Endorsed by: The Nigerian Institute of Architects#2 Kukawa Street, Off Gimbiya St., Area 11, Garki II, Abuja
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Architectural Design Competition Notice / Call for Candidature
Federal Capital Territory Administration, No. 1 Kapital Street, PMB 24, Area 11 Abuja

Click to Download Application Form 

DESIGN CONTEST NOTICE
International architectural design competition for the New City Gate for the Capital City of Abuja, Nigeria

Two stage architectural design competition with an application/selection process in advance (Expression of Interest), following which qualified architects would participate in an anonymous design competition for the award of architectural services. 

I. CONTRACTING AUTHORITY/ENTITY
I.1) NAME, ADDRESSES AND CONTACT POINT(S)
Federal Capital Territory Administration (Government Ministry Agency)  
(hereafter referred to as Rgd) 
No. 1 Kapital Street
PMB 24
Area 11, Abuja,
FCT, Nigeria

I.2) TYPE OF THE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND MAIN ACTIVITY OR ACTIVITIES (contest covered by the relevant instrument) National or federal agency/office.

II: OBJECT OF THE DESIGN CONTEST/DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
II.1) DESCRIPTION
II.1.1) Title attributed to the design contest/project by the contracting authority/ entity. Two stage architectural design competition with an open application/ selection process in advance (Expression of Interest), following which qualified architects would participate in an anonymous design competition for the award of architectural services in line with the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Guidelines.

II.1.2) Short Description
The existing City Gate for Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City was erected as a temporary edifice in the wake of movement of the seat of Federal Government from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, to serve the purpose of a ceremonial pavilion, and to also symbolise the ceremonial entrance of the then Federal Government Administration, at the then City limits. The conception of the gate also precluded the symbolism of conveying cultural heritage of the Nigerian Nation, or depicting Abuja as a centre of unity as envisioned by the founding fathers, all of which was not portrayed from the design and outlook. Relocation of the City Gate to a more appropriate and permanent location was to be given due consideration whenever it became auspicious to do so.

The aim of this project is to construct a new City Gate at a site 24.7 Km from the present City Gate. In meeting the project’s functional requirements of city beautification, tourism enhancement, development of culture, with boundary and territorial demarcation, the inherent design challenge is to create a unique symbol of the Federal Capital that would be a landmark of international recognition.

The project seeks to provide an appropriate city monument for the Capital City of Abuja. It would thus incorporate an observatory tower, and among other requirements, accommodate a ceremonial arcade for executive/ protocol functions, a central square with provision for controlled/ light commercial activities, recreational/ picnic spots, and an artificial lake. Development is expected to proceed in phases over time in line with a strategic implementation schedule.

An international architectural design competition will take place in order to select the most outstanding concept for this unique project for which this is a call for candidature. The competition is organised by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It is a two stage architectural design competition that begins with an Expression of Interest, following which qualified architects would participate in an anonymous design competition.

II.1.3) Language (BPP SRFP), Section C. 14.I

III: LEGAL, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
III.1) CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS
III.1.1 General The selection will be made exclusively on the basis of the information and declarations in the application form and the images on (reference) project/s submitted by the applicants (see below), and exclusively by the following formal and professional criteria:

All documents must be submitted in English; all information provided in languages other than English will not be considered.

Applications which do not use the provided forms will not be accepted.

If it is subsequently discovered that any of the participants is not in compliance with any of the requirements, the Rgd and the Cient (FCTA) are entitled within their respective responsibility to exclude the concerned participant from the competition and further award stages and to annul, if need be, the award of a prize or contract.

