Six well-known construction firms are in contention for a keenly anticipated contract to build the iconic Oman Cultural Complex (OCC), which will serve as a national showcase of the Sultanate's rich and varied cultural heritage. In the fray for the prestigious contract, estimated to cost RO 50 million ($130 million), are Carillion Alawi LLC, Sinohydro Corporation, Galfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG, Dawood Est Trading & Contracting, Itinera SpA, and Oman Shapoorji Construction Co LLC. They were among 25 companies that had collected tender documents signaling their interest in bidding for the contract.
Technical bids were opened recently with the Tender Board listing only the six afore-mentioned firms as having submitted firm offers by the stipulated deadline. Financial bids are due to be opened upon completion of the evaluation of the technical offers, say officials.
Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Culture is overseeing the implementation of the landmark development at a sprawling site located within the upscale Airport Heights district of Muscat Governorate. Airport Heights is already home to an array of landmarks of tourist, leisure, retail and commercial significance, including the Oman Exhibition & Convention Centre, Mall of Oman, and Festival City.
Billed as a one-of-a-kind development without parallel anywhere in the Gulf region, the Oman Cultural Complex has been conceived and designed to serve as a monument to the Sultanate's vibrant cultural heritage.
Envisaged is a cluster of exquisitely designed structures that will each house an institution of national cultural significance. Notable are the National Theatre, The National Documents and Archives Authority, the National Library, the Children's Library, the Literary Forum and the Youth Art Club. A mammoth perforated canopy, covering an area of 40,000 sq meters, will be erected over this cluster to give the Complex its signature appeal.
Assisting the Ministry in the design and engineering aspects of the project is a panel of international and local firms, notably AS Architecture-Studio — Architects; Gulf Engineering Consultancy — Co-architects; Engineering SETEC Bâtiment; Acoustics — AVA; and Environmental consultancy — Eco-Cités. UK-based international consultancy and construction firm Mace is the Project and Cost Management services provider for the project.
A contract award is likely to be announced in the first half of 2015.
Oman Daily Observer
2 January
