Two teams vie for Khalifa University PPP contract
31 January 2024
Bid clarifications are under way for a contract to develop and operate 3,250-bed student accommodation facilities and associated facilities at Khalifa University (KU) in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.
MEED understands two teams submitted proposals to develop the project in November. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) tendered it as a public-private partnership (PPP) project in January last year.
According to sources close to the project, the bidding teams are understood to include:
- Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia) / Alghanim International (Kuwait) / Al Dar (local)
- Besix (Besix) / Plenary (Australia)
The project covers Khalifa University’s main and Sas al-Nakhl campuses. The project is being procured under a build-operate-transfer model.
The project’s overall construction and operation period is 23 years from the date of financial close.
MEED Projects estimates the project to cost at least $300m.
The project will be executed by a special-purpose vehicle that is 100% owned by the successful bidder.
The PPP scheme is a key part of the research-intensive university’s ten-year strategic growth plan to enhance its built estate and provide on-campus student premises.
Khalifa University is the procuring authority, while Adio is the central Abu Dhabi government authority in charge of facilitating, developing and procuring all infrastructure projects delivered through the emirate’s PPP framework.
Photo: Pixabay
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