$5.6B Brisbane Airport Link PPP

In my diverse role as a Tender Writer, Editor, Coordinator, and Photographer, I contributed to the success of the BrisConnections team's winning RFP submission for the Brisbane Airport Link PPP—a massive project valued at $5.6 billion in 2008.

Working with Thiess, John Holland, Macquarie Bank, Arup, and WSP (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff), I played a key role in crafting a cohesive and compelling proposal. With a bid budget in excess of $50M and a team of over 200 people, I was integral in delivering a comprehensive submission. This included a massive printed response (weighing over 2.5 tonnes of paper!), a fully functional website, and overarching branding—all tailored to meet the tender's requirements. I'm proud to have contributed to showcasing the team's collective expertise and securing such a significant opportunity.

A personal highlight was the opportunity to work directly with Dr. Charles MacDonald, Thiess' Chief Engineer, to craft the executive summary for the bid. Our collaborative efforts effectively highlighted the multitude of benefits and innovations inherent in the detailed design, which played a crucial role in securing the project.

Crown Commercial Service, Voucher Schemes Framework RFP, UK

The Voucher Schemes Framework RFP to Crown Commercial Service, was aimed to establish a comprehensive framework for voucher schemes, facilitating efficient access to essential services across various sectors. I worked with Wonde, a UK-based digital solutions company, to provide coaching to their highly technical team who were new to tendering. I guided the Wonde team through bid strategy sessions, developed response plans, and ensured compliance with client objectives. Throughout the bid, I managed the review process, coached team members, ensured alignment with client requirements and a successful outcome and was even trusted with uploading the final submission!

$1.9B Sydney Desalination Alliance

As part of the Sydney Desalination Alliance bid, I played a key role in delivering the tender submission for the Thiess, General Electric team. My responsibilities included writing bios for a team of over 130 engineering professionals – ensuring each profile effectively highlighted how their expertise would contribution to the project.

I managed various schedule responses, working closely with SMEs to develop drafts and write comprehensive responses. My efforts were focused on creating a cohesive and compelling submission that showcased our team’s capabilities and commitment to delivering a successful desalination project. My contributions were integral to presenting a well-rounded and professional proposal.

Western Program Alliance

The Western Program Alliance (WPA) is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at removing level crossings and improving rail and road transport efficiency across Melbourne. The alliance, comprising the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP), McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald, and Metro Trains Melbourne, focuses on enhancing safety, reducing congestion, and delivering long-term benefits to the community.

Initially, in 2017, I worked at the inception of the WPA as a Bid Writer to draft project management plans that reflected the alliance team members' requirements. Collaborating closely with the LXRP team and the McConnell Dowell team, I ensured that expectations were met and alignment was achieved.

I returned in 2021 to assist with streamlining the TOC submission development in the role of Submission Manager. I managed the delivery of TOCs for Mount Derrimut Rd, Webb St Narre Warren, Webster St, and Diggers Rest, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of these critical components of the project. I developed tools to streamline the TOC submission development process by liaising with LXRP and cross-alliance stakeholders. My efforts resulted in drastically reducing the amount of Post-TOC clarifications and raising the overall quality of communications in each TOC submission.

$1.8B Northern Link Tunnel DCMO, QLD

As part of the $1.8 billion Northern Link Tunnel project (Legacy Way), I contributed as Bid Writer to delivering the tender submission for the Transcity JV team, comprising Acciona, BMD, and Ghella.

My responsibilities included writing various returnable schedules and management plans, working closely with SMEs to develop drafts and write comprehensive responses. Additionally, I assisted with integrating review feedback to ensure the submission met all RFP requirements while reflecting Transcity’s key messages. My efforts were focused on creating a cohesive and compelling submission that showcased our team’s capabilities and commitment to delivering a successful tunnel project. My contributions were integral to presenting a well-rounded and professional proposal.

