Pipe Spool Fabrication and Installation - Defence Strategic Shipbuilding

⁠⁠⁠The Commonwealth of Australia has been awarded the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement pursuant to the development of a Sovereign, Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment capability. Under this agreement, a Tasking Statement has been issued for the build of the Damen designed Landing Craft – Heavy, which will be the largest military vessel built in Western Australia to date and will require a collaborative effort from Australian and New Zealand industry.

To this end, a competitive demonstration of manufacturing capability is sought from appropriately skilled and resourced suppliers, in accordance with the hull sub-assembly specification. It is anticipated that this EOI will be used to develop a shortlist of suppliers to be invited to participate in the capability demonstration, which will include building the specified sub-assembly for assessment. Assessment criteria and weightings are provided in the specification.

Scope Overview

Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified Australian suppliers with demonstrated capability in marine pipe spool fabrication, installation, testing, flushing, and preservation coordination for large, complex naval vessel construction programs.

This scope covers fabrication capability and/or coordination and management of external fabrication, together with shipboard installation and system completion. Materials may include, but are not limited to, carbon steel, stainless steel, copper-nickel (CuNi), and glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) piping systems.

Indicative Scope of Work

The indicative scope may include, but is not limited to, the following activities:

1. Supply of Materials

The Contractor may be responsible for the supply, management, and delivery of materials, including:

• Fittings, flanges, valves, fasteners and gaskets.

• Materials manufactured from approved piping materials (e.g. carbon steel, stainless steel, CuNi, GRE)

• Consumables including welding consumables, bonding agents, resins, purge gases, cleaning agents and preservation materials, as applicable.

• Materials to be sourced, stored, handled, and controlled in accordance with project specifications and material-specific requirements

2. Pipe Spool Fabrication

Scope may include pipe spool fabrication undertaken either in-house or via coordinated external facilities including:

• Fabrication of pipe spools in accordance with drawings, isometrics and specifications.

• Cutting, forming, fit-up, and joining using material-appropriate processes (e.g. welding, mechanical joining or bonding)

• Material identification, segregation, and traceability throughout fabrication.

• Dimensional control and verification to ensure readiness for installation within unit and block assemblies.

• Coordination, supervision and quality oversight of third-party fabrication where applicable

3. Pipe Installation

Scope may include shipboard pipe installation activities, including:

• Installation or supply of fabricated spools at unit, block or consolidated hull stage

• Installation and torquing of flanged or mechanical joints where applicable.

• Installation of pipe supports, restraints, and expansion provisions appropriate to the piping material.

• Coordination with structural, mechanical, electrical, and outfit works to maintain access and tolerances.

Installation activities shall be aligned to Austal installation philosophies and production work packages.

4. Testing and Inspection

Scope may include testing and verification activities appropriate to the piping system and material including:

• Preparation and support of system testing activities (e.g. pressure testing or equivalent).

• Leak testing and joint integrity checks.

• Rectification of defects or non-conformances identified during testing.

• Support to inspections conducted by Austal, the Commonwealth and/or Classification Society.

5. Flushing and Cleaning

Scope may include system flushing and internal cleanliness activities including:

• Pre-flush preparation and isolation of systems.

• Flushing using approved medium and processes appropriate to the system and material.

• Completion flushing to specified cleanliness standards.

• Coordination with testing, preservation and system handover activities.

6. Paint and Preservation Coordination

Scope may include coordination of coating, painting, and preservation including:

• Coordination with painting subcontractors or shipyard teams for coated systems.

• Temporary and long-term preservation of piping systems during construction.

• Protection of completed systems from damage, contamination or degradation.

7. Production & Yard Interface

The Contractor will be required to:

• Execute works in accordance with Austal installation philosophies, drawings and production sequencing.

• Support early-stage fabrication and installation aligned to unit or block construction.

• Complete installation, testing, flushing, and system closure following block consolidation.

• Comply with shipyard safety, quality and permit systems