On 1 November 2010, Auckland Transport inherited the management of approximately 25 fixed-term service contracts for the maintenance and renewal of the 7,800km of road network in Auckland. After undertaking a comprehensive review of existing arrangements, Auckland Transport developed an innovative blueprint for the future of Road Corridor Maintenance contracts. The new model transitions to a city-wide delivery environment where nine contracts will be rolled out in three phases over a three year period.

Resolve Group has been actively involved in assisting with the roll out of the first phase in the Southern Area. This procurement phase was split into two separate stages; the Expression of Interest Stage, and the Request for Tender Stage, at the end of which three Southern Area Contracts were awarded, each for a term of four years, for works totalling almost $300 million.

Auckland Transport Chief Operations Officer, Greg Edmonds, says the work will cover everything from routine maintenance and resealing, to the repair and reinstatement of roads, kerb and channel and footpaths, to emergency repairs caused by events such as flooding. He adds that the contracts were awarded after a highly competitive tender round. The three new contractors, who will commence on 1 July 2012 in the southern area are Fulton Hogan, Downer NZ, and Transfield Services.

Resolve Group played a critical role, coordinating across various organisations to compile tender documents, and also took on the roles of Tender Manager, Tender Chair and Tender Evaluation Coordination. We are also managing the development and procurement of the Technical Support Services contracts, currently active in the market.

Resolve Group is privileged to work alongside our client, Auckland Transport, to collaboratively achieve a breakthrough outcome for Auckland.

Visit the project here.

IPENZ held their Transportation Group Conference in Rotorua this March. The theme of the conference was “Stand and Deliver,” a concept chosen to encourage transportation professionals to deliver “considered views of the highest calibre” and have the courage to stand by them, an increasingly difficult task as resources become more and more constrained and deliverable benchmarks are raised. It is a worthy aim, however, and one that certainly resonates with Resolve Group staff and clients. 

There were many high quality papers presented including a session on some of the transportation issues facing Christchurch post earthquake. Rob Lorden particularly enjoyed the presentation from the University of Canterbury’s Dr. Susan Krumdieck on “The Dunedin Peak Oil Vulnerability Study and Strategic Transition Plan“.  Dr Krumdieck predicts that with a 50% reduction in oil production by 2050, it could cost $300 to $400 to fill the petrol tank of an average car. This will necessarily change many of our daily behaviours as a community, and Dr. Krumdieck hopes to encourage transportation professionals to lead the way in promoting early change through planning and design. Definitely thought provoking!

Five Resolve Group staff members attended: Terry Brown, Michael Kwok, Nigel Griffith, Rob Lorden and Steve Griffith; and a number of other staff and guests joined the Las Vegas-styled conference dinner to celebrate with Terry, recipient of an IPENZ Life Membership Award.