$6.8B East west Link PPP

As a Bid Writer, Creative Lead, and Photographer for the Samsung, Ferrovial, Ghella Joint Venture on the $6.8B East West Link tunnel RFP, I played an important role in managing the high-stakes international team project. This assignment involved collaboration with SMEs from Korea, Italy, Spain, and other global locations to ensure our submission exceeded client RFP requirements.

I managed the production of a submission marketing video, including scriptwriting, location briefs, engaging videographers, and logistics to ensure technical quality. Additionally, I facilitated an internal review process to refine our responses and worked closely with technical and legal teams to guarantee compliance.

To support the submission team, I developed tools to streamline the bid process and trained new team members on tendering processes and requirements. I also met with external stakeholders, including representatives from the Melbourne Zoo, to address their concerns and incorporate their feedback into our proposal. Using my photography skills, I captured professional portraits of the entire project team, adding a personal touch to our bid. My efforts were a large part of delivering a polished, professional, and timely submission, showcasing the JV’s capabilities and commitment to excellence.

BHP General Maintenance Services Contract – Pilbara Region

The BHP Maintenance Services Contract involved securing a major maintenance contract (Hard FM) for BHP’s Pilbara region operations. Working with Downer, I was responsible for delivering the ITT response to BHP, a submission aimed at showcasing Downer’s capability to manage and maintain BHP’s critical infrastructure effectively.

Initially, I drafted content for ITT responses, including 27 management plans. I liaised with SMEs for input, created a review process, coordinated the overall response, and facilitated the bid kickoff meeting and win theme workshops. I thoroughly read all ITT documents, and drafted the bid preparation timeline and executive summary. I managed the review process, structured responses, briefed SMEs / technical writers, and coached SMEs unfamiliar with bid submissions. Throughout the process, I managed reviews, maintained document control, tracked and developed drafts, and worked weekends to ensure timely completion. I ensured compliance, tracked down missing content from across Downer, and published documents.

After submitting the bid, along with the Downer management team, I met with BHP to integrate their feedback into the management plans. I also drafted a post submission requested Community Relations Plan, Local Engagement Plan, and external communications. My efforts significantly contributing to the successful award of the contract.

$2B Melbourne Metro Rail Systems Alliance

The Melbourne Metro Rail Systems Alliance focused on designing, constructing, and integrating various rail systems components, such as signaling, communications, power supply, and critical infrastructure elements.

During the EOI stage, I worked with the Systemix facilitator and various SMEs from the John Holland, Siemens and UGL team, to frame responses for different Schedules, ensuring alignment with project requirements. This involved analysing EOI documents, evaluating reviewer comments, and participating in strategy sessions for each response schedule.

In the RFP phase, my responsibilities expanded to writing and collaborating with SMEs to develop comprehensive responses, including the sustainability component. Additionally, I contributed photography to enhance the impact and effectiveness of our submission.

$3B F3–M2 Transurban (B2B) Tunnel RFP, NSW

I worked on the $3 billion F3–M2 Transurban (B2B) Tunnel RFP in NSW, collaborating with the Globalink JV, a partnership between Ghella and Acciona. Our submission to Transurban focused on developing a commercially viable solution to connect the M1 Pacific Motorway (formerly known as the F3 Freeway) at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills. I wrote and edited content, worked closely with SMEs to develop comprehensive content, managed graphics, and assisted with branding and coordination of the extensive documentation. The offset printed submission involved extensive publishing management — I even drove the delivery truck to submit it!

SEQWater Collaborative Maintenance Contract RFP

The SEQWater Collaborative Maintenance Contract aimed to maintaining SEQWater's extensive water infrastructure in SE Queensland. This collaborative contract sought to establish partnerships ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of the region's water supply infrastructure. For this submission, working with Ventia (formerly Transfield Services), I analysed RFP documents, participated in strategy sessions, and collaborated closely with key stakeholders. I managed and edited crucial response sections and tailored team CVs to align with client objectives. Additionally, I participated in workshops, and delivered final edits of my assigned sections, including the executive summary and cover letter, ensuring a polished and cohesive submission.

