This is a Request for Tender for the Southern Ocean Research Aquarium (SORA) main works package, involving construction services and fit-out for a new aquarium facility. Attendance at the industry briefing and site visit on 9 June 2026 is mandatory. Tenders close at 2:00 pm ACT local time on 16 July 2026. Key requirements include environmental sustainability plans, indigenous participation plans, and compliance with the Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct. The project involves fitting out a cold shell provided by the University of Tasmania, including installation of internal walls, doors, finishes, fixtures, and systems. The estimated project timeline is from September 2026 to September 2027.
The fitout works are expected to be carried out under one separable portion of works, with the customer looking to commence the services for package 1 in August 2026 with a targeted completion date of August 2027. The indicative timetable suggests contract award by 11 September 2026, with the contract commencing on 28 September 2026 and continuing until 24 September 2027.
The document does not specify explicit payment terms. However, it mentions the Payment times procurement connected policy which requires large businesses to pay subcontractors within 20 calendar days.
Deliverables include warranties, guarantees as part of the resultant contract performance.
Tenders will be evaluated on the basis of best value for money, considering weighted criteria such as contract delivery (40%), experience (25%), specified personnel (25%), and program (10%), as well as unweighted criteria including modern slavery, environmental sustainability, pricing, financial capacity, and indigenous procurement policy considerations.
Potential suppliers must meet conditions for participation, including existing as a legal entity, holding valid statements of tax record, not having judicial decisions against them for unpaid employee entitlements, and being compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act. Accreditation under the WHS Accreditation Scheme is also mandatory for building work.
The document mentions that potential suppliers must not have judicial decisions against them relating to unpaid employee entitlements that remain unpaid. It also states that the customer may exclude a tender if a potential supplier has contravened anti-competitive provisions.
An industry briefing and site visit will be held on 9 June 2026. Attendance at the industry briefing and site visit is mandatory.
Complaints relating to the ATM are to be directed to the director of procurement at ***@***. *. * complaint relating to the ATM which is made under the Government Procurement Judicial Review Act 2018 CTH is to be lodged using the process described on the customer's website.
Tenders may be excluded for non-compliance with minimum content and format requirements, conditions for participation, or mandatory requirements. Risks include late lodgement, illegibility, failure to attend mandatory briefings/visits, misleading conduct, collusive tendering, and failure to meet WHS accreditation or tax record requirements.