III.1.2 Formal Criteria The following are qualified for participation:

Allowed to participate are individual persons who are authorised to use the professional title ‘Architect’ pursuant to a law which gives the competent authority of their home state, or the state, where they carry out the profession, the power to award that title. If in their home state, or the state, where they carry out the profession, no legal rule exists concerning the use of the professional title ‘Architect’, then a degree or similar proof of ability will be accepted, provided that it fulfils the requirements stipulated in ‘The Relevant Enablement’.
Legally associated groups of architects, as well as legal persons created to provide architectural services, are allowed to participate. Furthermore, architects (individuals, legally associated groups of architects and /or legal persons created to provide architectural services) are allowed to team up especially for participation in this competition (hereafter referred to as ad-hoc team). The groups, ad-hoc teams and legal persons shall appoint one individual person, having the required qualifications mentioned above, to be responsible for the application. The composition of the group or ad-hoc team shall not change in the course of the competition. Group or ad-hoc team applications will be assessed as one common application. The members of the groups or ad-hoc teams or shareholders of the legal persons must not submit separate applications. If there is more than one application from the same group, ad-hoc team or legal person, all parties involved will be excluded. 
The following persons are excluded from participation in the competition:
a) Any staff member of the FCTA, the Secretariats, Departments or Agencies, or any external consultant or adviser that has been involved in the preparation and execution of the competition;
b) Members of the Jury and the technical advisory team;
c) Spouses, relatives and persons related by marriage, both up to the second degree of relationship, the permanent business partners and persons employed in the same company of or controlled by the persons mentioned in items (a) and (b).
Furthermore, all applicants must ensure that they meet the following formal criteria:
The application must be provided in a printed- out and signed version as well as in an electronic format (attachment to e-mail);
The requested information and declarations must be complete;
Multiple applications are not allowed and will result in the disqualification of all parties involved.
Applications must be submitted/posted by the deadline.
Failure to meet the formal criteria will result in exclusion from the pre-selection procedure
III.1.3. Professional selection criteria: The eligible applicants that satisfy Expression of Interest (EoI) requirements will be admitted to the competition. The jury will assess the applications based on the following quantitative and qualitative criteria listed with their weight (see below)
The quantitative criteria include minimum requirements; not fulfilling the minimum requirements will result in exclusion. ‘Young’ or ‘Small’ architectural firms or companies, not fulfilling the minimum requirements, are recommended to team up with an experienced ‘established’ architectural firm or company (ad-hoc team)
III.1.3.1 Quantitative Criteria (total weight 50%) The following quantitative criteria will be assessed:
Experience and expertise with comparable projects since 1998 (weight 30%)
The comparability of the projects shall be measured by means of size and complexity of the projects.
Applicants must furnish proof that they have been responsible during the past 10 years for the planning and implementation/ realisation of at least one project meeting the following requirements (referred to as reference projects):
One building, complex of buildings or similar structure of comparable total gross floor area, and comparable functional complexity; and
Implementation of the project in several planning phases (eg outline proposal, detailed proposal, final proposal, tender action, practical completion)
Providing more reference projects that exceed the minimum requirements will be an asset.
Reliability (total weight 20%) Reliability shall be measured by means of:
Continuity of the occupation/ professional activity (minimum requiremen: 10 years) - (weight 10%)
Number and function of employees (minimum requirement: 20 full-time permanently employed per year and during that whole year, for a period of the last 3 years) - (weight 5%)
Insurance (Minimum requirement: declaration that the applicant will be able to contract an adequate insurance for the purpose of this project) - (weight 2.5%)
Technical resources to execute a project of such size (minimum requirement: declaration that the applicant will be able to work with a digital drawing/ CAD programme and will be equipped with the adequate hard and soft ware) - (weight 2.5%)
III.1.3.2 Qualitative Criteria (total weight 50%) Architectural quality
The architectural quality shall be measured by means of:
The architectural quality of realised projects since 1998 (weight 40%);
