Qatar Railways is inviting contractors to prequalify for the systems package on the Doha metro.

Contractors have until 7 February to submit their prequalification documents.

The scope of the contract includes the provision of power supply, communications, tunnel ventilation and control systems for the planned metro network.

Expressions of interest were submitted in early December, followed by the launch of the prequalification process on 3 January.

The tendering of the systems package follows the submission of the bids for the tunnelling works for the Doha metro last year. Bids for the Golden and Green line were submitted at the end of November. Bids went in for the Red Line North and South in October and the stations package bids were received in mid-November.

Tunnelling and stations contracts are not expected to be awarded until the second quarter of 2013.

Qatar’s ambitious rail and metro projects are gaining momentum as the country strives to improve its infrastructure in the run-up to the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Qatar Railways is pushing ahead with its high-speed passenger and freight rail lines having issued a request for proposal (RFP) for consultancy services on the rail project at the end of December. Contractors have until 24 February to submit their bids.