PCG and Associates Pty Ltd Quantity Surveyors and Chartered Arbitrators

Introduction

At PCG & Associates we strive to create value for our clients. We provide consultancy based services for both the private and public sector. Our expertise is regulated by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and our consultants are affiliated MAIQS.

We challenge the fundamentals of project cost and use our combined experience to seek better outcomes for our clients in understanding better procurement, contracting, project cost management, cost reporting and trends, best effective cost delivery, commercial and contract management and dispute avoidance.

We engage at every level of project cost performance from procurement to final project close out with an interactive approach to project teams to maintain planned performance at best cost and time outcomes.

Our key values as a business are;

To challenge,
To improve,
To add benefit, and;
To resolve

We offer commercial governance for performance improvement and can work with any size business to understand current project cost performance, resolution priorities, including risk and opportunity for project assurance.

Services

PCG and Associates Pty Ltd is a Consultancy based business offering Quantity Surveying and Project Cost Management associated with building, engineering, rail infrastructure, civil, mining, oil and gas, green energy and defence projects. We are a multi disciplinary team with over 40 years experience to combine quantity surveying, cost engineering, and dispute resolution. Our services include;

Project delivery and Contracts Management,
Commercial governance and assurance Management,
Programming and Scheduling,
Technical advisory,
Contracts, claims and dispute management.
Expert Witness appointments for Expert Reports and Expert Testimony.
ADR, Adjudication, and Arbitral appointments.
Retained Legal Expert advisory to Counsel.

We operate in any environment including office based or site based, drive in, drive out or fly in, fly out. We operate in every state in Australia and to any location whether this be on major city infrastructure or remote based infrastructure.

Project example 21/01

Carmichael Rail Network-Bulk Earthworks

PCG were appointed in February 2021 to assist CRN in the commercial management of a substantial remote mine site bulk earthworks package for 200kms of rail line. The appointment included overseeing a Target Cost Estimate Contract with multiple changes in design and time deliverables. The PCG Team successfully collaborated with both Client and Civil Contractor to challenge the existing cost base, establish instructed changes to the TCE and changes in time deliverables whilst improving collaborative communications, cost benefits and resolution of all contractual claims into an agreed and delivered TCE.

Project example 21/02

Carmichael Rail Network-Rail package

PCG were appointed in May 2021 to assist CRN in the commercial management of the rail track works package for the 200kms of rail line being installed to the completed cut and fill embankment works. The appointment involved challenging the existing TCE and reviewing delivery methodology to the established Contract. Working with the Project Delivery team we were able to challenge and resolve a number of variation claims and extension of time claims.

Project Example 21/03

Bowen Rail Company-Provisioning Yard

PCG were appointed in June 2021 to assist BRC in managing the bulk earthworks package for the BRC provisioning yard. The project included a close collaborative approach with the Civil Contractor to understand issues of performance and cost management to the clients delivery strategy. PCG were able to challenge the existing delivery model and understand cost constraints into a resolved sequencing for prioritized delivery at a mutual cost beneficial outcome through resolution.

Project Example 21/04

Carmichael Rail Network-Signals Package

PCG were appointed in September 2021 to assist CRN with Contractors claims for variations and time. PCG were able to successfully mitigate both time and cost claims in a collaborative manner avoiding disputes with mutually agreed outcomes through resolution.

Project Example 21/05

Bravus-Mine Access Road

PCG were appointed in October 2021 to offer commercial support to the Project team in an EOI, ECI and Contract appointment for civil contractors to engage on the MAR road, drainage and bridge structures. Since Contractor appointments the PCG team continue to administer the Contracts with changes in designs, approvals and delivery.

Vision and team capabilities

The Vision

It all begins with an idea! To offer a Professional Consultancy Group with Associated Businesses that can resource and specialize in multi faceted services to the Construction, Civil and Mining Industries. Our Company is PCG & Associates Pty Ltd our Business is Pinnacle Consulting Group & Associates. We make a difference for your business, resolve conflict, maximize revenue, and minimize both cost and time exposure on projects.

The Team-capabilities

Our team have a wealth of expertise across many project engagements.

