Scott Base Redevelopment seeks main contractor for reset

The redevelopment of Scott Base has made a significant step forward with the issue of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage a main contractor to participate in the design and delivery of the project.

Antarctica New Zealand Board Chair Leon Grice says after the project was reset last year following an Independent Review, it is now the right time to go to market for a construction partner.

“Early contractor engagement (ECE) on a project of this scale is critical as it offers a more cost-efficient design; improved cost certainty; opportunity to accelerate project delivery; and enables better identification and allocation of risk.

“The RFP is seeking proposals for a main contractor that can provide invaluable input to critical elements such as logistics and construction in remote and hostile environments and designing cost-effective modular buildings.”

Last year, the Independent Review recommended significant changes to the design, delivery and resourcing of the project to ensure it could be developed within budget.

The first step in this process has been the development of a masterplan that proposes a three-stage redevelopment of the base over the next 20-50 years.

The first stage of redevelopment will increase available space by approximately 30%. There will be more accommodation, replacement or upgrade of critical plant and services and more usable spaces for science activity and the base services critical to supporting good science.

“Taking a long-term view of the redevelopment of Scott Base reduces up-front costs and reduces project risk. However, it still addresses the most pressing needs to ensure New Zealand maintains a credible presence in Antarctica and facilitates the delivery of world-class scientific research,” Grice says.

“The project has now entered the first design stage (Concept Design) which will be completed in March.”

Antarctica New Zealand expects to appoint the successful contractor by June to ensure it has early input into design, buildability and deliverability for the second design phase (Preliminary Design).

The RFP can be found on the New Zealand Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS).