06 September 2005
Key Points:
This is the first time that a complex PPP project has conducted its tender process in a secure online environment.
The RailCorp Rolling Stock PPP Team lead by Doug Jones has been working with the Legal Technology Support (LTS) Team in the design and release of the "RailCorp Rolling Stock PPP Project Web" internet site. Project Web has been devised to manage the bidding phase of this complicated project. The project involves the procurement of private entities to provide available trains for RailCorp's use, in order to replace the existing fleet of trains in New South Wales.
Project Web is yet another example of how the Clayton Utz PPP team applies innovative solutions to the complicated issues that PPP transactions present.
Through Project Web, the bidding teams can access the Request for Detailed Proposals and electronic Data Rooms containing documents and other information relevant to the project. Bidding teams can also participate in the Request for Information (RFI) facility. The RFI facility allows the bidding teams to ask questions online directly to the RailCorp PPP Team. The RailCorp PPP Team has graded levels of access so that the identity of the bidding team asking the question is protected. Generally, all bidding teams are able to view the questions asked by all other bidding teams, together with the answers, as each question is answered. Confidential questions may also be asked by bidding teams and cannot viewed by any person except the relevant bidding team and the RailCorp PPP Team.
The electronic Data Room facility has avoided the need for RailCorp to provide bidders with access to a physical Data Room. It also means that bidders can access the relevant documents remotely 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thereby enabling bids to be prepared more efficiently.
Project Web also includes a secure depository for internal drafts of project documents and position papers which is maintained and used on a restricted access basis for the RailCorp PPP Team, RailCorp and other advisers only, allowing for a streamlined communication process between team members.
This is the first time that a complex PPP project has conducted its tender process in a secure online environment. The LTS Team, through the use of customised internal software and the custom designed Project Web, has been able to simplify the bidding process for the project and reduce the RailCorp's response time in providing the request for detailed proposals and other information to the bidding teams.
Project Web includes a full audit trail of the site usage including records of:
The audit trail allows RailCorp to create a simultaneous record of information issue, site and document access and site and document usage and thus maintain transparency of the information flow to the bidding teams.
Project Web was designed and is managed by the LTS Team which is a specialised practice group within Clayton Utz composed of solicitors, project managers, paralegals, data analysts and software developers.
The LTS Team provides innovative information management solutions to Clayton Utz clients.
Project Web opened in May with over 300 users having been provided access.
