Optimizing tendering processes and timeline forecasting for high-voltage substation and transmission line projects in Power Grid Bangladesh PLC

Abstract

This has proven to be both necessary to the economic growth of the country since the expansion of the national electricity transmission system is reliable, but many projects by Power grid Bangladesh PLC have been faced with significant schedule overruns. This dissertation discusses the institutional and procedural causes of delays in tendering and timeline prediction. The research design used is a mixedmethod design, which triangulates data relating to the stakeholder surveys and interviews of two detailed practical project case studies: (i) the IDB and ADB-funded Grid Network Development Project and (ii) the World Bank-funded ECGSTL Project, which are supported by the review of the international best practices. The results of the case studies show that unrealistic DPP schedules, price-oriented (L1) assessments that promote underbidding, limited design and purchase capacity, and external constraints (land/Right-of-Way, seasonal disruptions, manufacturing and shipping lead times and donor approvals) continue to lengthen the implementation schedule 20-200% of the initial schedule. The study suggests a reform model including probabilistic scheduling (e.g., PERT and Monte Carlo simulations), a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) model with weighted technical and financial requirements to evaluate competence and previous performance, organized capacity building, progress monitoring with the use of PMIS, milestone-based flow of funds, and active coordination of the stakeholders. All these are meant to change the administrative fixed planning to an analytical forecasted planning to align the practices of the Power Grid to the direction of the international development banks like ADB, World Bank, JICA, and KfW on value of money and implementation based on risks. The research adds a useful, locally customized template to enhance predictability and quality of the public power transmission projects in Bangladesh.