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Gov’t seeks contractor to supply solar powered catamaran ferry

The Ministry of Finance is seeking a contractor to design, build, and supply a solar-powered battery-operated catamaran-type passenger ferry.

The finance ministry has invited bids for contractors that can supply the vessel, to be made with glass fiber reinforced polymers (GRP), as well as provide support for its operation, maintenance, and training requirements. The ministry stated that the government has received financing for the project from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of the Preparing Outer Islands for the Sustainable Energy Development Project, and that part of the financing will be used for payment under the contract package.

The finance ministry will be conducting the international competitive bidding (ICB) in accordance with ADB’s single-stage two-envelope bidding procedure. Eligible bidders will be qualified to participate in the bidding process if they have a minimum average annual turnover of USD400,000, which is calculated as total payments received by the bidder for contracts completed or under execution over the last three years. They should also have successfully completed at least two contracts as a main supplier within the last five years, with each contract being valued at USD250,000.

A complete set of bidding documents and related documentation is available at the official website of the finance ministry, and details of the pre-bid meeting will be provided to all registered bidders as well as bidders who submit by email their interest to attend the meeting by June 16. Bidders are required to provide bid security of USD7,500 and submit their bids by June 20.