ST. LUCIA – Saint Lucia’s new national hospital is now one step closer, with tenders being invited from suitably qualified and experienced contracting firms interested in bidding for the construction of the massive building.
The Office of the National Authorizing Officer for the European Development Fund (EDF) Operations in Saint Lucia this week published an advertisement in the Saint Lucia Government Gazette, informing interested contractors of the terms and conditions of participation in the tendering process.
The advertisement, which is also being advertised internationally in all member-states of the European Union, as well as the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries that are signatories of the Cotonou Agreement, also informs interested contractors on how to obtain the tender dossier.
But even before they submit their tenders, tendering companies and other interested parties are being invited by the NAO to an optional information meeting, which could also include a site visit, next Wednesday, August 9, 2006.
The complete tender dossier, available in hard and electronic copies, is available from the Office of the NAO on the 5th Floor of the Conway Business Centre on the Waterfront in Castries, upon payment of EC$4,250. The dossier is also available for inspection at the NAO’s Office.
Interested firms will also be required to provide a tender guarantee of 180,000 euros when submitting their tender.
The deadline for the submission of tenders is October 11, 2006 and any tenders received after that deadline will not be considered.
However, tenderers with questions for the NAO must submit them in writing at least 21 days before the deadline and their questions will be responded to by the contracting authority at least 11 days before the expiration of the deadline, which shall coincide with the public opening of the tenders.
The Government of Saint Lucia received a grant of 20.2 million euros (EC$65 million) from the 9th EDF, for the construction of the new general hospital, which will form part of the new national hospital complex already taking shape at Coubaril, off the Millennium Highway.
The objective of the project is to improve the quality, access and range of acute care general services available in Saint Lucia, by establishing a new general hospital to complement improved primary care services.
The works being tendered comprise the construction of the new hospital on 14,000 square meters in floor area and including 33 departments. The departments to be constructed include A&E, Outpatients, Acute General Wards, Operating Theatres, Radiography, Intensive Care, Special Care Baby Unit and associated support facilities.
The new national general hospital will be located next to the new national psychiatric hospital, which is already taking shape along the Millennium Highway.
The Government of Saint Lucia, which has already contributed the land and some other infrastructural costs, including the access road currently being established, is expected to eventually contribute some 7.6 million euros (or approximately EC$24 million) by the time the project is completed in 2008.
The entire project is expected to cost in the region of 28 million euros or approximately EC$93 million.
