US-based Hill International has submitted the low bid for a contract to provide consultancy services for the construction of Oman University.

In addition to a new university, which will be built alongside the Science & Technology City on a 12-square-kilometre site near Barka, the project will feature a science park, a convention centre, student activity centres, a student sports complex, a community centre and a market complex.

The selected consultant will be required to administer, coordinate and supervise all activities associated with the masterplan, design, procurement, construction and initial operation of the university.

In January, seven companies submitted technical bids for the tender, which was issued in October and opened on 30 December. A total of 32 firms had registered their interest in participating in the tender. 

On 22 April, the tender board opened financial bids for the deal. Hill International and Lebanon’s Dar al-Handasah each submitted three financial bids, with the prices as follows:

• Hill International - RO741,810 ($1.9m)
• Hill International - RO5.2m
• Hill International - RO5.9m
• Dar al-Handasah - RO1.6m
• Dar al-Handasah - RO13.2m
• Dar al-Handasah - RO14.8m

Several local and international firms are also bidding for separate deals to provide consultancy services in masterplanning consultancy, and academic and administrative strategy development for the project.

The university scheme will be among a raft of developments planned within the Barka Corridor Development Zone, which will also include industrial estates, residential, commercial and recreational developments, and a rapid light rail system.