Client Alert: MOTC Announces EOI for 1400 km Optical Fiber Cable Installation

The Myanma Railways (“MR”) under the Ministry of Transport and Communications (“MOTC”), announced on February 10 2017 a new Expression of Interest (“EOI”) for an optical fiber cable installation along railway tracks.
This is the third phase of the MR project that intends to lay optical fiber cables along various railway lines across Myanmar. The deadline for the EOI submission is at 2 p.m. on March 7 2017 at the Myanma Railways office in Yangon, Myanmar. You can download the EOI here.

Phase-1 of the project involved a cable installation alongside railway tracks between Yangon and Mandalay, while Phase-2 utilized railway tracks in the Yangon circular train route.

The current EOI for Phase-3 will utilize railway tracks in the following corridors:

• Yangon-Mawlamyaing-Dawei (597.6 km)
• Yangon – Pyay (257.6 km)
• Yangon – Myitkyina (539.3 km)

The bidder is expected to be a local company which has an NFS (I) license from the Posts and Telecommunications Department (“PTD”) under MOTC. MR has also confirmed that a joint venture (“JV”) involving a local company and a foreign company would be allowed to submit an EOI. Documents required while submitting the EOI include application form, background information on the applicant, details on the JV, qualifications, historical contract non-performance, general experience, specific experience and financial status of the company.

After the EOI has been submitted, the project will be divided into two parts as follows:

1. Part 1
   1. Feasibility study
   2. Determination of project standards and business plan
   3. Preparation of documents required for tender application
2. Part 2
   1. Preparation as may be necessary after the company is a successful applicant for the relevant project area
   2. Implementation of the project as per plans submitted in tender documents

Should you like additional information on this matter or require assistance with submitting an EOI, please contact VDB Loi’s Managing Partner Jean Loi at [email protected] or Senior Partner Edwin Vanderbruggen at [email protected]