Preliminary Inquiry (PI) to identify and select companies that are interested in and capable to provide maintenance services for the water treatment plant and water transportation services for the ALMA Observatory, located close to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

The scope of the services includes 2 lots:

Lot 1: Water transportation services, including:

-    Transportation of potable water required for the operation of the Observatory from Calama and/or San Pedro de Atacama.

-    Transportation of Industrial water from Calama and/or San Pedro de Atacama to the Observatory.

Lot 2: Water treatment plant maintenance, including:

-    Operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant.

-    Sanitising of water storage tanks.

-    Corrective maintenance of the potable water distribution pipes and wastewater pipes.

-    Extraction from pits, sludge removal, cleaning of grease chambers, supply and cleaning of chemical toilets.

-    Analysis of potable and waste water according to the norm Nch 409 and NCh 1333.

-    Testing and certification of sludge from the water treatment plant.

The contract will start on the 1st of January 2021 for a firm period of 3 years, with the option to extend it by up to 2 more years.

The Preliminary Inquiry is expected to be issued in Q1 2020 to potential suppliers in Chile, and will be followed by a Call for Tender that is scheduled to be released in Q2 2020.

The contract is expected to be awarded in Q4 2020, to the Bidder, which has submitted a fully compliant Tender and offers the lowest price.