Rijkswaterstaat announces intention to award contract for the Afsluitdijk project
(Translation of original Dutch news release Rijkswaterstaat:) Utrecht, the Netherlands, 22 February 2018 - Rijkswaterstaat (part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and responsible for the design, construction, management and maintenance of the main infrastructure facilities in the Netherlands) intends to award the reinforcement of the Afsluitdijk and increasing the water discharge capacity to Levvel bv (in formation). A joint venture of BAM PPP PGGM Infrastructure Coöperatie U.A. / Van Oord Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners B.V. / RebelValley B.V. will be responsible for designing, building and pre-financing the project.
In addition, this consortium will be responsible for maintenance for 25 years. Construction works are expected to start in the autumn of 2018. In 2022, works on the Afsluitdijk will be completed.
Combination price and quality
Rijkswaterstaat selected this tender on the basis of a combination of price and quality, also called Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). MEAT helps to make better use of the innovative strength and creativity of the market. Rijkswaterstaat has, among other things, assessed the plans of the market parties on the criteria 'satisfied end-user', 'satisfied operational manager' and 'satisfied environment'.
Award process
In December 2017 three consortia made their offers. Following the provisional award, made known to candidates on 22 February 2018, consortia that have not been awarded the contract will have the opportunity to raise an objection during 20 days.
The Afsluitdijk
The Afsluitdijk protects large parts of the Netherlands against flooding from the sea and the IJsselmeer since 1932. After more than 85 years, the dyke is in need of renewal. Rijkswaterstaat strengthens the dike and builds pumps to transport more water to the Wadden Sea. The contract also includes a number of ambitions of De Nieuwe Afsluitdijk (DNA). For this DNA, the crossing for a fish migration river and a cycle path on the Wadden Sea side are included. The works will be carried out between 2018 and 2022. More information about the project can be found on the website De Afsluitdijk.