The municipality of Taubate in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Ecotaubaté Ambiental S/A have achieved commercial closure for the development of a water treatment system though the public private partnership (PPP) model.

Several firms submitted interest in the project but only two teams were finally shortlisted.

Ecotaubaté Ambiental S/A is a consortium composed of Construtora Marquise S/A and Fortnort​ Desenvolvimento Ambiental e Urbano Ltda. The team submitted the best bid, which includes a monthly payment of R$5.83 million (US$1.6 million). 

The project involves the construction and development of a municipal water treatment system with further provisions for urban waste management and cleaning services. The contract agreement is for a period of 30 years.

The tender process was suspended twice. In May 2015 we reported that Sao Paulo state court suspended the tender process for the project. The proposals had to be received last 27 May but the tender process was canceled a day before.

Previously, in July 2014 we announced that Sao Paulo state court had canceled for the first time the tender process. At that time, the decision was made due to the fact that different groups challenged the process because the tender documents were not very complete. They didn't include an investment estimated value and prevented teams of companies from bidding together in association.

Taubate is a medium-sized city located between the two most important Brazilian cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.  It has a population of approximately 305,000 inhabitants in an area of 625.00 km2.