Chris Cornish, General Manager Strategy & Growth – Ventia

“Over the past years, dare I say ten plus, I have engaged Rob to support me with work winning activities as part of the teams I have led. We often found ourselves needing a larger team to respond to our needs and were lucky enough to be able to work with Rob.
I always value and appreciate several aspects of how Rob assists us, the diversity of opinion, the ability to draw succinct understanding of our challenges, the ability to quickly adopt into the team and contribute with valued opinion has always been appreciated from Rob.”

Toby Briggs, General Manager – Growth
Martinus Rail

“Rob’s expertise aided our efforts in major pursuits, including the Inland Rail RCP and CWP packages, the Melbourne Airport Rail Corridor Package, among many others. His ability to think like the client ensured our submissions provided concise clarity about our offerings. Beyond this, Rob was integral in developing the bid processes we utilise today, helping us grow from minor project bidding to bidding on highly complex, multi-disciplined rail infrastructure projects as the sole principal contractor.

Rob is always my first point of call when we need additional support for our bidding efforts, as well as personally when I want to talk to a friendly and familiar face. Rob is a genuine, caring individual whose friendship, both professionally and personally, I cherish.”

Shaun Kempton, National Water Manager – John Holland

“Having worked on various bids together for over five years, I highly value Rob’s enthusiasm, calmness and the quality of work that he brings to every proposal. Rob has a great ability to quickly understand bid objectives and work with the bid team to drive content that is easily understood and highly valuable, in a unique and creative manner. Rob is generally the first person I will call when planning for any new bid or tender.”

Marc Allen, Director RPS – Transaction Advisor (LXRP) Level Crossing Removal Project

“Rob is a great collaborator. I have worked with Rob on a couple of projects and he has been great to work with and his calm, structured and friendly approach gets the job done. Rob is certainly someone I would enjoy working with again and would have no hesitation in recommending him for your bids.”

Diane Bettess, General Manager – Boart Longyear Australasia

"Rob's talents have been utilised by me for almost 10 years – I highly recommend him. His strong work ethic coupled with attention to detail and creativity have provided a winning combination for many tenders. We have worked together across a number of industries. His ability to get along with a wide range of people in usually stressful situations is a key strength. His calmness and desire to get it right are key attributes especially when you are right up against a deadline. Rob's work is top quality and he is a top guy too!"

Robb Van Toledo, General Manager Development, Western Program Alliance

“Rob Vallender and I worked closely together on many high pressure bid preparation/submissions for the Western Program Alliance on LXRP.
Rob proved to be rock solid and ‘unflapable’, providing solutions and a ‘one team approach’. Rob always had a plan and was proactive in delivering it.
I look forward to working with Rob in future and have no reservations recommending Rob as Submission Manager.”

Neale Talbot, National Submission Manager, John Holland

"Rob is a great person to have on your tenders. His ability to quickly understand and translate highly technical information into easily readable information is highly valuable. Rob can also help present the information in more interesting and creative ways to engage and inform an audience. I highly recommend him when you want to take a tender from good to great.”

John Kirkwood, Territory Manager - Western Australia Boart Longyear

"Rob has provided extremely high quality service to me on numerous occasions in the form of tender writing for very important customers as well as some marketing projects that have included photography and video. Rob's attention to detail ensures his work clearly addresses the topic and is easily read. His creative approach makes sure his work is unique and attention seeking.
I look forward to working with Rob on future projects.”

Rail & Light Rail

• Western Program Alliance (road & rail):

  • LXRP – Mount Derrimut Rd Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Webb St Narre Warren Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Webster St Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Diggers Rest Level Crossing Removal TOC