For this purpose applicants shall submit images of (at least one of) the above requested reference project/s; in addition, other projects (not older than 10years) not necessarily comparable with regard to the size or complexity, may be submitted (standards for the images see below);
Others (10%)
III.I.4 Documents for application
In order to prove that they meet the aforementioned criteria, all applicants shall provide the following documents:
Application form
Applicants shall complete the application form available on the website (www.fct.gov.ng) and other sources specified; herein the applicants shall provide all requested information and declarations. Provided are two different forms: one for individual persons, legally associated groups of architects or legal persons (form ‘single application’), the other for ad-hoc teams (form ‘team application’).
Images on reference project/s
The images shall be presented on up to three A3 pages (landscape format) in total, per application for all projects presented as print out and in electronic format (pdf file); the picture and photos on these images should be clear and expressive, legible also via projector, as they will serve as a basis to assess the architectural quality of the realised projects, architectural work of the applicant (along with the successful participation in competitions and honours, prizes, awards). If the number of images exceeds the number of three A3 pages, the Rgd will select randomly and without any notice of quality of the images (projects) three pages from the submitted documents.
The completed application form as well as the images must be provided in a signed, printed-out version as well as in electronic format (attachment to e-mail).
In case of doubt or lack of clarity the right is reserved to scrutinise the submitted declarations.
The Rgd reserves the right to request special certifications (e.g Insurance policy) from the applicants admitted. In case of a request: If the original is not written in English, a certified translation must be attached to the copy of the original document. Any documents that are not required will not be considered; the documents will not be returned.
III.1.5 Reserve participants
Reserve participants are considered if qualified participants do not confirm their participation within a given time frame. They are then replaced by the best ranked applicant on the reserve list.
III.2) PARTICIPATION IS RESERVED TO A PARTICULAR PROFESSION -Yes
Architects, see III.1.2
IV: PROCEDURE
IV.1) TYPE OF CONTEST -Two stages
Qualification from Expression of Interest (EoI), followed by an anonymous design contest.
IV.2) NAMES OF PARTICIPANTS ALREADY SELECTED-None
IV.3) CRITERIA TO BE APPLIED IN THE EVALUATION OF SUBMISSIONS
The criteria for the selection of the design concepts submitted in the competition will be laid down in the competition brief handed out exclusively to the qualified participants.
IV.4) ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
IV.4.1) Competition designs should be anonymous but accompanied with a covering letter identifying the Consultancy Firm for appropriate coding by the Client. 
IV.4.2) Conditions for obtaining contractual documents and additional documents Time limit for receipt of requests for clarification on Design Brief-­­­4 weeks 
IV.4.3) Time-limit for submission of competition application forms - 6 weeks
IV.4.4) Time limit for dispatch of invitations to participate to selected candidates -10 weeks after advert
IV.4.5) Language(s) in which projects or requests to participate may be drawn up English
IV.5) REWARDS AND JURY
IV.5.1) A prize/prizes will be awarded
Three prizes shall be awarded for the best three designs
1st prize - 50% of Stage I Fees
2nd prize - 50% of 1st Prize
3rd prize - 25% of 1st Prize
(plus VAT if applicable)
IV.5.2) Details of payments to all participants
In addition to the prizes each participant having submitted a design concept confirming to the requirements laid down in the competition brief shall receive an Honourable mention by the Host Country.
No remuneration shall be paid to participants whose design concepts have been excluded from the competition for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of the competition brief, programme or other documents, or for manifest plagiarism or where their work is deemed inadequately prepared.
The prize and the remuneration paid out to the participant who is then selected by the client to execute his or her design concept shall be considered as an advance on the fees to be agreed between the client and the participant and will therefore be a deduction to the fee.
IV.5.3) Follow-up contracts:
Any service contract following the contest will be awarded to the winner or one of the winners of the contest - Yes
IV.5.4) The decision of the Jury is binding on the contracting authority - Yes/No
IV.5.5) Names of the selected members of the Jury - As suggested for consideration
V COMPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
V.1) DESIGN CONTEST RELATED TO A PROJECT AND/ OR PROGRAMME FINANCED BY DONOR/ SUPPORT FUND -Yes/No
V1.2) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V1.2.1 Type of competition
