Islamabad Property news : Firms fail to design Park Enclave

ISLAMABAD – In a major development not even a single out of four pre-qualified firms for designing and building of Park Enclave - a Capital Development Authority’s housing project in Zone IV of the federal capital - has technically qualified to execute the project, TheNation has learnt reliably.

“No firm succeeded to obtain required marks against their technical bids (specifically designed of the project). Though results of technical bids are yet to be announced by Nespak - the consultant firm for the project - they have conveyed us the same,” said a concerned official wishing not to be named. Another higher official confirmed the development, saying the city managers are seriously considering to withdraw original idea of development of Park Enclave on design and build basis. “Now in the backdrop of this unexpected development we are planning to design the project on our own or will hire some firm for the purpose,” he informed.

The official further added that it is yet to be decided that either CDA would design the project or would give design contract to Nespak - but it is confirmed CDA has shifted from the idea of execution of this project on design and build basis.

Chairman CDA Engineer Farkhand Iqbal with talking to TheNation confirmed that there was no advancement over the issue. “If we reinitiate the process of hiring a consultant firm and consequently the pre-qualification of construction firms than the whole process would take not less than another six-month, while the project is already delayed” Farkhand said.

He said some technical mistakes were committed by his predecessors while launching this project. “We have promised too much facilities but when it comes to materialise so it seems impossible.” However, he expressed hope that issue would be resolved soon.

Park Enclave - an environment friendly and state-of-the-art housing project along Park Road consisting of 700 housing units was announced by the Authority on May 3, 2011, while it was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on July 5, 2011. Nespak was hired as consultant firm for the project by CDA. On November 4, 2011Nespak has pre-qualified four firms for the project out of 15 firms, which had submitted document of interest with the Authority.

The pre-qualified firms have submitted their technical bids with the Authority on January 5, 2012. The documents of technical bids were handed over to Nespak, for evaluation of bids documents. As per CDA rules, the technical evaluation contains 80 percent weight while the financial evaluation adds 20 percent to total score.

But specifically for Park Enclave project, the technical evaluation was given 70 percent weight while financial evaluation 30 percent, as financial aspect involving the project was of great important.

The bidders obtaining 60 percent in the technical evaluation were supposed to qualify for the next step. Now Nespak has conveyed to CDA that no firm succeed to get 60 percent in the technical evaluation, forcing the Authority to go withdraw its original idea of execution of project on design and build basis.

Delay, for one reason or the other, in proper execution of development work of approximately Rs 4 billion Park Enclave project has already continuously been adding to the fast sinking credibility of the Authority in terms of provision of housing facilities to residents.

The Authority bosses have claimed at the time of announcing this project that it would be completed within a stipulated time of one-year. Since nine-month have been lapsed and now the Authority came to know that no firm is capable to launch this project.