Mr. Stephen Naulls ACIArb, MAIQS Principal Consultant and Managing Director;

I trained as a Quantity Surveyor in the UK and worked predominantly for Main Contractors in Construction, Civil and Infrastructure. My career in the UK spanned from 1977 to 1996 having obtained qualifications with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. I was both site based, and office based and gained experience in residential, commercial, retail, power generation, and defence, rail and healthcare projects. I finished my UK career in a Managerial role as a Managing QS and Project Manager.

In 1996 I was offered a Project/Design Manager role on a co relocation new Design and Construct regional Hospital Project in Western Australia. The move to Australia became permanent in 1999 with a move into Construction Management with Australand. I was headhunted by the BGC Group (Perth) in 2000 where I joined as a Construction Manager overseeing all residential and commercial projects and finally becoming General Manager of a BGC Commercial Construction Division in 2006.

I have extensive working knowledge of both Australian and International forms of Contract at all levels of Contracts including Design and Construct, Construction Management, Head Contracts in civil. Mining and Construction. I have managed procurement, Head Contract, and specialist subcontract administration on contracts up to $800m.

Within BGC I became heavily involved in representing the Company in matters of dispute for alleged legislation breaches with Worksafe and the Builders Registration Board. I was also involved in resolution matters for Payment Disputes with Developers and clients. This further lead to briefing in- house Counsel and external legal practices on matters of representation, pleadings, and evidence along with supplying briefs for Expert Witnesses. I attended on behalf of the company ADR sessions, mediations and arbitrations and have been involved in the preparation and submission of CCA Claims in WA.

I Joined the AIQS in 2005 and followed my furthered interest in dispute resolution with Independent Expert Witness (QS and planning) reporting and court representations. In 2009 I took a break from BGC to work on an Aus-aid funded project through Reeves international for RAMSI in the Solomon’s and then onto the BER remote projects for Hanson Yunken to Aboriginal Communities in FNQ.

In 2011 I returned to BGC and relocated to Brisbane but this time in Civil and Mining as a consultant. Since then I have worked on 4 major Black Coals projects with BMA, Rio Tinto, Q Coal and Anglo American all site based as a Commercial Manager and office based on LNG and rail projects for UGL and Adani. The first project with BMA was in dispute when I joined and I have been responsible since for preparing all outstanding claims against BMA for Acceleration, Extensions of time, Prolongation, Latent Conditions and Quantum Meruit. During a period from 2011-present I have worked with the Senior Executive including the CEO on presenting discussion papers for ADR, briefs to in-house Counsel and working with a team of external Lawyers and Expert Witnesses. I have also pursued consultancy work as a Claims Consultant and Expert Witness working with two In-house Legal teams and I have personally been involved in the preparation of BCIPA claims and further submissions in adjudication.

From 2014-2015 I was retained by Counsel in three legal disputes as an Expert Witness leading to proceedings in court and oral submissions. My representations have been as an Expert QS in determining claims in dispute for quantum, reasonable costs, time claims, forensic planning, and consequences of out of sequence working and disruption.

Final Project with BGC was the MACH Energy Rail loop and TLO at Mount Pleasant in NSW. This was a design and construct Project where I managed all of the Commercial interests in the design phase Contract novated into the Construction Project.

From June 2017 I started a Consultancy business. Initially based in Sydney

This was an excellent platform for my personal growth and industry placing over a 36 month period. I specialised in advice to Client on Contracts, Procurement, Claims, Dispute Resolution, Contract Variations, EOT Claims, Delay Claims, Prolongation Claims, and Insurance Claims.

I was based in the Middle East during 2019 and worked in both Dubai and Kuwait in the oil and gas industry, I was appointed by an International London based Lawyer as an Expert in complex matters of disputed Contractual Claims to seek fair and reasonable costs and quantum into proposed package settlements.

I was a guest speaker in 2019 for the Australian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters ((AICLA) in Cambodia for Contractual Insurance Claims and have participated in many contractual forum webinars through the CIArb.

In 2020 my Company PCG & Associates Pty Ltd was launched and Pinnacle Consulting Group & Associates has become my linked Business name for all current trading activities.

