The Early Contractor Involvement Head Contract – Two Contractor Planning Phase Approach (ECI-HC) templates are used for the engagement of a Design Services Consultant and 2 Head Contractors in the planning phase of a project.
The ECI-HC approach includes the following core elements:
- Early involvement of 2 Head Contractors in the planning phase during which the Head Contractors will separately provide their comments on the design documents prepared by Defence’s Design Consultant.
- The development of high quality design solutions, which are fully consulted, coordinated, properly documented and progressively reviewed at each milestone.
- A targeted focus on securing improved outcomes for the works.
- Flexibility to accommodate digital engineering solutions where appropriate.
- A prioritised commitment to a culture of integrated and interpersonal collaboration, communication and coordination.
Under this delivery model, Defence enters into separate contractual arrangements during the planning phase with two Head Contractors.
The planning phase ECI-HC is the first of a possible 2 phase contract engagement on the project with the 2 Head Contractors. At the end of the planning phase, Defence will make a value for money assessment of certain information submitted by one or both of the Head Contractors and, following that assessment, will negotiate with the preferred Head Contractor to seek to agree all outstanding details required for the delivery phase ECI-HC including the delivery phase price and the date(s) for completion of the works (assuming that Defence, in its discretion, wishes to move to the delivery phase).
The successful Head Contractor (if any) will be engaged for the delivery phase under a delivery phase lump sum ECI-HC. This is subject to the terms of the planning phase ECI-HC.
Contract and tender documents
Invitation to register interest (DOCX, 134.96 KB)
Tender documents (DOCX, 271.17 KB)
Conditions of contract (DOCX, 528.26 KB)
Disclaimer and confidentiality agreement (DOCX, 86.21 KB)
Outline brief (DOCX, 68.78 KB)
Training
Changes
The update summary provides an overview of the changes between the current published versions of the Contract and Tender documents and their previous versions. This resource assists those who have already begun drafting Contract and Tender documents by identifying the changes, reducing the need to restart the drafting process.
Update Summary – October 2025 (PDF, 190.13 KB)
Update Summary – December 2025 (PDF, 171.23 KB)
Schedule of collateral documents
The Schedule of Collateral Documents consists of supplementary templates that are referenced within, and are required to be used under and in accordance with, the template Conditions of Contract. The collateral documents support effective contract administration, consistency across projects and reflect the Commonwealth's requirements in respect of the matters to which each template relates. They have been drafted to align with the template Conditions of Contract and are intended to be finalised on a project specific basis as indicated within each template.
Approved security unconditional undertaking (DOCX, 28.88 KB)
Collateral warranty (DOCX, 27.47 KB)
Deed of covenant - Consultant (DOCX, 47.33 KB)
Deed of covenant - Subcontractor (DOCX, 52.61 KB)
Deed of guarantee and undertaking (DOCX, 40.32 KB)
Deed of novation - Consultant (DOCX, 35.3 KB)
Design certificate - Consultant (DOCX, 27.02 KB)
Design certificate - Contractor (DOCX, 27.97 KB)
Design certificate - Subcontractor (DOCX, 28.11 KB)
Expert determination agreement (DOCX, 38.47 KB)
Moral rights consent single author (DOCX, 40.3 KB)
Moral rights consent multiple authors (DOCX, 40.59 KB)
Payment statement (DOCX, 50.73 KB)
Delivery phase terms (DOCX, 35.29 KB)
Proforma notices
The Proforma notices are designed to support effective contract administration and communication. The notices align with the template Conditions of Contract and are intended as a starting point to be developed and completed by the person issuing the notice having regard to the specific Contract and circumstances of the matter to which the notice relates.