One contractor close to the project told the Enquirer: “It was originally thought that only American contractors would be considered but the major UK players have formed joint ventures with US firms to bid for the work.”
The source said the usual major project suspects are in the hunt – Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Sir Robert McAlpine and Skanska.
The winning bid will be led by a US firm and only one bidder – Hensel Phelps – is an American contractor working without a domestic partner.
Work is expected to start on the embassy in 2013 and be complete in 2017.
No-one at the US Embassy was available to comment on the tender race.