Contractor misses out on $5m job despite highest rating
Dowsing was one of four groups that put in a bid for the three-year contract with the City of Cockburn to provide in situ concreting, such as footpaths, shared use paths, crossovers and concrete pads or footings.
It was given an assessment score of 80 out of 100, but at its July 8 meeting the council gave the job to Axiis Contracting, which scored 79.94.
Bids were assessed on experience, resources, methodology, sustainability, if they were local, and their price.
The city's evaluation panel, which comprises six city officers, recommended Axiis because it considered its bid had the least risk or chance of variations, and the group had better references.
'Reference checking on Axiis Contracting referred to positive comments reflecting timely and quality work outcomes with no hidden charges,' its report said.
'Reference checking on Dowsing scored less than Axiis Contracting with potential issues raised for operators and their approach to safety. Overall a positive reference was provided.'
Dowsing WA operations manager Sam Dowsing told the council he was surprised to read Axiis' references were rated as more favourable than Dowsing's and asked if they could be independently validated.
'This is not our experience talking to the market that we both serve in,' he said.
'In 40 years of business serving local governments, we've never seen a recommendation contradict the outcome of the tender assessment.
'We'd like to question the integrity of the over-ride of the outcome of the extensive assessment criteria, given Dowsing scored the highest ranking.'
Infrastructure services manager Anton Lees said the city had followed Local Government Act regulations when assessing bids for the contract.
He said the city had carried out reference checking on Axiis.
'We've taken that information on board and obviously provided that recommendation in the report on those references,' Mr Lees said.
On its website, Dowsing says it has an 'uncompromising focus on high-quality workmanship, safety and creating positive outcomes'.
It has been operating since 1985 and Axiis since 2013.
Both groups are based in Maddington. No bids were received from groups based within the city or Perth South Metropolitan Alliance region.
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4 days ago
- Perth Now
Contractor misses out on $5m job despite highest rating
A Maddington business has asked why it was not awarded a $5.3 million local government contract despite receiving the highest assessment score. Dowsing was one of four groups that put in a bid for the three-year contract with the City of Cockburn to provide in situ concreting, such as footpaths, shared use paths, crossovers and concrete pads or footings. It was given an assessment score of 80 out of 100, but at its July 8 meeting the council gave the job to Axiis Contracting, which scored 79.94. Bids were assessed on experience, resources, methodology, sustainability, if they were local, and their price. The city's evaluation panel, which comprises six city officers, recommended Axiis because it considered its bid had the least risk or chance of variations, and the group had better references. 'Reference checking on Axiis Contracting referred to positive comments reflecting timely and quality work outcomes with no hidden charges,' its report said. 'Reference checking on Dowsing scored less than Axiis Contracting with potential issues raised for operators and their approach to safety. Overall a positive reference was provided.' Dowsing WA operations manager Sam Dowsing told the council he was surprised to read Axiis' references were rated as more favourable than Dowsing's and asked if they could be independently validated. 'This is not our experience talking to the market that we both serve in,' he said. 'In 40 years of business serving local governments, we've never seen a recommendation contradict the outcome of the tender assessment. 'We'd like to question the integrity of the over-ride of the outcome of the extensive assessment criteria, given Dowsing scored the highest ranking.' Infrastructure services manager Anton Lees said the city had followed Local Government Act regulations when assessing bids for the contract. He said the city had carried out reference checking on Axiis. 'We've taken that information on board and obviously provided that recommendation in the report on those references,' Mr Lees said. On its website, Dowsing says it has an 'uncompromising focus on high-quality workmanship, safety and creating positive outcomes'. It has been operating since 1985 and Axiis since 2013. Both groups are based in Maddington. No bids were received from groups based within the city or Perth South Metropolitan Alliance region.
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More flights to more destinations, more competition on airfares, more freight options for NSW suppliers, more jobs, and the option to avoid driving to Sydney or risk a domestic connection to another city for an international flight. Newcastle Airport is advanced in plans to be the airport we deserve, with investment in an international runway and terminal. This week, direct flights to Perth were announced, providing one-stop links to London and Europe. No different to strategies progressed by most major airports, the airport is investing in property development that diversifies services and income. A 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report shows employment and economic contribution from Australian airport precincts eclipsing that of core aviation activities. Even land owners near Newcastle Airport get the opportunity, as complementary development proposals are pursued. Air freight is also an economic driver, comprising 13 per cent of Australian exports. 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When developments in the airport precinct, international upgrades and a cargo terminal are realised, these collectively will replace more than 16 per cent of the predicted jobs deficit. This is not a game for our region. Real jobs, communities and economic security are at risk. The committee is advocating hard with government and business for focus and investment, including the airport, positioning the region as grown-up, unified, professional and a sure bet. But the expression of local politics on airport matters shows that narrower interests are at play. In an own goal for the Hunter, this has bled into federal politics, with the Opposition threatening to air the matter in Senate Estimates. This is damaging negotiations on airport deals to secure the partnerships we need. The entire region, not just Newcastle, has an interest in the success of the airport. With the new terminal opening within months, now is the time to back-in one of the region's most important economic engines. 