URA accepts 9 bids for Hillview Rise site

An analyst noted the interest in the site is positive despite technical evaluation requirements.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) received nine tender submissions containing concept proposals for the 14,269.1 sqm Hillview Rise. The concept proposals will be first evaluated by a Concept Evaluation Committee.

JLL research & consultancy national director Ong Teck Hui noted that URA set up the evaluation in order to raise construction productivity outcomes higher than those achieved by methods of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) technologies that are used for sites sold under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme.

Ong noted that the interest level in the subject site is positive since quite a number of parties are prepared to compete for the site even if a "fairly technical" construction productivity plan takes up 75% of the evaluation criteria. “This criterion takes into account the overall construction productivity concept and level of prefabrication and integration across architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing works,” he explained.

“The construction background and experience of many of the tenderers explains their interest in the tender notwithstanding a more protracted bidding process,” he added.

However, the level of participation is only considered fair as it does not immediately indicate strong interest or dampened demand due to the concept and price tender nor the complexities of the requirements.

Ong said, “In the previous tenders in the Hillview area, the Hillview Peak site had 7 bidders in March 2012 whilst The Hiller's parcel was contested by 12 parties in April 2011. During the last concept and price tender for the Holland Village mixed-use site in March 2018, 15 concept submissions were made by 10 tenderers reflecting higher interest due to the site's location.”

“The participation level in this tender also shows firm demand for sites by developers notwithstanding many sites being clinched in both collective/en bloc sales and GLS in recent times,” he added.

URA said that at the second stage of evaluation, the price envelopes of the proposals with acceptable concepts will be opened for consideration. “The site will then be awarded to the tenderer with the highest bid price amongst those with acceptable concept proposals,” it added.