The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has issued the third tender package on its estimated $200 million Wafra water distribution scheme. Thirteen local grade 1 contractors are prequalified to bid by 28 August for the contract, which covers the supply and installation of a 1.6-metre-diameter, 92-kilometre-long main pipeline from the data monitoring centre and wastewater treatment plant at Sulaibiya to agricultural farms at Wafra. Local contractors have until 24 July to bid for the other two packages on the scheme, covering the construction of pumping stations and the installation of a feeder network. The client is expected to award the three contracts in the autumn (MEED 27:5:05). The scheme was originally tendered as one package in early 2004, but was cancelled in March. The local United Gulf Construction Company (UGCC) was low bidder at KD 59.5 million ($205 million) for the original contract when prices were opened last summer. A team of the US' Parsons Engineering Corporationwith the local Gulf Consultis the consultant (MEED 24:9:04).