After two price surveys organised by State Real Estate (VNĪ) it is possible to announce the construction companies that will be building a fence along 113 km of the border with Russia, as reported by VNĪ board member Jeļena Gavrilova.
With price surveys for the construction of the fence along 124 km of the border over, contracts in eight lots (64.9 km) out of 14 will be signed with four companies – Citrus Solutions LLC, HAGBERG Construction LLC, NORDES būve LLC, and Latvian Road Maintenance SJSC. The total price of these eight lots is EUR 50.2 million (with VAT).
“Considering all the conditions, including the type of terrain along the border, we are generally satisfied with the rate of the project. We expect contracts to be signed for the remaining sections of the Latvian-Russian border in the coming months. We also expect active construction work to commence once weather conditions permit,” explains Gavrilova.
Design work has commenced on two priority sections of the border. These will be handled by Citrus Solutions and HAGBERG Construction. Actual construction work is planned to commence in spring.
Wednesday, the 31st of January, marked the end of a repeated price survey in a total of six lots. Seven contenders submitted their offers. These are the most complicated sections in marshy areas, where it will be necessary to find balance between fence-related solutions and costs. Therefore, the procurement of construction work provides for the option to submit several variants of the tender with three different solutions for the construction of the fence in the marshy areas, VNĪ notes.
“When building border protection infrastructure on the Latvian-Russian border, VNĪ took into account the experience gained from working in marshy areas along the Latvian-Belarusian border. We want to establish an innovative and long-lasting pontoon solution with a fence that will last at least 50 years. However, much will depend on available resources. It’s for a good reason that the contenders in the repeated price survey are invited to submit offers for multiple options – so that we can pick the most appropriate both security and cost-wise,” stresses VNĪ board member.
Talks with National Armed Forces regarding an inter-sectoral agreement for the establishment of a fence along specific sections of the border.
To avoid unnecessary delays, VNĪ announced the first price survey for the procurement of raw materials on the 26th of January. Submission of offers will remain possible until the 9th of February 2024.
Soon enough several more surveys will be announced for the construction procedure, because in this effort VNĪ operates as a general contractor, ensuring the management of construction works, supervision of construction and will be responsible for the progress of the construction process.
On the 6th of February the Cabinet of Ministers permitted VNĪ to take responsibility for the construction of the fence along the previously unprotected section of the border. The financial commitment is EUR 50.2 million (with VAT). The government also permitted the company to sign an inter-sectoral agreement with National Armed Forces for the construction of 20 km of the border.
The Latvian-Russian border is 283.6 km long. Currently VNĪ’s priority is completing the border infrastructure and construction of a fence along sections of the border where is no at the moment. Construction of the fence could be completed by the end of 2024. Completion of the remaining infrastructure is planned for the end of 2025.
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Four companies to build a fence on Latvian-Russian border