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As a government-owned asset, the airport also reports to councils under frameworks mandated by the Local Government Act. Aviation is one of the most regulated sectors in Australia, bringing heavy compliance and reporting obligations. Add requirements under the Corporations Act, Newcastle Airport is not a business that can avoid transparency and accountability: to shareholders, markets, regulators or the public. As the airport expands, so do the obligations, revenue and operational costs, requiring more ambitious investment to maintain standards and competitiveness. More flights to more destinations, more competition on airfares, more freight options for NSW suppliers, more jobs, and the option to avoid driving to Sydney or risk a domestic connection to another city for an international flight. Newcastle Airport is advanced in plans to be the airport we deserve, with investment in an international runway and terminal. This week, direct flights to Perth were announced, providing one-stop links to London and Europe. No different to strategies progressed by most major airports, the airport is investing in property development that diversifies services and income. A 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report shows employment and economic contribution from Australian airport precincts eclipsing that of core aviation activities. Even land owners near Newcastle Airport get the opportunity, as complementary development proposals are pursued. Air freight is also an economic driver, comprising 13 per cent of Australian exports. We expect the airport to review opportunities to build this, as they have in partnership with the Joint Organisation of Councils in the proposal for an air cargo terminal. The region has much more at stake in the success of the airport than just securing that coveted flight to Singapore or the US, made possible by airport upgrades. We are a $91 billion economy entering structural adjustment as the contribution of coal declines, with 55,000 jobs at risk over the next 15 years. These government figures are not modelled on demand for coal. They reflect the supply-side hard baked into our future, including dates for the closure of coal-fired power stations and planning approvals for mines. You can hear the urgency from Upper Hunter mayors as they join advocacy for investment in the airport as part of the solution. When developments in the airport precinct, international upgrades and a cargo terminal are realised, these collectively will replace more than 16 per cent of the predicted jobs deficit. This is not a game for our region. Real jobs, communities and economic security are at risk. The committee is advocating hard with government and business for focus and investment, including the airport, positioning the region as grown-up, unified, professional and a sure bet. But the expression of local politics on airport matters shows that narrower interests are at play. In an own goal for the Hunter, this has bled into federal politics, with the Opposition threatening to air the matter in Senate Estimates. This is damaging negotiations on airport deals to secure the partnerships we need. The entire region, not just Newcastle, has an interest in the success of the airport. With the new terminal opening within months, now is the time to back-in one of the region's most important economic engines. Efforts should be focused on how to increase the feasibility of this generational opportunity and maximise benefits for Hunter residents, businesses and the economy. Newcastle Airport has come a long way since commercial flights began operating out of a tin shed in 1948. It is not among the signature rural or remote airfields that provide limited, but essential, services for emergency, flight training, charter flights and industry. Newcastle Airport instead services a catchment of more than 1.1 million, connecting 1.2 million passengers a year to capital cities, regional centres and tourism hotspots. It directly supports more than 5700 local jobs and generates $1 billion in economic impact. With scale comes complexity and risk, and the airport has a corporate structure, board and a big balance sheet. The reporting that readers have seen provides insights into governance and risk management frameworks in action. As a government-owned asset, the airport also reports to councils under frameworks mandated by the Local Government Act. Aviation is one of the most regulated sectors in Australia, bringing heavy compliance and reporting obligations. Add requirements under the Corporations Act, Newcastle Airport is not a business that can avoid transparency and accountability: to shareholders, markets, regulators or the public. As the airport expands, so do the obligations, revenue and operational costs, requiring more ambitious investment to maintain standards and competitiveness. More flights to more destinations, more competition on airfares, more freight options for NSW suppliers, more jobs, and the option to avoid driving to Sydney or risk a domestic connection to another city for an international flight. Newcastle Airport is advanced in plans to be the airport we deserve, with investment in an international runway and terminal. This week, direct flights to Perth were announced, providing one-stop links to London and Europe. No different to strategies progressed by most major airports, the airport is investing in property development that diversifies services and income. A 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report shows employment and economic contribution from Australian airport precincts eclipsing that of core aviation activities. Even land owners near Newcastle Airport get the opportunity, as complementary development proposals are pursued. Air freight is also an economic driver, comprising 13 per cent of Australian exports. We expect the airport to review opportunities to build this, as they have in partnership with the Joint Organisation of Councils in the proposal for an air cargo terminal. The region has much more at stake in the success of the airport than just securing that coveted flight to Singapore or the US, made possible by airport upgrades. We are a $91 billion economy entering structural adjustment as the contribution of coal declines, with 55,000 jobs at risk over the next 15 years. These government figures are not modelled on demand for coal. They reflect the supply-side hard baked into our future, including dates for the closure of coal-fired power stations and planning approvals for mines. You can hear the urgency from Upper Hunter mayors as they join advocacy for investment in the airport as part of the solution. When developments in the airport precinct, international upgrades and a cargo terminal are realised, these collectively will replace more than 16 per cent of the predicted jobs deficit. This is not a game for our region. Real jobs, communities and economic security are at risk. The committee is advocating hard with government and business for focus and investment, including the airport, positioning the region as grown-up, unified, professional and a sure bet. But the expression of local politics on airport matters shows that narrower interests are at play. In an own goal for the Hunter, this has bled into federal politics, with the Opposition threatening to air the matter in Senate Estimates. This is damaging negotiations on airport deals to secure the partnerships we need. The entire region, not just Newcastle, has an interest in the success of the airport. With the new terminal opening within months, now is the time to back-in one of the region's most important economic engines. Efforts should be focused on how to increase the feasibility of this generational opportunity and maximise benefits for Hunter residents, businesses and the economy.
