Chubu Regional Development Bureau tenders two steel superstructure projects

Chubu Regional Development Bureau (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) published a notice in the Official Gazette dated September 17, 2026, regarding the qualifications of competitive participants as a Special Construction Joint Venture for two projects: the FY2026 No. 1 Ise Bridge Ibi River Steel Superstructure Work and the FY2026 Kumano Road Kumano Miyagawa Hashimoto Line Bridge Steel Superstructure Work. The notice was issued under the name of Taku Nishimura, Director-General of the Chubu Regional Development Bureau. The delivery of bid explanation documents is scheduled from the date of notice until November 10, 2026, with the bid opening scheduled for January 18, 2027. Both projects are subject to electronic bidding and electronic contracting, and bidding will be conducted following the verification of qualifications for participation as a joint venture.

Ise Bridge Steel Superstructure Work: A Large-Scale Project Spanning the Ibi River

The work for the Ise Bridge is located in Fukushima-cho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, with a construction length of L=510m, involving the erection of a 6-span continuous non-composite steel box girder bridge (bridge length L=436m). The scope of work is as follows:

• Factory fabrication work: 1 set
• Factory product transport work: 1 set
• Steel bridge erection work: 1 set
• On-site bridge painting work: 1 set
• Bridge accessory work: 1 set
• RC pier work: 1 set
• Steel bridge scaffolding installation work: 1 set

The construction period is from the day following the contract conclusion date until February 28, 2030. A “flex-period” is adopted, allowing the contractor to arbitrarily set the start and end dates within the overall construction period, with a pre-margin period established. The other project, the Kumano Road Kumano Miyagawa Hashimoto Line Bridge Steel Superstructure Work, is located in Otomari-cho, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, with a construction length of L=400m, targeting a 5-span continuous non-composite steel box girder bridge (bridge length L=331m).

Bidding Procedure Schedule and Application Period

The procedure schedule provided by the Chubu Regional Development Bureau is as follows:

• Delivery period for bid explanation documents: September 17, 2026, to November 10, 2026 (excluding holidays)
• Application period for competitive participation qualification verification: September 18, 2026, to October 2, 2026 (daily from 10:00 to 16:00 excluding holidays; until 12:00 on the final day)
• Acceptance period for technical documents (qualification verification materials), technical proposals, and bids: November 9, 2026, 10:00 to November 10, 2026, 12:00
• Bid opening date and time: January 18, 2027, 10:00 (Ise Bridge), 11:00 on the same day (Kumano Road)
• Acceptance period for bid bond payments, etc.: October 5, 2026, to January 15, 2027 (until December 24, 2026, in the case of providing interest-bearing government bonds)

Applications will be accepted from September 18 to October 2, 2026; in unavoidable circumstances, applications will be accepted as needed after October 3, but the final deadline is November 10, 2026. Submission of documents and bidding shall be conducted via the electronic bidding system; if the system is difficult to use, the paper bidding method may be used with the consent of the ordering party.

Pilot Projects Incorporating Productivity Improvement and Environmental Measures

These projects are subject to numerous pilot systems.

• Construction projects utilizing BIM/CIM (Employer-specified type)
• Recommended model projects utilizing the Construction Career Up System
• Productivity improvement challenges, post-contract VE method, progress payment method, comprehensive unit price individual agreement method
• Supervision services utilizing ISO9001 certification, correction of site management costs contributing to heatstroke prevention
• Provision of part of the estimate reference materials (Construction Condition Specification Checklist, Rough Construction Schedule)
• Mandatory separate demolition and recycling of specified construction material waste based on the Construction Material Recycling Law (Act No. 104 of 2000)

During the pre-buffer period, the placement of managing engineers etc. is not required; while the delivery of materials to the site and the installation of temporary structures are prohibited, office work that does not involve site operations, such as arranging equipment and materials or contracting with subcontractors, is permitted.

Contact Information and Procurement Details

• Department in Charge: Chubu Regional Development Bureau, General Affairs Department, Contract Division, Investigation Section (Nagoya Joint Government Building No. 2, 2-5-1 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 460-8514)
• Phone: 052-953-8138
• Email Address: cbr-shikaku@mlit.go.jp
• Procurement Agency Number: 020, Location Number: 23

Impact on the Construction Industry

Both projects are large-scale steel superstructure projects involving the improvement and renewal of bridges on arterial roads within Mie Prefecture, providing an opportunity for construction companies specializing in the fabrication and erection of steel bridges to secure orders. The deadline for applying for qualification as a joint venture is October 2, 2026, and the acceptance of bids is from November 9 to November 10, 2026. Interested operators should check the procedures via the electronic bidding system early.

Source: Chubu Regional Development Bureau “Public Notice Regarding Qualifications for Competitive Participants” (September 17, 2026, Official Gazette Extra Government Procurement, Director General of Chubu Regional Development Bureau, Taku Nishimura)