The government of British Columbia has created a shortlist of proponents to enter the next stage of evaluation for the proposed privatization of the Liquor Distribution Branch's warehousing and distribution services.

Government has undertaken a transparent process based on standard government procurement practices to consider six proposals in response to the Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP) to contract for the LDB's warehousing and distribution services.

Based on the six submissions received, the NRFP evaluation committee shortlisted four of the most qualified proponents. They are (in alphabetical order):

• ContainerWorld Forwarding Services Inc.

• Exel Canada Ltd.

• Kuehne + Nagel Ltd.

• Metro Supply Chain Group Inc.

The NRFP contained a provision for up to the three top-ranked proposals. There was a tie for the third spot, so four proponents will now continue through the process. The shortlisted proponents will now have an opportunity to refine their proposals based on discussions with the NRFP evaluation committee.

The NRFP evaluation committee will determine which of these refined proposals best meets government's objectives, and in the event it is established a better service delivery model can be achieved, will announce the successful company in October 2012. A services agreement would then be negotiated with the successful company by March 2013.

To ensure a fair and transparent process, a fairness monitor is overseeing and working with the NRFP evaluation committee to ensure the process is conducted in a manner that is fair to all parties. At the end of the process, the fairness monitor will prepare a summary report, which will be made publicly available.

On July 18, 2012, the fairness monitor sent a letter to government indicating he is "of the view that the NRFP procurement to this date has been conducted fairly and in a manner that has adhered to the terms of the NRFP." The whole letter can be read at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/reports_publications.html

The B.C. government is currently exploring what might be possible and will only move forward if a better service delivery model can be provided by the private sector. Any new system would have to demonstrate itself to be more effective and efficient, and provide lower overall costs to government. Liquor pricing is not a part of the NRFP. Pricing and collection of revenue for liquor in B.C. remains in the hands of government - not the distributor.

Read the NRFP at http://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/open.dll/submitLogin?disID=22322759

Contact:

David Haslam
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-3134