Bulgartransgaz EAD announced two open procedures under the Public Procurement Act in connection with the expansion of the Chiren underground gas storage facility. The project is of strategic importance for improving energy security and increasing competition and liquidity in the natural gas market in the country and the region.
Since 2013, the expansion of UGS Chiren has the status of a "project of common interest" and is part of all lists of projects of common interest for the European Union prepared in accordance with Regulation (EU) № 347/2013. The project has a priority status also within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative.
The project is included in the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria and is an integral part of the infrastructure contributing to the concept for a gas distribution centre in the country, along with the infrastructure modernization projects of Bulgartransgaz EAD, liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupolis and interconnectors with Serbia and Greece.
The first public procurement for "Supply of necessary materials and equipment, construction and commissioning of the site: “Expansion of the capacity of UGS Chiren - aboveground part”" includes activities for the construction and commissioning of new aboveground facilities - compressor station with the adjacent technological facilities to ensure reliable and continuous operation in the mode of injection and withdrawal of gas, as well as a new gas measuring station. In this way, a technical possibility will be created for the gradual expansion of the Chiren underground gas storage facility, the necessary new highly reliable compressor equipment will be provided, providing an opportunity to reach the parameters set in the technological project. The new facilities will also provide the necessary new highly reliable equipment for the rehabilitation of existing gas transmission network facilities and the construction of new ones. Operational safety will be increased along with the increase of the capacity of the Chiren UGS.
The estimated value of the public procurement is in the amount of BGN 300 000 000.00 (three hundred million) without VAT.
For a part of the activities for implementation of the contract a deferred payment for a 24-month period is provided, as the respective percentage of price increase in connection with it is limited to 3% for each 12-month period and should be offered by the participants in the procedure.
The most economically advantageous tender will be determined on the basis of the selected award criterion "optimal quality / price ratio", according to indicators related to the operation of the gas turbine engines, envisaged by the participants organization for the performance of the activities subject to the procurement, the professional competence of the expert personnel, price parameters and rate of price increase in connection with the deferred payment.
The financing of the activities within the scope of the procurement will be carried out with own funds of Bulgartransgaz EAD and with a grant funding after the signing of a grant agreement under the Connecting Europe Facility program.
The deadline for submitting tenders for participation in the open procedure is 23:59 on 20.04.2022.
The documentation for participation is published in CAIS EPP at https://app.eop.bg/today/184887
The purpose of the second public procurement "Development planning and development of investment project - technical design phase of the site: “Gas pipeline connecting UGS Chiren with the existing gas transmission network of “Bulgartransgaz” EAD in the area of the village of Butan”” is to ensure project readiness for construction of a site: "Gas pipeline connecting UGS Chiren with the existing gas transmission network of Bulgartransgaz EAD in the area of the village of Butan".
The construction of the gas pipeline to the underground gas storage facility Chiren is directly related to the possibilities for expanding the storage capacity of the storage facility itself, as the safety of operation and security of natural gas transmission to and from Chiren will be increased. The capacity of the facility will be increased from a commercial point of view, which will contribute to greater security and maneuverability in terms of trade in natural gas and withdrawal and injection processes and the integration of underground storage in the gas transmission system in Bulgaria and the region. In addition, it will be possible to gasify the surrounding areas, which will allow the replacement of currently used solid fuels and thus reduce harmful emissions.
The subject of the procurement includes the implementation of all activities of development planning and investment design (technical design) in order to obtain a building permit.
The estimated value of the public procurement is in the amount of BGN 820 000.00 (eight hundred and twenty thousand) without VAT.
The most economically advantageous tender will be determined on the basis of the selected award criterion "optimal quality / price ratio", according to indicators related to the implementation deadlines, envisaged by the participants organization for the performance of the activities subject to the procurement and the proposed price parameters.
The activities will be financed by Bulgartransgaz EAD with own funds.
The deadline for submitting tenders for participation in the open procedure is 23:59 on 08.04.2022.
The documentation for participation is published in CAIS EPP at https://app.eop.bg/today/193139 .