Project Overview

TAG Advisory was appointed to Main Roads Western Australia's (Main Roads) Cost Estimating and Commercial Services Panel Contract in August 2023, securing a position on Service Area 2 for specialist contract support services. This strategic appointment covers an initial two-year term with three one-year extension options, potentially extending to August 2028. The panel arrangement specifically recognises TAG Advisory's expertise in resolving complex and high-value contractual claims involving extensions of time and additional costs on transport infrastructure projects. This appointment reinforces the continuous, collaborative relationship between Main Roads and TAG Advisory, positioning us as trusted commercial advisors across Main Roads' extensive portfolio of metropolitan and regional road and bridge projects.

Strategic Partnership for Complex Claims Resolution

The Service Area 2 appointment acknowledges TAG Advisory's specialised capability in navigating complex contractual matters that require sophisticated commercial expertise. Unlike routine cost estimation services, Service Area 2 focuses on high-stakes claim resolution, forensic analysis and strategic commercial advice for Main Roads' most challenging contractual situations. This specialist role demonstrates Main Roads' confidence in TAG Advisory's ability to protect the state's commercial interests whilst maintaining fair and equitable contractor relationships.

TAG Advisory actively provides specialist contract support services under this panel arrangement, with ongoing engagements across multiple projects demonstrating our value as Main Roads' trusted commercial advisor. The continuous nature of our involvement ensures deep familiarity with Main Roads' contract frameworks, risk appetite and commercial objectives, enabling rapid and effective response to emerging contractual challenges.

Specialist Contract Support Services

Under Service Area 2, TAG Advisory provides comprehensive specialist contract support services focused on complex claim resolution. Services encompass participation in contractual negotiations to resolve high-value claims, evaluation and negotiation of complex variations and strategic advice on claim mitigation and contract documentation improvements. The scope requires sophisticated understanding of construction law, contract administration, and commercial negotiation strategies.

Forensic analysis forms a critical component, with TAG Advisory conducting detailed examination of delay events, schedule impacts, and critical path analysis using advanced planning software including Primavera P6 and MS Project. Global claims analysis addresses complex issues of cumulative impact, delay and disruption, requiring meticulous documentation review and causation analysis. The team develops structured responses to contractor claims, prepares counter-claims where justified and establishes robust claim prevention and management procedures.

Strategic advisory services extend to contract risk exposure analysis, critical review of contractor programmes during procurement phases and development of claim management frameworks. This proactive approach helps Main Roads identify and mitigate potential claims before they materialise, reducing overall project risk and improving commercial outcomes.

Metropolitan and Regional Project Experience

TAG Advisory's extensive experience across both metropolitan and regional projects enhances our Service Area 2 delivery. Metropolitan projects present unique challenges with traffic management complexities, stakeholder interfaces and accelerated programmes that often generate intricate contractual claims. Regional projects introduce different claim dynamics related to resource availability, weather impacts and logistics challenges requiring specialised commercial understanding.

Our ongoing involvement across Main Roads' diverse project portfolio has developed deep insight into recurring claim themes and effective resolution strategies. Experience with major highway upgrades, bridge replacements, intersection improvements and regional road reconstructions provides comprehensive understanding of claim patterns across different project types and delivery models.

Continuous Advisory Relationship

The panel arrangement facilitates a continuous advisory relationship where TAG Advisory maintains ongoing familiarity with Main Roads' evolving contract strategies and commercial frameworks. This continuity enables immediate mobilisation when complex claims arise, with our specialists possessing current knowledge of Main Roads' precedents, risk positions and commercial objectives. Regular engagement across multiple concurrent projects ensures consistent advice and coordinated claim strategies.

The trusted advisor status achieved through continuous engagement enables frank discussion of commercial risks and collaborative development of resolution strategies. This relationship extends beyond reactive claim management to proactive contract improvement, with TAG Advisory's insights from claim resolution informing future contract documentation and risk allocation approaches.

Demonstrated Value Delivery

TAG Advisory's active participation under Service Area 2 has delivered measurable value through successful resolution of complex claims, protecting Main Roads' commercial position whilst maintaining contractor relationships. Our forensic analysis has identified critical weaknesses in contractor claims, enabling robust defence of Main Roads' position. Strategic negotiation support has achieved balanced commercial outcomes avoiding protracted disputes.

The specialist expertise provided ensures Main Roads approaches complex claims with confidence, backed by thorough analysis and strategic advice. Our ability to rapidly assess claim validity, quantify impacts and develop negotiation strategies reduces claim resolution timeframes and associated costs. This efficiency is particularly valuable given the increasing complexity and value of infrastructure claims in the current market environment.

Conclusion

The Cost Estimating and Commercial Services Panel Service Area 2 appointment represents Main Roads' recognition of TAG Advisory as a trusted specialist advisor for complex contractual matters. Through continuous engagement across metropolitan and regional projects, TAG Advisory has demonstrated exceptional capability in claim resolution, forensic analysis and strategic commercial advice. This ongoing partnership ensures Main Roads has immediate access to specialist contract support services from advisors who understand their commercial objectives, risk parameters and strategic priorities. TAG Advisory remains committed to protecting Main Roads' interests whilst fostering fair and productive contractor relationships, reinforcing our position as an indispensable commercial advisor in Western Australia's road and bridge infrastructure delivery programme.