On Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be posting a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on BC Bid inviting proponents to pre-qualify on the first three highway maintenance service-area contracts coming up for renewal.

The purpose of the RFQ is to develop a list of qualified suppliers that will be used for future Requests for Proposal (RFPs).  

The Province, B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association (BCRB) and the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) recently reached an agreement on labour succession in future highway-maintenance contracts, with the first eight labour agreements now ratified by union members. These agreements will mean labour stability and a continued high level of highway maintenance on B.C.’s provincial highways well into the future. 

In total, 27 service-area RFPs will be posted and awarded before the existing maintenance contracts expire through 2018 and 2019. Once awarded, the successful contractor must honour the terms of the ratified collective agreements. All bidders will be using the same labour terms to reduce the uncertainty of labour costs, which will result in the best price for British Columbians.

The new maintenance contracts will include increased standards, resulting in enhanced winter maintenance, increased sweeping along cycling routes, and increased communication with the public to rapidly changing road conditions during severe weather events and other incidents affecting travel on B.C. roads.

The Province will award contracts with a 10-year term, and an optional a five-year extension, which will provide continuity of services and extended labour peace. Travellers can rely on improved maintenance service levels that meet or exceed best practices throughout North America.