ISLAMABAD: The US Army Corps of Engineer has been granted permission to build a Tactical Command and Operations Centre (TCOC) compound at the Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi to exchange information with Pakistan Customs Drug Enforcement Cell concerning smuggling activities in and around Karachi, according to documents released by US Army Corps of Engineer, Middle East District.

"US Army corps of engineer intends to solicit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to construction firms or Joint Ventures (JV) experienced in working in the Middle East region who are interested in submitting a proposal for the design and construction of tactical command and operations centre compound in Karachi", the project document says.

The compound will support the officers, staff and equipment of the Pakistan Customs Drug Enforcement Cell and Rummaging and Patrolling Sections. The project will enable coordinated quick-response to constantly evolving narcotics and contraband smuggling tactics in and around Karachi, including entire coastal line of Pakistan.

According to project details, the company which would get contract would be responsible for designing building of a two-storey Tactical Command and Operations Centre consisting of a main block and a cell/interrogation building placed separately.

The compound would be spread over an approximate area of 7,000 square feet (with a paved courtyard in the centre) and a 900sf building, respectively.

The document says the contractor must be licensed to conduct business in Pakistan. The document says this acquisition will be unrestricted, full and open, best value competition, no set-aside proposals will be evaluated and awarded based upon the best value procurement method in accordance with FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) Part 15.

The best value, lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) will be used to evaluate all proposals. The evaluation criteria will be conveyed within the RFP. One or more of the items in the project scope may appear in the solicitation as an option item. The contract will be awarded on a firm-fixed price basis only.

The tentative date for issuance of RFP is April 1, 2013 and the tentative date for receipt of proposals is May 1, 2013. The performance period will be 365 days from issuance of notice to proceed (NTP). The magnitude of this construction project is between $1million to $2million, according to the documents.

The project document says all firms must be capable of being registered to work in Pakistan, in accordance with local laws which govern Karachi and Pakistani laws and regulations.