Procurement and Delivery

For information about how to connect with the Major Contract or smaller works packages, visit Business Opportunities.

Delivery model

Northern Water intends to deliver the Project’s major works under a collaborative Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) contract model.

Under this model, Northern Water will enter into two primary contracts with a single consortium to build and operate the plant and pipeline: a Design and Build (D&B) contract and an Operate and Maintain (O&M) contract. Proposals for both contracts will be tendered concurrently and submitted as a joint proposal.

The teams delivering the two primary contracts will be required to work closely together to ensure construction, operation and maintenance costs are considered collectively and optimised over the life of the Project.

The table below illustrates examples of local content that may be required under each contract.

One consortium
Two contracts

Design and Build

The contract includes detailed design and build component.
Local supply opportunities for this contract may include:

  • civil works
  • pipeline construction
  • traffic management
  • accommodation
  • wet and dry equipment hire
  • mechanical repair
  • logistics
  • environmental surveys
  • fencing
  • security
  • steel fabrication
  • cleaning services
  • catering
  • electrical services
  • car hire
  • environmental rehabilitation

Operate and Maintain

The contract will include operation and maintenance of the plant and pipeline for 20 years, with two optional five-year extensions.
Local supply opportunities for this contract may include:

  • environmental monitoring
  • environmental rehabilitation
  • inspections
  • cleaning services
  • security
  • pump repair and maintenance
  • electrical servicing
  • mechanical trades
  • easement management
  • weed management

Procurement process

Registration of Interest

A Registration of Interest (ROI) process has concluded. Organisations with experience delivering large desalination or pipeline network projects were invited to register. Those that met the eligibility criteria were then invited to participate in a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

Expressions of Interest

Organisations that met the ROI selection criteria were invited to take part in the formal EOI process. Responses were assessed on their ability to deliver the Project in line with its requirements.

Key evaluation criteria included:

  • consortium arrangements
  • experience delivering similar projects
  • capability and capacity to meet contract requirements
  • commercial and legal terms
  • Industry Participation Plan Statement of Intent, focused on maximising opportunities for local businesses.

Request for Proposal

Two consortia have now been shortlisted to develop detailed proposals outlining how they would build, operate and maintain the desalination plant and pipeline. Proposals will be supported by case studies and evidence of experience, capability and capacity to deliver a large-scale infrastructure project.

This stage will involve a multi-month interactive tender process, with weighted price and non-price evaluation criteria. Local content will be a key consideration in the tender assessment process.