Four of the five companies shortlisted submitted bids by the 5 December deadline for the contract to provide management services to state-owned Oman Wastewater Services Company (OWSC) on the estimated $1,000 million Muscat wastewater project. They are Saur International, Suez Environment and Generale des Eaux, all of France, and the UK's Severn Trent International. The duration of the contract is five years, with an optional extension of three years. The next construction package to be tendered on the scheme, due to be issued for bid in early 2006, will be the catchment collection, treated water redistribution networks and sewage treatment plants covering the Seef area (MEED 21:10:05).