Gamuda seen favourite for PDP job in HSR civil works
MRCB and IJM are also possible contenders
GAMUDA Bhd, the construction giant that pioneered the project delivery partner (PDP) concept in the modern-day local construction sector, is said to be the lead candidate to land the job to oversee civil works in the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project.
Tenders for the PDP to undertake the civil infrastructure work for the Malaysian portion of the HSR project, estimated at RM30bil, were out on Wednesday.
A briefing will be held on Dec 4 and only firms that are currently involved in HSR-related projects will be invited for the tender exercise.
The PDP will be responsible for developing the detailed design for the infrastructure works and delivering the infrastructure works on budget and on time. In return, it will be paid a fee, usually about 6% of the total construction cost.
Industry executives say the other construction companies that will be in the running are those that have experience in large-scale PDP work.
This includes Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB), which is a member of the PDP joint-venture (JV) undertaking the light rail transit 3 (LRT3) job, and some lesser-known names.
“Gamuda is in pole position because of its experience, being the PDP for the mass rapid transit (MRT) projects. MRCB also cannot be discounted,” say industry sources.
This is because the specification clearly states that only companies that have undertaken railway projects in Malaysia and are able to demonstrate railway project management, design and construction experience will be considered for the job.
On this score, Gamuda has the relevant experience because it undertook the double-tracking project from Ipoh to Padang Besar.
This is in addition to it being the PDP in the MRT 1 and MRT 2 jobs.
Industry sources say outside names such as IJM Corp Bhd, other local construction companies cannot be discounted for the PDP job because it allows for them to form JVs.
IJM has undertaken the double-tracking railway work from Seremban to Gemas.
One of the specifications for the tender is that the PDP must have experience in HSR infrastructure works. In relation to this, the tender specifications state that companies can employ a specialist consultant to demonstrate their abilities.
“So, even companies that have not undertaken extensive railway works can vie for the PDP job,” says a source.
The HSR project is estimated at RM60bil and runs from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. The civil infrastructure works that comprise stations, viaducts, tunnels and embankments are to be done separately by the respective countries.
Only the systems, estimated at about US$6bil (RM25bil), will be tendered out jointly by Malaysia and Singapore.
Among the companies that have already formed JVs to bid for the systems works are George Kent (M) Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd.
George Kent has formed a JV with Siemens, while MMC has said it would be teaming up with a Japanese company.
The systems package includes signalling, electrification and communications along the entire railway stretch. It is to be under- taken by a single company, which is why both Malaysia and Singapore will decide on the bidders.
It is learnt that the rolling stock may not be part of the package and be given out separately. There are two engineering consultancies – WSP Engineering Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Mott MacDonald Malaysia – assisting MyHSR Corp on the tender requirements for the systems work, which is a joint aspect of the job.
MyHSR Corp, the government entity that is handling the HSR project, has employed a slew of consultants for the most prestigious infrastructure project.
United Kingdom-based CH2M is one of the main consultants to provide specialist technical advice on the planning and design aspect of the HSR project.
Six engineering consulting firms have been employed to undertake the design and specifications for the various packages of the civil infrastructure works.