Mr. Kevin Wright MAIQS ICECA, MNZIQS Reg. QS, Senior Consultant

A Versatile and accomplished global quantity surveyor and civil engineering professional with over 30 years’ experience in project commercials, contracts and cost management within diverse industries such as Oil & Gas PMO, Refineries, Pipelines, Rail, Industrial Plant and Infrastructure. Proven track record of successfully overseeing contract management processes from tender/bid evaluation through to completion. Showcases expertise in reviewing, assessing and mitigating commercial and contractual risk along with implementing policies for risk management as well as providing commercial advice to management teams on all contractual issues and conditions for projects including rail infrastructure, water tank treatment, construction of airfields, roads and bridges, electrical and buildings. Kevin possesses excellent interpersonal skills coupled with an ability to lead multifunctional teams — an example of which would be at Origin Energy where successfully managed staff comprising a lawyer, a contract engineer and two personnel from the administration department, including the senior contract administrator and a contract administrator. Demonstrates remarkable ability to resolve contractual and financial disputes along with providing suitable contractual support in tender evaluation and subcontract awards while ensuring that project personnel are well acquainted with all contractual obligations and objectives.

Core competencies include ▪ Bid Evaluation ▪ Tender Preparation ▪ Liaising with the Project Management Teams ▪ Liaison with the Contract Control Division ▪ Quantity Survey ▪ Claims Management ▪ Change Management ▪ Supplier Rationalization/Management ▪ Reporting ▪ Risk Evaluation/Management ▪ Project Forecasting ▪ Contract Negotiations ▪ Order Management ▪ Contract Interpretation ▪ Project Management ▪ Performing Quality Control Checks ▪ Construction Requirements ▪ Project Management ▪ Problem Solving ▪ Advanced Excel user and ability to leverage Word from Access.

Mr. Ian Bolton Bsc, MAIQS, MRICS, ACIArb, Senior Associate

Ian is an experienced construction professional with over 20 years in the civil engineering, construction and renewables sectors gained initially as a quantity surveyor with a major multinational contractor, and thereafter in senior quantity surveying / contract administration, claims and commercial management positions.

Work experienced in Australia and United Kingdom with contracting and consultancy organizations. Combining extensive practical experience as Contract Administrator / Commercial Manager with professional qualifications including MAIQS, MRICS and ACIArb.

With extensive practical site-based experience in a wide range of market sectors, construction types and methods, covering disciplines of contract and commercial management, contract review, drafting and vetting.

Core competencies include, Tendering and procurement, Contractual management of head-contract, subcontract, supplier and consultancy agreements, Subcontract and head contract Progress claims including claim assessment and negotiations through to final account, Valuing, managing and implementing change in accordance with project contract terms, Variation registers to risk and opportunity outcomes, Notice of delay and extension of time submissions, Interim / end of month financial reporting, cost to complete forecasting and Earned Value Management reporting, Project support – contract rights and obligations, audits, advice and controls, Experience working in QLD, NSW, SA, NT and WA, Head contract review and negotiation of terms, Bonds and securities, Claims drafting and submissions for Disruption,, Acceleration, Prolongation, Variations, Variation registers, Extensions of Time, Delays and Consequential losses.

Mr. Ryan Smit MAIQS, SACQSP, CIQS, Senior Associate

Ryan is a Professional Quantity Surveyor with experience in cost, contract, and commercial management of projects with specific expertise in quantity surveying, project controls and contract risk management in the infrastructure, engineering and mining industries for both consulting and contractor organizations in Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

Core compencies include, Balanced experience in both consulting and contractor organizations, Thorough understanding of quantity surveying, commercial risk management & project delivery, Specialist in all aspects of cost management and pre-contract & post-contract risk management, Experienced in numerous contract formats (FIDIC, NEC, CCDC), pricing models, contract types and business arrangements, Effective communicator, with proven ability to lead teams and work independently with clients, Complex challenges, decision-making and problem-solving, Proven ability to develop and implement commercial management policy, processes and training, Project-specific expertise in shaft sinking, mine development, mineral process plants, roads, bridges, railway, civil engineering, SMPP projects