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New Zealand’s Place in

Contractor Briefing Pack ’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 2

New Zealand was one of the Since 1957 our permanent Operating safely and effectively Antarctica and the 12 original signatories of the presence in Antarctica has been in an environment as extreme Antarctic Treaty in 1959. at . For more than 60 as Antarctica is challenging, years Scott Base has supported and the expectations of We want to protect Antarctica as high quality, short, medium and individuals who work and live a natural reserve, a place devoted long term scientific research at Scott Base are changing. to peace and science. We value a are vitally important healthy and productive Southern This important science has been The base’s infrastructure is Ocean and we are committed further underpinned with the deteriorating. Ageing life support to protecting its biodiversity. establishment of the Antarctic systems are becoming harder to New Zealand Science Platform in 2017 where to maintain. Failure of Scott New Zealand is the Gateway $49m will be allocated over seven Base’s critical systems would to the region and our years through the MBIE Strategic impact on our ability to achieve ecosystems are connected to Scientific Investment Fund. This New Zealand’s strategic aims. Antarctic and the Southern Ocean. allows a commitment to large New Zealand has significant, long-standing field projects over multiple years. scientific, environmental, economic and diplomatic interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 3

At Scott Base, our scientists are ANTARCTICA’S PAST HELPS US LONG TERM DATA SETS THAT INFORM New Zealand is a trying to answer some of the most UNDERSTAND OUR FUTURE INTERNATIONAL POLICY important questions of our time. By analysing ancient ice and Geo-magnetic, atmospheric, They collaborate with scientists sediments our scientists can trace oceanographic and other long leader in Antarctic from around the world. Their back in time. Seeing what the term scientific measurements research can inform policies that world was like in the past helps have been recorded at Scott Base will help us plan, prepare and us understand what our planet’s since 1957. These provide some of Science and protect in the future. future might hold. the longest records in Antarctica Environmental and are used to inform the United ANTARCTICA’S BIOLOGY GIVES US Nations Framework Convention of AN EARLY WARNING SIGNAL Climate Change and other national and international policies. Protection Antarctic biology is highly sensitive to changes in the environment. This vital work is being done in By measuring changes in the the most challenging environment biology, such as the behaviour of on Earth. fauna, microbes and animals, our Antarctica covers 10% of the Earth’s surface, yet scientists can detect early warning it influences the climate and ocean circulation of signs of our changing world. the entire planet. Antarctic environments are among the most sensitive on Earth. Antarctica holds the key to understanding past climates and predicting future climates. NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 4

Scott Base was established in OUR SCIENTISTS, OUR SUPPORT The last significant upgrade to Scott Base is 1957 when the first building was PEOPLE, OUR ACHIEVEMENTS Scott Base’s infrastructure was constructed by a team led by nearly forty years ago through the Sixty-two years after Scott Base Sir as part of early 1980’s. Now Scott Base’s was established, the high quality New Zealand’s the famous Commonwealth outdated buildings, facilities and science being carried out here Trans-Antarctic Expedition. systems that keep its residents is more important than ever. But alive are deteriorating each day. Antarctic research The base has recorded valuable getting it done is becoming more scientific data sets ever since. difficult than ever. New Zealand needs a continuous, station safe presence at Scott Base that NEW ZEALAND CONTINUES AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE NOTHING is fit for future generations and ITS SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT ELSE ON EARTH appropriate to support future TO ANTARCTICA science and environmental Winter temperatures can plunge to protection needs. Today, Scott Base is a workplace -57 degrees and sit there for weeks. Comprising a group of 11 buildings, it stands at and a home for up to 100 people During the fleeting including scientists and support Summer, they can just about touch Pram Point on the southern edge of : personnel. Some can spend up to zero. Antarctica is the coldest and 4,086km south of Wellington, 1,350km from 13 months living and working here. driest place on Earth. the . An ever-changing community of During those sunless winters the the brightest and best working region is blasted by winds in excess in fields such as climatology, of 200kph which can rage for days paleoclimatology, atmospheric on end. Over time, this extreme research, biology, oceanography environment has taken its toll on and more. Scott Base. NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 5

SOME OF THE ISSUES PEOPLE • With its ageing electrical • Using shared preparation areas Scott Base is HERE FACE: systems, the risk of a devastating delays expeditions because fire at Scott Base is forever equipment can’t be assembled • Crammed into a room with five present. while waiting for others to clear other people makes sleeping under pressure the space. difficult, and fatigue sets in. At • Critical life support systems are times, the base is so crowded housed next to each other. The • A lack of purpose-built stores that some have to sleep outside only water production plant is means that locating stored in modified shipping containers. next to two generators and if equipment can be time- these caught fire, the base would consuming, frustrating and • Some building cladding around If we want to make a meaningful contribution be closed down for several years. expedition-ending if the parts are the base is now 40 years old to the world’s understanding of Antarctica found to not be on base. A failure and leaking, which increases • Getting equipment repaired of Scott Base’s critical systems demands on heating systems and its impact on the Earth’s future, urgent is a constant challenge. would impact the base’s ability to and fuel reserves. work needs to be carried out at Scott Base. Scientific expeditions are achieve the goals of the Strategic delayed because maintenance • When the base’s outdated water Science Investment Fund. crew must prioritise repairs to production system fails it can ageing life-support systems. We need to act now if we want require water rationing while Accessing the infrastructure can to ensure our ability to contribute repairs are made. Critical water be almost impossible in some high quality science and assure tanks holding the base supply are circumstances with it housed our presence in Antarctica. now twenty years beyond their in tight underfloor cavities. design life and have started to fail.