• $400M Melbourne Airport Link – Airport Corridor Package

• $300M Inland Rail – Parkes to Narromine (P2N), NSW

• $1.2B Inland Rail – Narrabri to Northstar (N2N), NSW

• $797M Byford Rail Extension RFP, WA

• Sydney Metro Independent Certifier Services EOI, NSW

• Country Regional Network RFP, NSW

• Midland Railway Station PTA, WA

• Lakelands Railway Station PTA, WA

• $450M Inland Rail – Narribri to North Star SP1, NSW

• Wiri to Quay Park KiwiRail ECI, NZ

• More Trains More Services EOI, NSW

• $800M Sydney Metro Rail Systems Alliance, NSW

• Sydney Metro Line-Wide Works EOI, NSW

• Auckland Metro Rail Systems Alliance, NZ

• $100M+ Newcastle Light Rail RFT, NSW

• $2B Melbourne Metro Rail Systems Alliance

• $50M MetWest Alliance (Rail), VIC

• TAP (Rail) Easy Access Station Upgrades (5 Stations) – Managing Contractor, NSW

• $440M Murray Basin Rail

• $518M Ballarat Line Upgrade Alliance (Rail)

• $650M Regional Rail Link WP-E RFT, VIC

• $80M Moreton Bay Rail Link ECI, QLD

• Wiggins Island Rail RFT, QLD

• QR Rocklands, QLD

• Aurizon Rail Civil Works, QLD

• Northlink Stage 1 – Tonkin Grade Separation & Reconstruction EOI, WA

• Kenwick Rail RFP Response Review, WA

Alliances

(compiled from aforementioned projects)

• Western Program Alliance (road & rail), VIC:

  • Wrote initial WPA Management Plans

  • LXRP – Mount Derrimut Rd Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Webb St Narre Warren Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Webster St Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Diggers Rest Level Crossing Removal TOC

• Sydney Metro Rail Systems Alliance, NSW

• Auckland Metro Rail Systems Alliance, NZ

• Byford Rail Extension Alliance RFP, WA

• Melbourne Metro Rail Systems Alliance, VIC

• MetWest Alliance (Rail), VIC

• Ballarat Line Upgrade Alliance (Rail)

• Sydney Desalination Plant Alliance, NSW

• Odour Management Program
  Alliance, NSW

• Melbourne Eastern Treatment Plant
  Operation Alliance, VIC

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital
  Works Alliance, VIC

• Malabar PARR Alliance, NSW

• Hunter Treatment Alliance, NSW

• Logan Water Program Alliance, QLD

• Beenyup AWRP Alliance RFP, WA

• Westgate Upgrade Alliance, VIC

• West Gate Bridge Strengthening Alliance, VIC

• Gateway Upgrade Alliance, QLD

• Anthonys Cutting Alliance, VIC

• Cardwell Range Alliance, QLD

• Woodman Point WWTP Upgrade Alliance, WA

Water

• $15M Yeppoon STP Upgrade, QLD

• Woodman Point WWTP Upgrade Alliance, WA

• $2B Sydney Desalination Plant Alliance, NSW

• $1.1B Adelaide Desalination Plant, SA

• $3.1B Victorian Desalination Plant, VIC

• $1.2B Gold Coast Desalination Plant, QLD

• $50M Aeration Duplication, VIC

• $120M Connors to Moranbah Pipeline, QLD

• Moranbah to Alpha Pipeline ECI, QLD

• $200M Odour Management Program
  Alliance, NSW

• $80M Beenyup AWRP Alliance RFP, WA

• Melbourne Eastern Treatment Plant
  Operation Alliance, VIC

• $625M Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline, VIC

• $80M Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital
  Works Alliance, VIC

• $200M Malabar PARR Alliance, NSW

• $80M City West Water Percentile and Responsive Maintenance Services Provider Contract, VIC

