The Bahraini government has approved the start of the first phase of the Bahrain Metro project, which is expected to cost approximately US$2 billion. After the market consultation event held in early March 2021, the government will now enter the tendering phase.

This two-stage international and "competitive bidding" public bidding process will include a request for qualification (RFQ) followed by a request for proposal. The RFQ process is expected to begin in November. The project is managed by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.

The estimated length of the two lines is 28.6 kilometers, and there will be 20 stations and two interchanges. The new urban transportation system will support the operation of the fully automated, driverless GoA4 system and will use the latest technology.

The initial capacity is about 5,000 passengers per hour (pphpd) in each direction, and each line will be able to expand to 23,000 pphpd. The tender will cover the design and construction of civil structures, procurement, operation and maintenance of the subway during the contract period, as well as project funding. According to the Ministry’s notice, the project will be proposed as a comprehensive PPP. The contract period is 35 years, and the preferred social capital will be based on the design, construction, financing, operation, maintenance and transfer (DBFOMT) of the project. Keywords: international engineering project, foreign engineering project information

Social capital will receive availability-based payments, performance-based deductions and rewards, while the government will bear the demand risk. The government will provide the winning partner with a predetermined amount as a construction grant to fund a small portion of capital expenditure. The government has also purchased the space needed for subway corridors and related station centers. These will be handed over to the social capital at the beginning of the project.Editor/Baohongying