The Administration Wing has today invited the four prequalified tenderers to submit tenders for the design-and-build contract of the Tamar Development Project. Commencement of the tender exercise marks a major milestone for the project.

The contract is expected to run for 39 months, and the Government aims to complete the project around the end of 2010. The deadline for tenders is January 26, 2007.

The tender document comprises 15 volumes spanning 6,000 pages. It spells out the project's overall design objectives, the conditions of tender, the basis for tender evaluation, and the architectural, structural, building services and planning requirements.

The project calls for an aesthetically-pleasing design that blends naturally with the Central cityscape, enhances the appeal and vibrancy of the harbourfront area, and is in harmony with the ridgeline of Hong Kong Island.

The design should also convey Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city - dynamic, sophisticated and cosmopolitan, and should be functional, sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The Government has volunteered to limit the development's maximum height. It has specified the height shall allow for at least a 20% 'building-free zone' below the ridgeline.

Environmental friendliness key

To reduce development intensity, the Government has trimmed the scale of the Central Government Complex development, and the plot ratio of the entire development is expected to be around 5.7, much lower than adjacent existing commercial developments' comparable plot ratios ranging from around 13 to 18.

The Government is committed to enhancing the environmental friendliness of the project. It asks tenderers to optimise the use of renewable resources, sustainable design, green features, advanced building technologies and energy-efficient building services systems for the project.

Given the overriding need to safeguard the integrity and fairness of the tender process, the Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project, which Chief Secretary Rafael Hui chairs, will be the sole and final authority for assessing and marking tenders and deciding on the award of contract. 

Quality considerations represent 60% of score

The board will assess the tender submissions on the basis of a comprehensive list of criteria. The quality considerations will take up 60% of the overall score. These include the design and aesthetic aspects; planning, sustainability and environmental aspects; and functional and technical aspects. Price considerations will take up the remaining 40%.

As an exceptional arrangement for this unique project, the Government will arrange for the public to view the tender design schemes after the close of tenders. Views collected will be analysed by an independent consultant and presented to the board for consideration. Details will be announced at a later stage.

The four prequalified tenderers are (in alphabetical order):

* China State - Leighton - Yau Lee joint venture;

* DHK - CRCC Tamar joint venture;

* Gammon - Hip Hing joint venture; and