The Ministry of Public Works and Water Management has awarded the contract for the multi-year maintenance of the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal to the Aqua Optimum combination. The contract, valued at 33 million euros and lasting 5 years (with a possible extension of 2 years), involves the management of the waterways Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, Lekkanaal, and Merwedekanaal, along with the associated locks and bridges.
Collaboration
Starting December 1, 2025, the combination will be responsible for the maintenance, monitoring, operation, and performance of the wet areas of Rijkswaterstaat in Utrecht, extending from Amsterdam to Tiel. Through intensive collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat, Aqua Optimum minimizes disruptions for both shipping and road traffic.
New Way of Collaborating: Asset Management at a Higher Level
For this assignment, Rijkswaterstaat has chosen a new way of collaborating. Therefore, all submissions for the maintenance contract were evaluated based on collaboration and asset management aspects. This new maintenance contract operates slightly differently than traditional performance contracts: experts from both the client and contractor jointly determine the maintenance needs. This is done based on asset data (performance, risks, and costs). This way, we manage maintenance quickly and effectively together and elevate asset management to a higher level.
The combination distinguishes itself by working on successful chain collaboration, improving asset data, and data-driven maintenance. Maintenance frequencies for green, civil, and lubrication regimes are also optimized. Additionally, the Aqua Optimum combination, together with Rijkswaterstaat, ensures effective collaboration with subcontractors and suppliers.
Best Assessment Based on Collaboration and Sustainability
The Aqua Optimum combination emerged as the best in the assessment of the submission, distinguishing itself from other bidders with the highest BPKV scores (Best Price Quality Ratio) and the lowest MKI value (quality value that provides insight into the environmental costs of a project).
Care Maintenance
Under the contract, Aqua Optimum performs care maintenance in the fields of electrical engineering and industrial automation, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and green space management. The tasks include: inspection and monitoring, standard maintenance, variable maintenance, remedying defects, performing repairs, handling emergencies, and providing advice for operational management.
Contract BOC MNZ (VOUNA)
The contract is named: Basic Maintenance Contract Middle Netherlands cluster A - waterways South (BOC MNZ) for care maintenance for the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal (VOUNA). It is a UAV GCI 2019 contract and starts on December 1, 2025, with a duration of 5 years, and a chance of extension for another 2 years.
Area and Objects
The area includes the entire main navigation network and main water system of RWS Service Middle Netherlands district South, excluding Beatrixsluis. It concerns the waterways Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, Lekkanaal, and Merwedekanaal and associated locks and bridges.