Council awards NDRRA Principal Program Consultant tender

Toowoomba Regional Council today announced AECOM Australia Pty Ltd as the successful tenderer for Principal Program Consultant services to deliver council's program of NDRRA (Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements) flood recovery works.

Subject to satisfactory finalisation of negotiations, council will enter into a contract with AECOM worth around $9.6 million before the end of the year, based on an estimated $115 million program of flood restoration works to be delivered over the next 18 months.

Council's ordinary meeting today heard that AECOM was considered the superior value-for-money tenderer based on their understanding of NDRRA program requirements and their experience in delivering programs of similar scale and complexity.

Mayor Peter Taylor welcomed council's decision as an important step in restoring vital infrastructure links across the Toowoomba region.

"The impact of the January floods has resulted in a council reconstruction program that is more than double its current annual capital and maintenance works program and needs to be delivered within a very tight timeframe.

"The community will see over 200 additional people on the ground as the restoration program gains momentum. This should see a significant economic benefit to the whole region.

"The Principal Program Consultant will play a vital role in managing the overall flood recovery works program and providing significant support to council staff in managing and delivering the extensive NDRRA program," Mayor Taylor said.

Infrastructure Services portfolio leader Cr Carol Taylor said they would be responsible for - among other things - financial management, inspection and certification of works, community and stakeholder liaison, programmed project management, contract management, auditing and reporting.

"AECOM Australia Pty Ltd was one of eight organisations that tendered for the Principal Program Consultant contract, indicating a strong response from the market.

"A selection panel consisting of two of council's engineering staff and a third party advisor, recommended AECOM following a detailed assessment of tender applicants.

"Value for money, relevant experience, availability of key personnel, methodology and willingness to be part of a proposed collaborative agreement were criteria used in selecting the successful tenderer," Cr Carol Taylor said.

AECOM will commence with council in early January 2012 and interact with council staff through to mid-2013.

It is planned that a number of civil contractors will be on the ground delivering flood restoration works by February 2012.