Background and Relevance of the Project
The Córdoba-Orizaba-Ciudad Mendoza highway modernization and operation project has garnered significant attention from consulting firms, as evidenced by the 16 proposals received for the appointment of an Agent Administrator Supervisor (AAS). This AAS will support Banobras in the bidding process for modernizing and operating this rapid highway, marking the first infrastructure project pursued under a mixed investment model during the current federal administration.
Bidding Process and Proposals
With a shortage of private investment projects, Banobras invited proposals for the AAS role to facilitate the modernization, maintenance-rehabilitation-operation (M-MRO) services contract for the Córdoba-Orizaba-Ciudad Mendoza highway. The bids ranged from 74.5 million pesos by Coordinación Técnico Administrativa de Obras, Incubaurbana y Laboratorio de Control to 297.9 million pesos by SMS y Asociados, Construcción y Asesoría en Obras y Servicios and Grupo Industrial Caso.
Key Players and Their Proposals
Among the notable proposals are:
- Ayesa México and RAM Ingeniería y Servicios for 231.9 million pesos
- Bureau Veritas Mexicana, Ingeniería, Control y Administración and Tecon Tecnología Avanzada para Construcción for 257.1 million pesos
- Transconsult, Asesoría y Consultoría Técnica en Ingeniería e Infraestructuras, Hala Ken Consulting, Desarrollo, Tecnología y Planeación and Liec for 284.9 million pesos
- A consorcio integrado by Orva Ingeniería, Senermex Ingeniería y Sistemas and Antea México Consultores for 216.5 million pesos
Contract Details and Timeline
The contract, to be signed by Banobras as the trustee, will have a duration of 3,836 days, adhering to the current regulations for private investment participation without affecting the state. The concession will remain under Fonadin’s control throughout the project.
An innovative aspect of the AAS role is the requirement to produce two high-definition videos—one aerial (using a drone) and one ground-level—documenting the work accomplished.
Next Steps and Anticipated Announcements
The decision is expected to be announced on the morning of October 30, with a potential delay due to the extensive information received by Banobras. As a result, the M-MRO contract bidding is likely to be published by year’s end, as stated by Jesús Esteva, the Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT).
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Córdoba-Orizaba-Ciudad Mendoza highway project? It is a mixed investment infrastructure project aiming to modernize and operate the Córdoba-Orizaba-Ciudad Mendoza highway, which is the first such project undertaken during the current federal administration.
- Why is an Agent Administrator Supervisor (AAS) needed? The AAS will support Banobras in the bidding process for modernizing and operating the highway, ensuring a smooth transition of M-MRO services to a private entity.
- What are the key responsibilities of the AAS? The AAS will supervise and monitor all modernization (M) phase activities, as well as MRO services on the currently concessioned highway to Fonadin.
- When will the contract be awarded? The decision is anticipated to be announced on October 30, with the M-MRO contract bidding likely to be published by year’s end.
- What innovative requirements are there for the AAS role? The successful AAS must produce two high-definition videos—one aerial and one ground-level—documenting their work throughout the project.