Deteriorated roof cladding resulting in mould growth Winter-over bedroom – smaller than a prison cell Snow drifting through external doors causing Cladding failures increasing fossil fuel consumption End of life water intake and outfall on unstable on base accommodation building weather tightness issues foundations NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 6

A SAFE AND MODERN ENGINEERING SUPPORT GOOD LOGISTICS Scott Base for WORKPLACE Safe, well-equipped Everyone has access Areas to work and live in workshops for repairing to reliable assets they need, that meet modern standards equipment. Fresh water and which are well-maintained the next 50 years ensuring people are safe, reliable heating and power. and housed in modern whatever the weather. Engineering services that fit-for-purpose facilities enable high quality science. protected from the elements. COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION EASY TO USE INTERNATIONAL Those who live and work in Antarctica know Quiet, dark and comfortable The layout of the base COLLABORATION from experience what is really needed for Scott rooms because a good night’s supports all activities in it, A redeveloped base will sleep is critical to recover and makes it easy for people enable more opportunity Base to continue delivering high quality science and prepare for the next day. to focus on their work. to collaborate with into the future. other national Antarctic programmes, which will mean DAY-TO-DAY SUPPORT ADEQUATE SPACE better research and stronger Fit-for-purpose work areas Clean, safe areas to prepare international relationships. for all. Required meals, and test equipment. training, equipment and help The ability to spread out is on-hand when needed. and check everything before A base that is clean, relaxing going into the deep field and inspiring. for months for months or deploying the monitoring equipment for years. NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 7

All current buildings would be EXCELLENT IMPROVEMENTS SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL The proposed design demolished and removed. A FOR WELL-BEING OF PERSONNEL PROTECTION new base would be constructed, Long stay winter-over staff will This option will take an ‘energy larger than the existing, to provide have single bedrooms which excellence’ approach to safe working areas for critical include adequate storage for sustainability. Buildings will be services and plant, along with personal property, a desk and rated to Green Star® Level 5 or accommodation at a standard a wardrobe. Summer staff will higher. Power and heating will be This creates a fit-for-purpose Scott Base, that’s expected for a remote worker have smaller single rooms. provided by a combined system in New Zealand. attracting and enabling high-quality science Short-stay staff and visitors which will maximise renewable for the next 50 years. will be quartered in single and energy generation. SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS twin rooms. There will be four IN SCIENCE CAPABILITIES segregated rooms for medical isolation or security purposes. There will be larger working spaces, modern labs and adequate staging There will be sufficient storage area for traverse and deep field for larger personal items and this expeditions. New capabilities will create more space in to support current and future bedrooms. The ratio of showers science user requirements include and toilets will be increased and preparation areas for gliders, the bathrooms will be safer and drones and small boats. Stores functional. will be internal and centralised to enable unrestricted access, protection from the weather and HIGH LEVELS OF RESILIENCE sound inventory management. Life-support systems will have Bio-security controlled zones built-in multiple redundancy so will manage inter-and intra- that operations can continue in continental contamination risks. the event of a single system failure. All life-critical systems will have extremely high reliability and availability, providing absolutely no impact on operations for a minimum of 72 hours after a failure. NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 8

Timeline Completed work Funding approval

Proposed work

Activity 2014-16 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022-30 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Development of Indicative Business Case (IBC)

Development of Detailed Business Case (DBC)

Concept and preliminary design stages

Developed design

Detailed design

Main contractor procurement

Registrations of interest Shortlisting of contractors Scott Base visit ECI Phase 1 report Down select of preferred contractor Request for Proposal (RFP) Contract awarded

Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE)

Implementation Business Case developed

Funding approval (indicative only)

Enabling works (indicative only)

Construction (indicative only) NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE IN ANTARCTICA CONTRACTOR BRIEFING PACK REV-3 9

We are looking for an organisation challenging logistics to remote of a shortlisted group travelling What do we want who can bring innovative thinking areas for example. We encourage to Scott Base in February 2020 to a complex project. you to consider a partnering to carry out a site familiarisation approach, working with other visit. It is essential that you from our contractor? Our intent is to work with organisations as required to consider from the outset how you organisations who can offer input provide turnkey capability for will be able to deliver on the New and advice on how best to deliver the delivery of the construction Zealand Government’s requirement the final design and collaboration phase of our programme. to achieve broader outcomes with logistics. We want to ensure through procurement, including We are looking for an organisation who can buildability, assurance of asset Following initial involvement with improving New Zealand’s domestic maintainability and that the final you during the design phase, we construction sector workforce. bring innovative thinking to a complex project. design provides a balance of will down select in order to appoint More details can be found here. innovation and value for money. the construction partner for the redevelopment of Scott Base. To work with us, you must have a proven capability in fields such Through the New Zealand as construction in polar or other Government Electronic Tendering extreme/adverse environments; System (www.gets.govt.nz), we will the ability to integrate complex launch our procurement process systems and programmes; a track in the last half of 2019. This record with projects requiring process will include involvement Marnie Allen Administration Building Commercial Leader International Antarctic Centre 38 Orchard Road Procurement and Property 8053 Building, Resources and Markets New Zealand [email protected]

Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Phone: +64 (0) 4 896 5929 +64 (0) 21 841 354 antarcticanz.govt.nz www.procurement.govt.nz www.gpg.govt.nz