By Burnett Munthali
The Roads Authority of Malawi has announced an invitation for sealed bids from eligible contractors to rehabilitate the Liwonde-Matawale (M003) road in southern Malawi. The project, aimed at improving vital infrastructure, is funded by the World Bank under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project.
The rehabilitation work will cover a 47.23-kilometer stretch of road that passes through Machinga and Zomba districts. The project will include upgrading the road to bitumen standards, partial reconstruction of the pavement, installation of new drainage structures, and rehabilitation of existing drainage systems.
Moses Malinda, the Procurement Manager at the Roads Authority, emphasized that the project aims to enhance the road’s condition, improve traffic flow, and foster better trade and connectivity in the region. He stated, “The project will not only improve the road’s condition but also enhance trade and connectivity within the region.”
In a public statement, Malinda outlined the eligibility criteria for potential bidders. Contractors must have relevant experience as prime contractors, having successfully completed similar projects of a comparable scale and complexity between January 1, 2018, and the bid submission deadline. Contractors must have completed at least two contracts valued at a minimum of USD 30 million each, or one contract valued at least USD 60 million. Bidders must also demonstrate an average annual turnover of USD 42 million over the past five years and possess liquid assets or credit facilities of at least USD 8 million.
The bidding process will adhere to the World Bank’s procurement regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF), as detailed in the September 2023 edition. The process is open to all eligible applicants as defined in the World Bank’s guidelines.
Malinda further informed interested bidders that bidding documents in English are available for purchase from the Roads Authority, upon submitting a written application and paying a non-refundable fee of MWK 180,000 or USD 100.
The deadline for bid submission is set for 10:00 CAT on February 14, 2025. Bidders are encouraged to submit their proposals to the Roads Authority’s designated address before the deadline.
For more information, prospective bidders can contact the Roads Authority directly at [email protected] or visit their website at www.ra.org.mw.
