Five qualify for Semapa consulting

Five groups consisting of national and international companies have qualified for a contract to provide consulting services on waterworks-improvement plans in central Bolivian city Cochabamba, an official with local water utility Semapa told BNamericas. Semapa's leadership is notifying selected firms of its decision, giving them some 40 days to submit technical and economic proposals, the official said, adding an award is expected by September. The utility aims to publish qualifier names Friday (July 4). In general terms, the consultant will lay the groundwork for Semapa's comprehensive waterworks-improvement scheme, largely funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The scheme entails expanding drinking water and sewerage networks and installing water meters. Seventeen national and international groups presented pre-qualification tenders for the contract, initially valued at US$1.8mn. The winner will have five responsibilities: establish a plan to reduce utility losses; study alternate ways to treat wastewater; develop a business management plan; oversee construction projects; and supervise water meter management and installation, according to Bank information. The Bank approved Semapa's shortlist in a meeting Thursday (June 26), also agreeing to release an initial US$4.2mn of an US$18.5mn loan in August, the official said. The IDB will release additional funds based on a progress report for initial works, which include the consulting project, installation of water meters and enhancing network services. Cochabamba, capital of Cochabamba department, has nearly 1.5 million residents.