Dirección General de Concesiones in Chile has opened five economic offers received on May 14 for the concession of four hospitals, known as the Red BioBío hospital network. The most attractive offer was presented by the winning consortium, Obrascón Huarte Lain SA, which requested a Fixed Construction Subsidy (SFC) of UF494,353 (US$20,4 million) and a Fixed Operation Subsidy (SFO) of UF169,200 (US$6,98 million). 

The total investment in the project is estimated at UF 7,75 million (US$320 million), while the concession period will be 15 years. The Red BioBío network consists of four hospitals located in the communes of Santa Bárbara, Nacimiento, Coronel and Lota. A total of 569 beds will be provided for the health system, which will benefit a population of 414,000 people. 

The bidding process will continue with administrative procedures for the award, scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2021. Final engineering development will begin shortly thereafter, with construction starting in the second quarter of 2023. The construction is expected to generate up to 2,000 direct jobs. Commercial operation of the hospital network is planned for the end of 2025.