Background

The GIDP is the primary operational and support base for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on Australia’s eastern coast. The Project aims to enable maritime operational effectiveness and improve base operations through the remediation of strategic infrastructure and accommodation of future capability requirements and support workforce. The GIDP is comprised of the "Main Site" and several supporting satellite states, including the Chowder Bay DFI(M). The remediation of aging facilities and infrastructure in the GIDP is a key priority.

Project Scope

Of the satellite sites, the Chowder Bay DFI(M) (the subject of this notice), has been identified as key to meeting the RAN’s minimum fuel reserve requirements for the Sydney region. The works at this location will include:

a. demolition of aged buildings that have exceeded their remaining useful life and that are no longer fit-for-purpose

b. redevelopment of larger buildings with flexible spaces, which may include the upgrade of support services, to efficiently deliver a variety of base functions; and

c. fuel infrastructure upgrades and sustainment of strategic fuel storage for the east coast maritime capability, including the replacement of existing marine diesel fuel tanks and associated vessel offloading and dispensing (bunkering) infrastructure.

Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch (CFI) is responsible for developing and delivering capital facilities and infrastructure projects across the Defence estate, including this Project.

At the time of this notice, the estimated value of the works is between $150 million and $170 million (GST exclusive).

Procurement Opportunities

This notice is for the purposes of informing industry that Defence intends to conduct a two-stage procurement process to engage two Early Contractor Involvement Head Contract (ECI-HC) Contractors, using the Defence Suite of Facilities Contracts ECI-HC - Two Contractor Planning Phase Approach templates. Two ECI-HC Contractors are expected to be engaged to support design development and planning of the works in the Project’s Planning Phase followed by the anticipated selection of one of the Contractors to continue to deliver the works on a construct only basis in the Project’s Delivery Phase.

Defence anticipates releasing an Invitation to Register (ITR) as the first stage of the procurement process in mid- to late-August 2025 on AusTender (https://www.tenders.gov.au).

Potential respondents to the ITR and any subsequent Request For Tender (RFT) will be required to demonstrate their capacity to perform the activities of an ECI-HC and to deliver large scale infrastructure and building upgrades, including fuel systems.

Potential applicants should regularly check AusTender for updates, rather than approaching Defence personnel. All official information about the ITR will be published on AusTender – potential applicants should not rely on information from other sources.

This notice is not a procurement. Any procurement process initiated by Defence will be released separately.

All questions regarding this opportunity must be directed in writing to the Contact Officer email address (EST02060_GIDP_ChowderBay@ghd.com).

This notice does not guarantee that any future approach to market will actually be undertaken (nor about the form or timing of any such approach) and similarly does not represent a guarantee of works in any format. The Commonwealth shall not bear any liability for any costs or losses incurred by potential respondents as a result of any delay in the release of the ITR or any change in Defence’s requirements.