The Punjab Food Department has launched a new request for qualification (RFQ) for the Bulk Multi-Grain Storage and Handling Facility PPP project in Punjab, Pakistan.

The Punjab Food Department is working together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The IFC is acting as Transaction Advisor for the project.

In March 2012, a Request for Qualification (RFQ) was launched. Seven companies were shortlisted, but none of the bidders submitted a final bid for the project. The companies shortlisted at that time were the following:

1) Matco Rice (Pvt) Ltd.2) Khwaja Bashir Group Consortium3) Pak-Turk Consortium (Elba Engineering, Ghulam Rasool & Co, CIFT)4) Sadiq Feeds (Pvt) Ltd.5) Fauji Akbar Portia & China Harbour Engineering Company Consortium6) Chawalwallas Consortium - (Meskay & Femtee Trading Company, Garibsons (Pvt) Ltd., MM Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd., YB Pakistan Ltd., andConwill Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.7) Multi-Grain Consortium (Republic Engineering Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., Builders Associates (Pvt) Ltd., and Services Industries Ltd.) conditional prequalfication.

The project was subsequently cancelled and a new tender process has been initiated.

The project will be developed on a build, finance and operation (BFO) basis for a period of 22 years, 2 of them for the construction. Interested companies must submit the pre-qualification applications on or before March 27, 2014.

The project involves the construction of a 50,000metric tonnes bulk multi grain storage. The key objectives for the project include: increasing grain storage capacity in the province with modern grain cleaning and handling systems; reducing inefficiencies and avoidable costs occurring in the existing wheat supply value chain; delivering better quality wheat to millers and other consumers; introducing the concept of protein based segregation of wheat; encouraging greater private sector investment in storage and handling of grain; and enhancing the Government's ability to provide long-term food security.