As we approach summer, bushfire prevention activities become top of mind for many government agencies. This week we look at a Request for Tender (RFT) issued by the Australian National Botanical Gardens (ANBG) seeking the construction of Fire Fighting Infrastructure.
The ANBG is a significant national attraction in Canberra and receives more than 520,000 visitors per year. The gardens also hosts a range of concerts, exhibitions and community-orientated programs, with several businesses operating onsite. The ANBG remains open to the public every day except Christmas Day. The scope of work of this RFT aims to extend the bushfire fire protection sprinkler system on the Northern and Southern side of the gardens, upgrade the electrical controls, power distribution, key pipeline and extend the system to the Northern and Southern boundaries of the site. This includes the following proposed upgrades: electric pumps; diesel pumps; key pipeline components; switchboard controls; and other miscellaneous items.
The successful supplier would be required to manage, co-ordinate and undertake the works including all necesary liaison with the ANBG Director reagrding impacts on site operations, and liaison with local authorities as required to enable the task.
A key aspect of this requirement is to articulate how the works will be managed to minimise any impact on public use of the gardens, inparticular maintaining public safety, noting that the ANBG will need to remain open to the public during the completion of the upgrade. A compulsory industry briefing was held on 12August 2022.
This RFT closes on 9 September with contractual agreement expected by 30 September 2022. The project should conclude in or about March 2023 with an option for the Director to extend for a further 6 Months if delays occur.
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