• Hunter Treatment Alliance, NSW

• Muswellbrook Recycle WTW EOI, NSW

• Lower South Creek Treatment Program Delivery Partner RFP,
  Sydney Water, NSW

• NW Growth Centre Package 2,
  Sydney Water, NSW

• Nambour STP, QLD

• South West Network and Facility Renewals Program,
  Sydney Water, NSW

• Boneo WTP M&E Maintenance Services Proposal, VIC

• Logan Water Program Alliance, QLD

• Subiaco WWTP Upgrade, WA

• Network Facility & Renewals Program Panel, NSW

• Seqwater Collaborative Maintenance Contract RFP, QLD

Tunnels

• $5.6B BrisConnections - AirportLink, QLD

• $6B East West Link PPP, VIC

• $3B F3-M2 (NorthConnex) Tunnel, NSW

• $1.8B Northern Link Tunnel DCMO, QLD

• $3.2B NSBT / CLEM 7 Tunnel, QLD

Oil & Gas

• Chevron Gorgon Wheatstone Maintenance Services Contract, WA

• Woodside PLUTO McDermott – Water Handling Unit Hook-Up Works, ITT

• $100M Shell Prelude FLNG – Operation & Brownfield Modifications Contract, WA

• Arrow Energy Civil Works RFT, QLD

• Woodside – Hard & Soft FM Services, WA

Defence

• RAAF Civil Works, QLD

• RAAF Base Point Cook Redevelopment RFP, VIC

• Defence Base Services Transformation – Waste Management

• Defence Base Services Transformation – Living & Working Services

• Defence Base Services Transformation – Property & Asset Services

• Defence Base Services Transformation – Project Delivery Services

• Defence Base Services Transformation – Remote Base Services

• Defence Base Services Transformation – Security

• Airport Drone Monitoring Services, NSW

Building

• $130M TAC Geelong Building, VIC

• Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal Expansion ITT , QLD

Roads

• M5 Westbound Traffic Upgrade EOI, NSW

• Beaches Link Professional Services Contract RFT, NSW

• Western Program Alliance (road & rail):

  • LXRP – Mount Derrimut Rd Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Webb St Narre Warren Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Webster St Level Crossing Removal TOC

  • LXRP – Diggers Rest Level Crossing Removal TOC

• F3–M2 Transurban (B2B) Tunnel RFP, NSW

• $600M Westgate Upgrade Alliance, VIC

• $250M West Gate Bridge Strengthening Alliance, VIC

• $500M Gateway Upgrade Alliance, QLD

• $100M Anthonys Cutting Alliance, VIC

• $11M Kirkwood Road Upgrade, NSW

• $700M Peninsula Link PPP, VIC

• $100M Cardwell Range Alliance, QLD

• $120M Geelong Bypass – Stage 3, VIC

• $2M Edwards Bridge Upgrade, QLD

• $60M Warrego Highway Intersection
  Upgrade, QLD

• $60M New Parallel Runway
  Brisbane Airport, QLD

• Cassowary Coast EOI, QLD

• Regional QLD DTMR Civil Services Panel, QLD

Mining

• BHP General Maintenance Services Contract – Pilbara Region, WA

• Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal
  (4 packages), QLD

• Rio Tinto Yarwun Alumina Refinery, Maintenance Services
  Contract RFP, WA

• Kooragang Island Capital Works, NSW

• Yara Pilbara Maintenance Contract RFT, WA

• BHP Soft FM & Catering Services, WA

• Alcoa Multi-Disciplinary Services Contract, WA

Drilling & Geotechnical

• $30M Underground Drilling Services
  Contract, WA

• $80M Drilling Services Contract, SA

Environmental & Remediation

• Sydney Metro Chatswood Precinct Worksite Remediation Works RFT, NSW

• Macdonaldtown Gasworks Remediation RFT, NSW

• Visy Clean Energy Project – Fuel Processing Plant, NSW

• Visy Clean Energy Project – Power Station, NSW

• Logan City Council Tree Pruning & Removal RFP, QLD

• Morning Peninsula Shire Council Tree Management RFP, VIC

• Morning Peninsula Shire Council Open Spaces
  Management RFP, VIC

• Morning Peninsula Shire Council Bushland Management RFP, VIC

Professional Services

• TfNSW Ventia Ways of Working, NSW

• Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme, ACT

• Beaches Link Professional Services Contract RFT, NSW

• Crown Commercial Service, Voucher Schemes Framework RFP, UK

• Primary Health Services Australia RFT (Correctional Services)

• Bankwest Debt Collection RFP

• Optus Debt Collection Contract RFP

• Telstra Debt Collection eTender RFP

• Safe Tasks, FQMAN RFP Review

• Skills2Choices DEEWR Career Development Services RFT