The architectural design competition (according to prevailing regulations on design contests) is organised as a two stage anonymous project competition with an open application /selection process in advance (Expression of Interest), following which qualified architects would participate in an anonymous design competition for the award of architectural services. It is based on the (BPP guidelines on Government Procurement) as approved by the Federal Executive Council. The relevant BPP regulation for procurement of architectural designs is described in Part 1 (6) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
The competition is intended to distillate the three most suitable designs for the new Abuja City Gate. The final result of the competition will be the nomination of the three prize winners.
The competition is conducted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Once the competition is over, negotiations shall commence with the first prize winner.
The aim is to execute an Agreement for detailed design development planning and innovative financing for the Abuja city gate project.
V1.2.2 Language
The official language of the competition shall be English: all information provided in languages other than English will not be considered.
V1.2.3 Scope of participation The competition will be open to applications from all over the world. No restrictions concerning an applicant’s home state shall apply.
V1.2.4 Further commission/ contract
At the conclusion of the competition, after the receipt of the jury’s decision, the FCTA as the client will commence negotiations with the first prize winner. The client may invite the prize winners to revise if considered necessary, their design concepts in line with the recommendations issued by the jury and/ or additional requirements set by the client. After having examined and evaluated the (revised) design concepts, the client may invite separately each of the three prize-winners, either simultaneously or in decreasing order, starting with the winner of the first prize, under equal conditions to negotiate the contract terms and conditions including the respective fee offer. A specification of the award criteria and their weight and optionally a draft contract will be addressed exclusively to the prize- winners before negotiations start. Beside the architectural quality of the (optionally revised) design concepts and specifications of the award criteria will contain at least, that the prize- winners shall explain their strategy for performing their work and the project in the FCT (eg local branch co-architect, design team) and how to deal with the local circumstances, regulations and conditions.
Furthermore, they shall explain the cost estimation of the design concept and their fee offer (including the fees for the other professionals included in the design team).
After having considered the results of the negotiations, the client intends to award the design for the new Abuja City Gate to the Architect as design team leader with the best tender for the commission for the architectural and technical work and who best meets the contract conditions. The client intends to conclude the general planning contract for all phases of the architectural work and for the most important disciplines, but the client reserves the right not to award all phases or parts of certain phases. The contract between the client and the architect nominated as design team leader will be concluded for each phase of the architectural work independently.
The client reserves also the right not to award the contract or to execute the project. The client must not, however, award the contract to an architect who has not obtained a prize.
V1.2.5 Competition Timetable:
Date of Competition Notice - 13th October, 2008
Deadline for submission of candidature - 24th November, 2008 (6 weeks after publishing 
  of advert).
Deadline for Pre-selection of participants - 22nd December, 2008 (4 weeks after deadline 
  for submission of EoI, within which time 
  selection of Jury would have been finalised).
Deadline for receipt and assessment 
of Design competition entries - 9th March, 2009 (10 working weeks after pre-
  selection of competitors).
Site visit by Jury - 1 week before competition (can be concurrent 
  with other events).
Deadline for election of prize winners - 23rd March, 2009 (2 weeks after site visit).
Deadline for completion of optional 
revision phase/ negotiation - 20th April, 2009 (4 weeks after election of 
  prize winners).
Nomination of Consultant for 
Architectural services - 27th April, 2009 (1 week after negotiation).
  Total - 28 weeks
All applicants will be informed of the result of the pre-selection phase. For reasons of confidentiality, names of non-selected applicants will not be published.

VI: DATE OF DISPATCH OF THIS NOTICE - 13th October 2008




ANNEX A
ADDITIONAL ADDRESSES AND CONTACT POINTS
VII: ADDRESSES AND CONTACT POINTS FROM WHICH FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED
Director of Public Building,
FCDA, Area 11, Abuja
FCT
VIII: ADDRESSES AND CONTACT POINTS FROM WHICH FURTHER DOCUMENTATION CAN BE OBTAINED
Same as above
IX: ADDRESSES AND CONTACT POINTS TO WHICH PROJECTS/ REQUESTS TO PARTICIPATE MUST BE SENT
Same as above