Upcoming Tender Opportunities - Technical and Engineering advisory Services for Inland Rail

⁠⁠⁠Inland Rail Pty Ltd (IRPL) has upcoming Request for Tender (RFT) opportunities, inviting submissions from qualified Service Providers (Applicants) with demonstrated experience in providing Technical and Engineering advisory services on transport infrastructure projects.

The RFTs will cover the following service categories:

• Operational modelling
• Planning & approvals
• Technical advisory - including Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K)

To be invited to participate in the RFT and gain access to the RFT Documents once they are released, Applicants are required to register by completing 'Schedule 1 - Applicant Details within the Conditions of RFT Documents Access' document. This is available for download on the etender portal.

The completed responses to the Schedules must then be submitted electronically via email to the following address: InlandRailTenders@inlandrail.com.au

For any questions, please email the Inland Rail Procurement Team at: InlandRailTenders@inlandrail.com.au

An overview of the services categories (detailed scope to be included in subsequent RFT) includes:

Operational modelling

• Maintain and enhance the RailSys-based Master Operational Model for Inland Rail's 1,600 km corridor, validating performance against 24-hour transit and 98% reliability targets.
• Model Maintenance: Maintain Master Operational Model and Runtime Register; comprehensively capture and review modelling assumptions, provide monthly reports, quarterly performance assessments (SRTs, capacity, utilization <65%, train paths), and annual ARTC handovers with full data packages.
• Core Modelling Tasks: Path determination (8 scenarios); project alignment reviews (12-20/year); interim states (6); connecting networks and control systems; refueling/crew locations; intermodal yard operations; gauge transitions; cycle times; freight distribution; capacity beyond forecasts; key junctions/yards analysis.
• Optional Studies: G2H tunnel constraint scenarios (up to 13); G2H/H2C passenger capability assessment (up to 8 scenarios) with ARTC/QR workshops.

Required capability:

• RailSys expertise, ARTC collaboration experience, UIC compliance, freight rail operations knowledge.

Planning and approvals

• Provide environmental compliance, sustainability, and approvals support across Inland Rail.
• Environmental Advisory: Support service briefs, program documentation, environmental management systems, technical enquiries, and performance monitoring
• Subject Matter Experts: Hydrology (approvals, water management); Contaminated land (assessment, remediation); Air quality (impact assessments, mitigation); environmental generalist support.
• Queensland approvals: Environmental Impact Statement materials review, primary approval tasks, Queensland legislation compliance
• Biodiversity: BAM-accredited assessor services for offsets; ad-hoc biodiversity assessments and management advice

Required capability:

Major transport infrastructure experience, professional accreditations, Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and state legislation knowledge, BAM accreditation (for offsets work), collaborative stakeholder engagement.

Technical Advisory - including Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K)

Technical advisory for three Queensland sections - Gowrie to Helidon; Helidon to Calvert; and Calvert to Kagaru - in Queensland including tunnelling, network interfaces, and urban constraints through design development and construction procurement.

Design support: Interim endpoint redesign; interface coordination with stakeholders; specific issue pre-tender design and construction tender documentation (EOI, specifications, scope).

Reviews: Tender assessment (compliance, constructability, methodology); staged design reviews (concept through pre-tender design); value engineering facilitation.

Technical expertise and design: providing subject matter experts for; strategic advice, general engineering and technical design, design collaboration across packages, value-engineering and standardisation, sourcing global best-practice, interfacing with ARTC and other key stakeholders.

Disciplines: Rail Civil, Geotechnical, Tunnelling, Bridges/Structures, Earthworks, Roads/Pavements, Drainage/Hydrology, Constructability, Utilities, Fire/Life Safety, Electrical, CAD/BIM/GIS, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, Acoustics/Noise/Vibration.

Required capability:

Principal Technical Advisor experience on major rail/transport projects, tunnelling expertise, multi-disciplinary team, Australian rail standards knowledge, Queensland approvals familiarity, tender evaluation experience.