Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) has received prequalification documents from contractors for the estimated AED10bn ($2.7bn) contract to build the substructure for Concourse 1 and the West Terminal Building at Al-Maktoum International airport.

Firms are understood to have submitted their references on an individual basis, although it is likely that contractors will form joint ventures (JV) due to the project’s size.

Some of the region’s largest contracting companies have already started preliminary JV talks.

In terms of quantities, the construction work is expected to include about 5 million cubic metres of concrete and 1 million tonnes of steel.

In June, DAEP awarded the enabling works contract for Concourse 1, the West Terminal building and car parks at Al-Maktoum International to local firm Tristar.

The enabling works for Concourse 1, the West Terminal and car park buildings require 20 million cubic metres of excavation and 6,000 piles.

For Concourse 1, the works involve open excavation up to 18.3 metres deep, piling and temporary dewatering and linking tunnels. Altogether, Concourse 1 covers an area of about 910,000 square metres (sq m) and requires about 5,000 piles.

For the West Terminal building, short-term car park, super gates and staff car park, the works involve excavation to a depth of 13.25 metres, piling and temporary dewatering.

The current scope covers an area equivalent to about 230,000 sq m for the West Terminal building, 242,000 sq m for the staff car park, and 223,352 sq m for the short-term car park. In total, there will be 1,000 piles.

DAEP is also prequalifying firms for design and supervision consultancy services for the airport expansion. Tender documents are expected to be issued imminently.

In 2016, DAEP signed several packages for the $33bn upgrade of Al-Maktoum International.

The awarded contracts include:

• Construction of aprons adjacent to the passenger terminal building: National Wheel J&P; $163m
• Enabling works: Tristar (local)
• Infrastructure package: Lane (US) / National Contracting & Transportation Company (local); $125m

Several other contracts have been tendered. They include the baggage handling system, tunnel structure and automated people mover.