During its latest Board of Commissioners meeting in New York Dec. 12, the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced it will release a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Project Delivery Partner (PDP) on the Hudson Tunnel Project.
In a press release making the announcement, the GDC said it believes that engaging with a PDP will dramatically increase its technical, financial and legal capacities to manage and deliver the project, including enhancements to project planning, programming, design management and construction management capabilities.
The GDC says that the potential performance incentives will also increase discipline in delivering the project efficiently.
“This innovative approach to delivering the Hudson Tunnel Project is the kind of outside-the-box thinking we must bring on this critical project,” said New Jersey Commissioner and GDC co-Chair Balpreet Grewal-Virk. “Private industry has told us they are ready to partner and help make sure the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project is built. This moves us another big step in that direction.”
“This procurement approach for the Hudson Tunnel Project preserves flexibility and allows for opportunities to introduce innovative thinking into the project,” said Amtrak Chairman and GDC Vice Chair Anthony Coscia. “With partnerships that bring cost and schedule discipline, we’re putting GDC in the best possible position to deliver on our commitments.”
Under the PDP model – which has been used successfully internationally on projects such as the London Olympic Games, HS2 in the U.K. and Sydney Metro in Australia – the private partner is embedded with the asset owner and shares a collective focus on outcomes and incentives for meeting milestones on time.
Kolluri
The GDC PDP, which will be among the first delivery partner model contracts in the United States, ensures the GDC maintains oversight of all elements of the project.
“Building the most urgent infrastructure project in the nation takes a strong partnership with the private sector that includes every area from international and nationwide companies to local and DBE firms,” said Kris Kolluri, GDC chief executive officer. “Adding the expertise, innovation and scale of a project delivery partner will be an enormous benefit as we work to make the Gateway Hudson Tunnel a model of effective and responsible project management.”
The RFQ is expected to be issued in the coming days.
