The Central Financing and Contracting Department (CFCD) of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of North Macedonia has awarded a €1.06 million contract to Eptisa Servicios de Ingeniería S.L. (Spain), further demonstrating the country's dedication to sustainable urban infrastructure. The project entails overseeing the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as well as the Municipality of Bitola's sewer network rehabilitation and upgrade.
Summary and Scope of the Project
The awarded contract, which is a component of a larger project funded by the EU, is centred on managing important projects to update Bitola's wastewater treatment systems. Throughout the construction phase and the Defects Notification Period (DNP), Eptisa, the consultant, will be in charge of quality control, design verification, work progress supervision, expense analysis, and administrative coordination. The 39-month contract indicates a sustained commitment to enhancing environmental infrastructure in southern North Macedonia.
Contract Specifics and the Purchasing Procedure
Twelve requests to participate and six final tenders were submitted, demonstrating the high level of international interest in the restricted tender process. Prominent European and regional engineering consultancies like GKW Consult GmbH (Germany), Hill International N.V. (Netherlands), SUEZ Consulting (France), and Temelsu International Engineering (Turkey) were among the eight companies that made the short list.
Following a thorough evaluation process, Eptisa was selected with an 80:20 quality-to-price ratio, which reflects the government's focus on sustainable project delivery and technical excellence. The final awarded amount was €1,060,260 (VAT excluded), while the initial estimated contract value was €1.3 million.
Entities Involved
Under the legal framework of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, the Ministry of Finance - CFCD oversees and manages the project, which receives partial funding from European Union structural and investment funds. The designated review authority is the National Court of North Macedonia.
Concerning the Winning Company
Eptisa Servicios de Ingeniería S.L. is a renowned Spanish engineering and consulting firm that was founded in Madrid and focuses on water management, infrastructure, and the environment. Eptisa has a strong track record of completing infrastructure projects funded by the EU and has vast experience in both emerging and European markets. Another significant turning point in the company's growth in the Western Balkans, where it has backed comparable municipal and regional development initiatives, is its involvement in Bitola.
Strategic Significance
The modernisation of North Macedonia's environmental infrastructure has advanced significantly with this project. Bitola will improve ecological resilience, public health, and compliance with EU environmental standards by upgrading the current sewerage system and increasing wastewater treatment capacity. This is a critical step towards the country's EU accession goals.
In Summary
The foundation for a cleaner, more sustainable Bitola is laid by the oversight contract given to Eptisa. The project is anticipated to provide major environmental, social, and economic advantages as construction moves forward over the course of the following three years, enhancing urban sanitation and advancing regional development objectives.
