CDA extends Capital House bidding deadline by 15 days

ISLAMABAD - The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has extended the deadline for submission of bids for the construction of Capital House by 15 days, giving prospective bidders additional time to finalise their designs and complete the required technical work. The project, estimated to cost Rs3.2 billion, is to be executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, subject to confirmation of the terminology used in the tender documents. Bids were initially scheduled to be submitted in the first week of October. The deadline was subsequently extended to October 12 before the authority granted a further extension until October 27, marking the second revision to the bidding schedule. The CDA plans to develop Capital House along the lines of the existing provincial houses of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in Islamabad. The project is intended to provide dedicated accommodation and associated facilities, replacing the need for fragmented arrangements. AI deception, fake identities at heart of student death probe According to the original PC-I, the project is expected to be completed within two years. Preliminary plans envisage around 100 rooms of different categories, together with facilities associated with a four-star establishment. However, as the project is being undertaken under the EPC model, the final design, exact number of rooms and range of facilities will be determined through the project development and procurement process. CDA Director General Infrastructure Haider Ali told The Nation that the deadline had been extended at the request of prospective bidders who needed more time to finalise their designs and complete other project-related work. IHC reserves verdict on federal appeal over trade officers' appointments He said the authority would evaluate the proposed designs and financial bids after receiving the submissions before awarding the contract in accordance with the applicable procurement requirements. The extension is intended to give interested firms additional time to prepare their proposals for the multi-billion-rupee project. Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) failed to sell five hotel plots in Islamabad after its auction attracted a limited response from investors, with bids received for only one site, according to sources. Sources said only five participants had registered for the auction, while just one plot attracted a bid. The offer reportedly exceeded the reserve price by only Rs5,000. The CDA rejected the bid, citing a lack of competition, leaving all five hotel plots unsold. Investors expressed concern over the reserve prices, arguing that rates exceeding Rs1.9 million per square yard were too high. They maintained that the plots should instead be valued at no more than Rs1.3 million per square yard. IHC seeks replies over planned Islamabad cricket stadium The CDA had scheduled the auction of five hotel plots for Monday and planned to offer seven petrol pump sites on Tuesday. The two-day exercise was intended to put a range of commercial properties in the capital up for open auction. The hotel plots included Plot No. 22 in D-12 Markaz; Convention Centre Hotel Plot No. 6 and Five-Star Hotel Plot No. 8 in F-5/1; a hotel plot in the Northern Strip of E-11; and a site along Srinagar Highway between the Sports Complex and Margalla Hotel. Meanwhile, the auction of seven petrol pump sites was scheduled for Tuesday and was restricted to registered oil marketing companies (OMCs). The sites were located along Murree Road near Lake View Park, in Blue Area, F-10, I-12 Markaz, G-8 Markaz, G-8/1 and G-11/1. The CDA planned to offer all seven locations as a single package on a 20-year lease. The outcome of the hotel-plot auction left the authority without a sale from the five sites offered, while the scheduled auction of the petrol pump locations was due to proceed separately. Karachi administration decides to launch crackdown on illegal billboards Tags: