The state-owned company "Monteput" announced yesterday that it is considering the possibility of canceling the current pre-qualified tender for the design and construction of the Mateševo-Andrijevica highway section and directly announcing the main tender without qualifying participation, while the Delegation of the European Union in Podgorica responded to "Vijesti" that the Montenegrin authorities have informed them that they will announce a new tender in which new bidders will be able to apply.
"Vijesti" announced yesterday that the pre-qualification tender for the construction of this section will be canceled at the end of February, and the main tender will be announced on the same day at the request of the Delegation of the European Union in Podgorica and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and that new bidders who were not registered for the pre-qualification tender will also be able to apply for the new tender.
"Vijesti" also announced that the formal reason for the cancellation of the previous tender will be that due to protests by residents of the villages of Kralje and Slatina near Andrijevica, the route was relocated by 14 kilometers, while "Vijesti" sources said that the reasons were also that European companies did not apply for the pre-qualification tender, but contractors from China, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
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"Vijesti" asked the EU Delegation whether they requested the cancellation of the pre-qualification tender, whether they did so because no EU companies had applied, and whether they believe there were limiting factors for EU companies to apply.
"We have been informed by the Montenegrin authorities that the relaunch of the tender procedure is necessary due to a significant change in the route of the motorway section and that all interested companies, including those already shortlisted, can participate in the open tender. The EU has provided the agreed grant funds in a timely manner before the change in route. We remain committed to accelerating this priority project, with the utmost attention to social and environmental aspects. The project is continuing in accordance with the EBRD's rules and regulations on public procurement, which, among other things, ensures a competitive tender process," the EU Delegation stated, without directly answering the question of whether they had requested the cancellation of the tender and why.
The European Commission announced early last year that it would participate in the construction of this section with a 100 million euro grant, and the EBRD with a soft loan of 200 million euros. The construction costs of this 24-kilometer section are estimated at 550 to 600 million euros.
The pre-qualification tender was announced in April last year according to EBRD rules and procedures, and ended at the end of June. At the time, it was announced that five companies and three consortiums had applied, without providing details of the bids.
"Monteput" announced yesterday that it will allow all interested companies to participate in the new tender, not limiting itself to companies that were shortlisted in the pre-qualification procedure.
They say that the pre-qualification tender was conducted according to EBRD rules and procedures, and that "the main tender phase was the subject of intensive communication with representatives of the EBRD and the European Commission."
"In this regard, the possibility of announcing a main tender is being considered that would allow participation by all interested companies, not limited to companies that were shortlisted in the pre-qualification procedure, which could affect more favorable prices and construction quality," the statement reads.
The previous plan was for the contractor to be selected in the first quarter of this year, and for preparatory work to begin this year, however, the announcement of a new competition will change these deadlines.
"Monteput" stated yesterday that the original plan was to complete the tender procedure in the first quarter of this year and then, depending on potential complaints about the procedure, to conclude the Design and Construction Contract in the first half of this year.
"According to the current dynamics, which are coordinated with the EBRD, it is planned that all phases of the tender procedure will be completed by the middle of this year, followed by the signing of the Contract," said Monteput.
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