CPB Contractors, a subsidiary of CIMIC Group, has been chosen by the Australian Government’s Department of Defence for the early contractor involvement (ECI) development phase of upgrades at RAAF Bases Curtin and Learmonth.
ECI contracts involve a collaborative approach where the contractor is engaged from the project’s beginning to assist with planning and design, ultimately leading to the project’s execution through a subsequent construction agreement.
Upgrades to RAAF Bases Curtin and Learmonth
CPB Contractors will be working on upgrades at RAAF Bases Curtin and Learmonth, which are located in Western Australia. These upgrades include improvements to runways, taxiways, parking areas, aeronautical ground lighting, asphalting, culverts, and drainage.
During the first phase of the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract, CPB Contractors will collaborate with RAAF to develop designs for these upgrades. This phase is expected to be completed in 2024.
If successful, the project will then move into the delivery phase, with construction anticipated to be concluded in 2028.
The ECI Contracting framework allows the contractor to provide valuable insights and expertise from project inception through to construction. Other advantages of this contracting methodology include:
Risk Mitigation: ECI contracts enable the early identification and mitigation of project risks, reducing the potential for costly issues later in the construction process.
Risk Sharing: These contracts can include risk-sharing mechanisms, distributing risks equitably among parties to ensure a fair allocation of responsibilities.
Improved Project Quality and Understanding: Collaboration from the outset fosters better project quality through early problem-solving, innovative solutions, and enhanced design. Contractors gain a detailed understanding of the project’s development process, which is valuable for the construction phase.
Value Engineering: ECI contracts often involve value engineering, where contractors suggest cost-effective alternatives that do not compromise project quality.
Reduced Claims and Disputes: Early collaboration helps prevent disputes and claims, saving time and resources that would otherwise be spent on legal matters, such as EOT (Extension of Time) claims and variation claims.
Suggestion: For a detailed understanding of ECI Contracts, read this article: What is an ECI Contract? (And How It Works)
RAAF Bases Curtin and Learmonth - Details
RAAF Base Learmonth
RAAF Base Learmonth is situated on the North West Cape peninsula of Western Australia, approximately 30 kilometers south of Exmouth. Like RAAF Base Curtin, it holds the distinction of being one of the Royal Australian Air Force’s three “bare bases,” indicating its suitability for various exercises and operational requirements.
The base has a rich history dating back to the 1950s when it was established to provide support for land, air, and sea operations aimed at securing Australia’s northern approaches.
During World War II, the airfield, known as ‘Potshot’ at that time, played a significant role in protecting the US Navy’s submarine base in the Exmouth Gulf. Additionally, it hosted several Air Force radar stations, which provided early warning of enemy movements.
After World War II, No 5 Airfield Construction Squadron upgraded the airfield in the early 1970s, further enhancing its capabilities.
RAAF Base Curtin
RAAF Base Curtin is situated on the north coast of Western Australia, approximately 170 kilometers east of Broome and southeast of Derby. Its history dates back to the 1950s when it was established to support land, air, and sea operations aimed at securing Australia’s northern approaches.
This base was officially inaugurated in 1988 and is named in honor of John Curtin, a former Prime Minister of Australia who served from 1941 to 1945. Curtin holds a special status among the Royal Australian Air Force’s bases as one of the “bare bases,” indicating its capacity for use in training exercises and operational activities.
