In June 2018, the NSW government released ‘A ten point commitment to the construction sector’. The statement, developed by the NSW Government’s Construction Leadership Group (CLG), includes a commitment to ‘procure and manage projects in a more collaborative way’.  To inform this discussion the ATS wishes to introduce the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) ‘Emerald Book Conditions of Contract for Underground Works’.  This is the first international contract form specifically tailored for underground works.  It has a specific focus on the inherent geotechnical subsurface risks associated with this type of construction.

The document, developed by the ITA and first issued in May 2019, is based on the principle that risks shall be allocated to the Party that is best positioned to manage them. The presentation will provide an overview of the main concepts of the new FIDIC Emerald Book, with emphasis on the use of the Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) as the key document that defines the contractual geotechnical baselines agreed by the Parties and the risk allocation mechanisms that are used for re-measurement and adjustment of construction time and cost.

About the Speaker

Alex Gomes is a civil engineer with over 27 years of international experience in the design and construction of multi-disciplinary tunnel and underground works and applied geotechnical and geomechanical engineering. Alex has worked on major projects across Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Americas, including projects of subways, railways, roads, mining, utilities, water and hydropower plants, providing expert advice on technical, forensic and contractual aspects for sub-surface works.

Alex holds the position of Chief Technical Principal – Tunnels and Underground at SMEC and is the past Vice-President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES).During the preparation of the FIDIC Emerald Book, Alex acted on behalf of ITA as a peer-reviewer of the document.