Bidding process initiated for U.S.-Mexico international crossing and bridge project study

The bid process is open to firms from any country. Firms interested in participating must submit a proposal no later than May 15, 2014. To qualify for the contract award, the key personnel coordinating the study must have U.S.-Mexico binational experience, as well as experience with similar studies in the border region over the past five years.

This study is being carried out as follow-up to the resolution approved by the NADB Board of Directors in November 2013, regarding collaboration on certain aspects of the work plan related to the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), including an infrastructure project planning study for ports of entry and potential mechanisms to finance them.

As a result of the meeting between Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto in May 2013, the two governments initiated the HLED to promote and strengthen economic growth, the creation of jobs and global competitiveness.

The Mexican and U.S. Governments have made the development of new border infrastructure a high priority. For this reason, NADB is working in coordination with the Mexican Ministry of Communication and Transportation (SCT) and the Mexican infrastructure grant fund, FONADIN, through an interagency agreement whereby the entities are contributing equally to the financing of the study, which will help both governments map priority border crossings projects, review the processes of the government agencies involved in implementing international ports of entry and evaluate the degree of difficulty in funding such projects.

The study results will be uploaded to an information technology (IT) system created as part of the study, which will allow federal authorities in both countries to follow-up on the status of port of entry projects.