John Panikulam

From 15 January 2024 to 31 December 2025, with Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company (Bechtel Corporation), Tabuk, Saudi Arabia for following rolls (Employed with EPM):

15 January 2024 to 16 November 2024, as a Senior Contracts Manager (Claims) for NEOM Spine Infrastructure Project, reporting to the Claims Director. \[Bechtel has the Executive Program Manager (EPM) Role\].

The project Spine is the infrastructure corridor running parallel to The Line that includes the high-speed rail, while the Connector South links Oxagon to The Line and the length of the project is 170 KM. Also includes Mass Excavation, Mountain Running Tunnels, Concrete works, Pipeline, access road, Highways diversion, flyover bridges and etc.
o Analyzing the merit of claims for Variations and Extension of Time.
o Closeout for the Projects concluding Variations, Reconciliation of final BOQs, and claims for EOT.
o Preparation of Determination recommendations for claims.
o Preparation of recommendation reports for disputes.
o Preparation and maintenance of Claims and Disputes folders and trackers for the higher management’s monitoring and control.

17 November 2024 to 31 December 2025, as a Senior Contracts Manager for NEOM Regional Infrastructure Project, Highways/Roads division, reporting to the Lead Senior Contracts Manager. \[Bechtel has the Executive Program Manager (EPM) Role\].

The Regional Infrastructure Program includes construction of highways, roads, water projects, camps and special projects, which will be the backbone for the whole development activities during construction and operations, NEOM-wide; however, my role is limited in the highways and roads projects.
o Administration and management of the contracts of the assigned projects.
o Regular monitoring of the correspondence from the contractors and consultants, identify the potential risks, initiate mitigation measures and prepare appropriate responses.
o Overall management of the commercial issues including review of the Payment Applications, Progress Statements with support from Project Controls and prepare the Recommendation for Payment and processing the payment in Unifier/SAP system.
o Analysing the merit of claims for Variations and Extension of Time, and prepare appropriate Letter of Recommendations (LOR), Variation Order Approval Form (VOAF), and conclude the Variation Orders if applicable.
o Closeout for the Projects concluding Variations, Reconciliation of final BOQs, and claims for EOT.
o Preparation of Determination recommendations for claims.
o Preparation of recommendation reports for disputes.
o Preparation for the Taking Over Certificate (TOC) and Services Completion Certificate (SCC), after liaison with the appropriate project team members.
o Preparation and maintenance of various trackers and folders on SharePoint and updating them regularly to monitor and control the projects commercial and contractual issues.

From July 2021 till date with Hill International, P.O. Box 21835, Doha, Qatar as Contracts Manager for Hamad International Airport Expansion Project overseeing,
o Ensuring that the requirements of the contract documents are implemented and maintained throughout the Contract period;
o Assist in the review of contractual notices of claims and providing contractual advice to the Engineering in their administration of the Construction Contract;
o Interaction with the Client representatives, the Project Management Consultant, and relevant Contractors in respect of all contractual matters;
o Assists in the drafting of commercial terms for design, engineering and/or construction services for approval by the Contracts Director;
o Reviews all contract documents to ensure congruity and to minimize patent and latent ambiguities
o Assists with administration of on-going Contracts, including monitoring Contractor and commission compliance with the Contract documents;
o Investigates problems and recommends corrective action;
o Prepares correspondence and maintains records necessary to ensure the effective administration of all Contractual matters;
o Facilitates the preparation of Contract change and prepares the relevant variation orders;
o Facilitates the contract close-out procedures to ensure that all terms and conditions of contracts have been complied with prior to final payment to contractor;
o Ensures that all contractual procedures are implemented and maintained;
o Assists on all contractual matters;
o Assists in the review of Contractor’s claims in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions of Contract and ensures the Client’s interests are protected;
o Ensures all warranties, bonds, insurances, guarantees, etc. are in place and maintained and updated in accordance with the Contract and are in compliance with the Clients requirements;
o Assists the Estimation and Project Control teams in respect of contractual implications of change orders;
o Prepare for review Recommendations for Release of Retention and Bonds;
o Prepare monthly Reports for review;
o Assist in the preparation of Monthly Progress Reports; and
o Responsible for the preparation and maintenance of Engineer’s Instructions, Variation Orders and Claim Log.

