The bidders on the project are the UK's Black & Veatch Consulting, the US' Kuljian Corporation, Fichtnerand Lahmeyer International- both of Germany - and the local Al-Bawardi Consulting Engineers. It is understood that the international firms are required to bid in partnership with local partners.

The successful bidder will be required to provide its services in two phases. Under phase 1, the consultant will carry out a study to determine the eventual scope of the expansion of the plants, each of which has capacity to treat 4,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d) of water. Pending the outcome of the study, the client will then decide whether capacity is doubled or new facilities added at the existing sites. Phase 2 will require the consultant to provide engineering services, prepare tender documents and evaluate bids.

On another scheme, SWCC is understood to be close to signing a contract with Black & Veatch to provide consultancy services on the construction of five small-scale desalination plants, also in the Western Province. At SR 2.95 million ($790,000), the UK firm submitted the lowest price, which was followed by Lahmeyer at SR 4.14 million ($1.1 million). Other bidders included Al-Bawardi, Fichtner, Germany's ILF Consulting Engineersand the local Saleh Abalkhail Consultants. The five desalination plants will have capacities ranging between 3,000-22,500 cm/d (MEED 30:5:03).