The aviation sector, a subset of the transportation industry, caters to the transportation of passengers and cargo via air. It involves individuals from developers and researchers to pilots and ground crew, organizations engaged in the manufacture, building, and purchase of aircraft as well as companies and agencies responsible for their maintenance and repair. Considered one of the safest and most efficient modes of transportation capable of crossing international boundaries, air transit also consumes a large amount of energy for its daily workings.
With an annual electricity usage of over 19 kWh, the aviation industry significantly contributes to the global energy demand. Lighting and temperature regulation systems account for approximately 46% of this energy bill. A majority of these demands are met by burning fossil fuels. With global concerns about the growing carbon footprint and diminishing resources, the aviation sector started transitioning towards a greener and cleaner future. Solarization of airports around the world has significantly relieved the global electricity generation demand using non-renewable sources. The development of two airports in Oman to integrate solar infrastructure invited companies worldwide to place bids.
Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, abbreviated TCIL, announced the development of solar projects in two airports under the authorization of Oman Airports Management Company SAOC: the Muscat International Airport and the Salalah Airport. According to the Oman Airport Annual Report 2022, The Muscat airport aided the domestic and international transit of over 8.6 million passengers. Prior to this, both airports have been involved in other sustainable future programs like hydrogen-powered cars, green recycled water, clean energy, etc.
TCIL invited businesses nationwide to place their bids for the project for a fixed tenure based on asset leasing. On successful implementation of the solar projects, Muscat International Airport is expected to generate 20 MW, while Salalah Airport will have a smaller generation capacity of 6 MW. Bids for designing architecture, supply, testing, operation, and maintenance will be accepted till October 16, 2023.
TCIL has placed criteria for companies to bid with startups and micro and small enterprises entitled to certain relaxations. With a common last date for submitting and disclosing bids, Prospective partners are exempt from paying a tender fee and the earnest money deposit. They are only expected to submit an undertaking along with their Performance Security Guarantee (PBG); these documents should match the ones provided by TCIL to the final client. The PBG amount should be at least 5% of the quoted value for the contract; this may vary on a case-to-case basis if the agreement is provided to TCIL.
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31 Business bidding is expected to have an annual financial turnover of at least 30% of the estimated purchase cost. This criterion is for the previous three years, with March 31 as the end of the last financial year. The bidders must also have a positive net worth on March 31 of the previous financial year with profits before tax deduction in at least two of the three prior financial years. Micro-enterprises, small enterprises, and startups have relaxed the last three years’ financial turnover by 25% of purchases.
TCIL also stipulates technical experience criteria concerning IT and Telecom projects in the previous years. Companies must have experience working on other projects of a comparable scale. A bidder is expected to be involved in similar projects in the past seven years, having an estimated completion time frame of at least a year. A requirement of two projects is sent for a value of each at least 30% of the present project, while one project will suffice when the cost is at least 40%. A lower requirement of 25% and 35%, respectively, is considered for startups. For projects spanning more than a year, the bidder must have two projects with minimum values of 30% of the current undertaking or one project costing at least 50%. Startups are expected to meet 25% or 45% of the cost.
Joshua Austin joined News Gazzte as a senior editor in 2023. Joshua is an automotive journalist who previously worked as an autonomous vehicle test engineer at Uber. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science, with a specialization in technical writing and journalism. Joshua’s enthusiasm lies in automotive technology and the evolution of transportation. He remains vigilant in tracking the most recent developments in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and other emerging technologies.