Vjesnik skyscraper to be removed mechanically - EURCO wins job

Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property Branko Bačić announced at a press conference that the Vjesnik skyscraper in Zagreb will be removed mechanically, and the job has been awarded to EURCO from Vinkovci.

“The company EURCO from Vinkovci has been selected to prepare the project documentation and carry out the work of removing the Vjesnik skyscraper with its western annex, which should complete the work in April, i.e. three months after the signing of the contract, which is scheduled for January 21,” reported the minister Branko Bačić.

The contracted work of preparing the project documentation and removing the building is estimated at 4.2 million euros excluding VAT, or 5.3 million euros including VAT.

The deadline for completing the first phase to open the underpass in Slavonska Avenue is 30 days after signing the contract, and the deadline for developing the project and removing the building and transporting the materials is three months from signing the contract, which is scheduled for January 21, after the deadline for submitting complaints expires on January 19.

According to what criteria was the contractor selected

Based on the analysis of 18 informative offers received, the Ministry included the five most serious bidders in the negotiation process, which were assessed to be able to guarantee the necessary level of safety, quality and compliance with deadlines. These companies were invited to submit their final offers.

Minister Branko Bačić emphasized that the selection criterion is not the lowest price, but the most economically advantageous offer. The price carries 30 percent of the points, while the specific experience and references of experts are the most important criterion with a share of 35 percent, given the complexity and risk of the project.

A particularly important criterion, with a share of 15 percent of the points, refers to the completion of the first phase of the works, which would enable the reopening of the underpass in Slavonska Avenue in both directions. The southern carriageway will remain closed until the complete removal of the structure and cleaning of the area, as it will be used for the works.

The remaining 20 percent of the points refer to the deadline for completing the entire procedure, which includes the development of the project, preparation of the construction site, removal of the skyscraper, sorting of materials and removal of construction waste to recycling yards. The Minister concluded that the sum of all these elements will be the basis for selecting the most favorable economic offer, and final offers are expected from a narrowed circle of bidders.

Supervision company and auditor selected

In parallel with the process of selecting the removal contractor, the Ministry also carried out the procurement procedure for expert supervision and project audit. The company Gark Consulting from Zagreb was selected for expert supervision. After the project is developed, an additional audit will be carried out by the company Todinga, also from Zagreb.

“Design and build” model to save time

Bačić pointed out that the procedure was carried out according to the “design and build” model, which means that the same contractor prepares the project and carries out the removal. This model was chosen in order to shorten the duration of the procedure and enable the removal of the skyscraper, which poses a safety risk, as quickly as possible. He emphasized that, although it is a removal, this intervention is considered a type of construction according to the law, which is why this model is legal and justified.

The Minister thanked his colleagues in the Ministry, all participants in the public procurement procedure, the Croatian Center for Earthquake Engineering, emergency services, the City of Zagreb, the Civil Protection Office, the Ministry of the Interior and the State Attorney's Office, which is involved in the process to protect the interests of the state. He concluded that the goal of all involved was to remove the skyscraper as quickly and safely as possible, with full respect for legal procedures.

Source: HRT