o Procurement for Construction, Consultancy and Equipment packages, Tendering Management.
o Creation of Contract Documents using Tender Documents, Notice to Tenderers and Post Tender Correspondence.
o Contract Administration, Payments, Change Control Process.
o Contractual Correspondence.
o Defending Claims for Variations, Extension of Time, Prolongation costs, acceleration, disruption etc.
o Review and finalise variation claims (Merit and Quantum).
o Diversified works packages ranging from Channel Deepening, Reclamation, Dredging, Marine Construction, Quay Walls, Terminal Construction, Port Buildings, Security Systems, Master System Integration, Port Equipment etc.
o Supporting legal team for litigation issues.
o Evaluation of Tenders and Request for Proposals. (Technical & Commercial)
o Pre-qualification of bidders.

o Preparation of Tender Documents for Construction Works and Consultancy Services.
o Management of Tendering Process.
o Studies and understands the technical requirements of the end users and coordinates preparation of scope of work
o Provides guidance to the end users in preparation of scope of work, bid evaluation criteria, cost estimate and price structure
o Determines pre-qualification criteria & tenders if required.
o Prepares best suited tendering strategy based on the time schedule, scope and price.
o Arranges site visits, pre-tender meetings and provides clarifications.
o Assists and coordinates technical evaluation.
o Prepares commercial evaluation based on sensitivity analysis, life cycle costing etc. and propose best available option.
o Studies various options and prepares a negotiation strategy. Participates in negotiations.
o Obtains commercial clarification from bidders where required and performs commercial evaluation.
o Issues Letter of Award.
o Obtains and administers tender bonds, performance bonds, warranties etc. form the contractor.
o Prepares and issues the contract.
o Studies and proposes price variations, extensions and amendments based on merit of the case and in the best interest of QF.
o Monitors contract execution in close coordination with the end users and recommend stage payments.

1. Establish and maintain policies and procedures for Procurement Process. Plan, Conduct, Administer and Close Procurement process.
2. Supervise/preparation Tender Documents. Prepare tender document for consultancy services tenders.
3. Manage Tendering Process, Selection of tenderers (Designers, Consultants and Contractors), Tender Clarifications, conduct technical and commercial evaluation, negotiation and award.
4. Administer pre-qualification process and short list bidders.
5. Preparation of Contract Agreements and Contract Documents.
6. Initiation of Contract Correspondence mitigating risks to the Employer.
7. Review of Designs prepared by the Design Consultants to verify the completeness and clarity of scope.
8. Estimation of Costs, Budget Preparation and Cost Control.
9. Support the Perform Integrated Change Control process by; reviewing all change requests, approving changes, managing changes to the deliverables, organizational process assets and project documents.
10. Management of variations, settlements of cost and time impacts and claims.
11. Support the Project Risk management; Plan Risk management, Identify Risks, Perform quantitative and qualitative risk analysis, risk responses and monitor and control risks.
12. Drafting agreements for contracts with Consultants, Contractors, suppliers, institutional tenants and other related parties.
13. Conduct studies for rent finalization considering the investments and rate of return.
14. Review, Comment/recommend contractor/consultant valuations.
15. Project management and Client Representation for small projects.
16. Develops work breakdown structure, detailed project plans and schedules and accountable for monitoring and reporting on project metrics, issues, risks and overall progress.
17. Develops detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports.

