Zoos Victoria is a not-for-profit zoo based conservation organisation.

Zoos Victoria operates world-class zoos on three sites, the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Our mission is to galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places by connecting people and wildlife. Across the three sites, there were around 2.4 million visitors in 2016-17.

Zoos Victoria has undergone significant change over its history, and is now regarded as a zoo based conservation organisation. Unlike traditional zoos, where animal-based recreation is the primary focus, a zoo-based conservation organisation has conservation as its primary objective supported by recreation and education.

For Zoos Victoria to be a sustainable zoo-based conservation organisation however, it must also be a viable active zoo that maintains the public's interest and meets their expectations around animal welfare, visitor amenities and visitor experiences. If not, visitation will decline and this will impact on its finances and the ability to engage visitors in conservation activities. Zoos Victoria therefore aims to be a financially strong organisation and will actively seek additional sources of revenue to improve attractions, attract visitors and grow its business. It will achieve this through developing new and interesting exhibits and expanding services.

WORZ, located in the City of Wyndham, Victoria's fastest growing municipality, has experienced rapidly increasing visitation from 411,419 visitors in 2011-12 to 588,718 visitors in 2016-17. At WORZ, the current offering and infrastructure has been in place since the 1970s and is now inadequate to meet the growing tourism demand and consumer expectations. Investment is required to capitalise on the projected growth in visitation, address the risks associated with out dated infrastructure and provide a world-class venue in one of Victoria's fastest growing regions.

WORZ has prepared a Master Plan that aims to address these risks and this Request for Tender relates to the detailed design and planning of elements of the Master Plan as outlined in the Project Scope.

Tenderers are requested to submit Tender Proposals for delivery of Stage 1a-1e and Stage 2a/2b as outlined in Part A Specification and Part D of this RFT.

Zoos Victoria intends to establish a contract for Stage 1a-1e for Lead Design Services for the following Phases - Pre Design Services and Schematic Design Services as outlined in the Specification Section 3.4.1 & 3.4.2.

Pending confirmation of funding approval for construction of the Master Plan in May 2018, Zoos Victoria may then activate the option to undertake the balance of the Lead Design Services for Stage 1a-1e (Phases of Design Development, Contract Documentation, Construction Phase Services, Defects Liability Period & Post Occupancy Evaluation as outlined in the Specification Section 3.4.3, 3.4.4, 3.4.5, 3.4.6 & 3.4.7) and Stage 2a/2b Lead Design Services for all Phases as outlined in the Specification Section 3.4.1 to Section 3.4.7.