shared at the RFP stage
Timeline for tender and bid evaluation will be conveyed to pre qualified
bidders
Yes
Information pertaining to Independent Engineers would be provided at
RFP stage
Section 8.4.2 applies to consortium members and bidder needs to comply
to the section. The weightage would be disclosed at RFP stage
Please refer to clarification no. 38 of this batch.
50 Clause (8.8.6.2) Minimum Eligibility Requirement 6 ("MER 6"): Experience of Please refer to clarification no. 39 of this batch.
Design & Technical Interfaces management P31. Could you please clarify that
for this requirement MER 6, the "Design" refers to the detailed design of the civil
works and buildings excluding of course the detailed design of the Rolling stock
and railway systems done by the suppliers (and covered under other MER 5 etc.)

51 Clause (8.8.9) Minimum Eligibility Requirement 8 ("MER 8"): Passenger Please refer to clarification no. 36 of this batch.
Services and Facilities Management P32: In the definition of some the MER
technical qualification criteria it is mentioned that the section 8.8.9.3 requirement
calls for providing “references with respect to the maintenance of a Transit
System with the following Features:" We understand that word maintenance
should be read operation (of the stations, line and the trains). Please clarify if our
understanding is right.
52 Clause (8.8.9) Minimum Eligibility Requirement 8 ("MER 8"): Passenger Please refer to clarification no. 1 of this batch.
Services and Facilities Management P32: The section 8.8.9.3. requirement does
not specify if the line should be GoA4 or if the trains can be driven by operator?
Please clarify if there is any requirement for the train.

53 9.10 Submissions by Consortium 9.10.1 iii P35: “The Consortium must nominate The Lead Member will be required to satisfy MERs applicable to them as
one (1) member of the Consortium as its Lead Member that meets the minimum prescribed in section 8. It is clarified that MERs can be satisfied by
MER criteria set out in section 8.” Please clarify whether the Lead Member needs designated entities as permitted under respective sections for MER.
to meet all the MERS set out in Section 8 or just collect them all and submit it.

54 9.11.11 Section 5.5 Consortium Agreement P39: Please clarify whether the
consortium agreement needs to be signed by all members in PQ stage. In this
clause said that “the Consortium Members must submit a certified copy of the
complete joint venture or Consortium Agreement" Please clarify if a joint venture
agreement is enough.
55 9.13 Parent Company Guarantee P41: It would be difficult to get the approval
from the parent company due to the internal regulations while in the Tender
Document there is no detailed requirements on the parent company Guarantee.
Please clarify if it is possible to waive the requirement of providing a parent
company guarantee in RFQ stage and ask it in the RFP stage or provide more
detailed requirements on the parent company guarantee
A joint venture agreement is acceptable.
If a copy of the signed original is submitted, then the parties need to certify
that it is a true, correct and complete copy of the original. Alternatively,
you can submit a signed original of the joint venture agreement.
A parent company guarantee is not required at the RFQ stage. The parent
company is only required to provide a letter confirming that it will provide
a guarantee to MTT only if the Applicant is relying on the parent
company’s financial standing, resources or experience

56 Please provide the feasibility study and preliminary design for this Project so we Please refer to section 16 Annex 1 - Key Technical Requirements for the
can have a deeper understanding of this project. Metro System and Transportation service which provides enough
information for PQ.
Complete technical specifications will be provided at RFP Stage.