Contracts Manager, Alaqaria
• Management of Contract Department leading 5 Nos. Senior Quantity Surveyors and Secretary. Mange all pre-contract and post contract quantity survey.
• Reviews requests from end users, develop tendering strategy.
• Administers pre-qualification process and short-lists bidders.
• Supervises preparation of tender document.
• Participates in tender opening process, monitors bid evaluation and selection process.
• Submits proposals to Tender Committee based on Technical and Commercial Evaluations.
• Evaluates revision requests and revise contracts if found appropriate.
• Submits proposals to Tender Committee based on Technical and Commercial Evaluations.
• Provides liaison between end user, tender committee and the bidders.
• Mediates between the end user and contractor in case of any dispute.
• Supervises contract execution and monitors progress ensuring that the provisions of the contract are complied with.
• Drafting Agreements (MOU and MOA) with end users including Qatar Petroleum/Ministry of Interior/Mowasalat/Ministry of Health etc.
• Managing Variations and settlement of cost and time impacts and claims.
• Provides on-job training to new employees in the contracts section.
• Sets annual goals and objectives for the section and establishes KPIs to measure progress.
• Evaluates performance of employees within the section and recommends rewards.
Achievements:
• Founded the Contracts Department. Established standards, personally recruited the staff handpicking 5 nos. Senior Quantity Surveyors and one Secretary and nurtured them to obtain best results meeting organization requirements.
• Completed all the projects of Qatar Real Estate Investments Company during my tenure within the original budget.
• The above was achieved without compromising the standards/quality/ client satisfaction, while maintaining best relations with all stakeholders including clients/consultants/contractors.

Responsible for quantity take offs, monthly invoicing for project, initiation of variations and claims, preparation and updating of construction program, preparation of various spreadsheets to track the progress of projects, control of documentation and ensuring the traceability of materials, attending meetings with clients and consultants, supporting tender department in quantification and pricing of major tenders.

Projecting store requirements, Preparation and updating of construction program review progress at regular intervals and report to higher management, sourcing materials and negotiation with supplier, Review drawings and specifications to raise technical queries and solve the same in liaison with consultant and client department, Preparing method statements, taking material approvals from the consultant and client, preparation of shop drawings in liaison with drawing department, Liaison with clients and consultants, Organizing and attending various progress meetings with clients and consultants.

 Preparation of computerized Master construction Program for the complete project using Primavera SureTrack project management software, Monitoring the above MCP on regular intervals and reporting the schedule impacts to Planning Manager / Project Manager. Analyze and review as required works contractors programs based upon Master Construction Program and contract documents. Review contractor’s claims for extension of time, Preparation of short term programs regularly for different packages. Analyzing works contractors progress, onsite and offsite with Excel Spreadsheets. To analyze the scope of work and advice the procurement team regarding the works contractors contract periods and milestone dates. To prepare various spreadsheets to monitor the progress of procurement. Preparing Resource histograms for the works contracts whenever required. Preparation of cost curves whenever required.

Preparation of construction program, Projecting store requirements, Preparation of interim bills, Checking and forwarding recommendations on subcontractors bills, Preparing method statements, taking material approvals from the consultant and client, Setting out for the structure as well as finishes, Preparing bar bending schedules, Preparation of shop drawings, Conducting weekly safety classes for the workers, Preparation of weekly progress analysis with the help of bar charts and S-Curve, Overall supervision of construction site giving leadership and motivation to supervisors and foremen, Coordination with client and consultant.

Projecting store requirements, Preparation and settling of subcontractors bills, Preparation of construction program, Liaison with Consultants and Clients (Apartment owners), Preparing Bar bending schedules, Preparation of shop drawings, Monitoring the project progress by CPM network scheduling technique, Setting out for the structure and finishes, Supervision of work at site, Leading and motivating supervisors, foremen and workers to extract top quality work with minimum cost to the company.
Preparation of monthly interim bills for the company, Preparation of sub-contractors bills, Projecting store requirements, Setting out for the structure and finishes, Preparation of construction program, reparation of Bar-bending schedules, Liaison with client and consultants.