Astad, the project management arm of Qatar Petroleum (QP), has received bids from contractors for the estimated QR2bn ($548m) contract to build the new Qatar National Museum.

The bidders include:

• Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) (Athens-based)
• Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Impregilo (Italy) and Qatar Arabian Construction Company (ACC) (Lebanon)
• Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P Overseas) (Cyprus)
• Six Construct (Belgium) and Midmac Contracting Company (local)

The successful bidder will build the museum’s steel superstructure and install the cladding and glazing on the building’s exterior. It will also complete the mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, along with some fit-out work inside the building and landscaping work outside (MEED 4:3:11).

Construction work on the project was originally expected to be completed by October 2012, with the opening scheduled for November 2013 when all of the other work on the project is completed.

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum will be built on two plots of land next to the existing Qatar National Museum. The two plots on the corniche cover an area of about 150,000 square metres, separated by Al-Muthaf Road.

Most of the old museum will be demolished, but the old palace building that was used by Qatar’s ruling family in the early 20th century will remain as part of the new museum complex.

QP is managing the construction of the project on behalf of Qatar Museum Authority.