Qatar authority suspends US consultant

14 May 2015

Aecom seeking to address ‘delivery challenges’ on two Ashghal projects

Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) issued a circular on 6 May stating that it has suspended US-based Aecom from participating in its future projects due to contractual violations.

“Aecom Middle East Company shall not be invited to participate in the PWA’s [Ashghal] projects and future dealing with it be suspended. It shall also be debarred from participating in any of the current or future tenders,” said the circular, seen by MEED.

According to Ashghal the decision was made “due to violation of its contractual obligations assigned to it in some of it’s [sic] current project with the PWA”.

Delivery challenges

Aecom says it was notified by Ashghal on 7 May that it would not be invited for future work until further notice.

It has subsequently met with senior representatives from the authority to confirm that the suspension follows delivery challenges on two landmark projects under construction for which Aecom provided design services.

“Aecom has a published action plan with Ashghal to close-out the remaining issues on these two programs working closely with the contractors. The suspension will be revisited once these actions are completed,” said Aecom in a written statement given to MEED on 13 May.  

“In the meantime the company is focused on continuing to support Ashghal in the delivery of their existing programs including Contract 2 the New Orbital Highway and Qatar Public Realm.”

Stay informed with the latest in the Middle East
Download the MEED app today, available on Apple and Android devices

A MEED Subscription...

Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.