Public Services and Procurement Canada seeks input on QBSPublic Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) plans a trial use of Qualifications-Based-Selection (QBS) for procuring architectural and engineering services and has issued a Request-for-Information seeking feedback on QBS from the industry. The RAIC strongly encourages members to respond to the questionnaire by the March 13 deadline. To help us in our advocacy efforts, please share your overall comments with the RAIC. You may send them to Interim Executive Director Bruce Lorimer at blorimer@raic.org. “The RAIC and its members have long been concerned about the undue influence of fees on selection processes,” says RAIC President Michael Cox, FRAIC. “We see this RFI as an excellent initiative to explore a consultant-selection method that will respect the experience and approach that architects will bring to a project and allow them a fee base to provide their clients with a high quality of response. READ MORE
RAIC holds “positive” meeting with BGIS on procurement issuesThe RAIC and the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada (ACEC) met recently with senior management of Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions (BGIS) to discuss concerns with the firm’s procurement and contracting practices. BGIS is a real property service provider for the federal Department of Public Services and Procurement (PSPC). As the holder of the RP-1 Contracts, BGIS provides ongoing support for most federal, Crown-owned assets and leased space administered by PSPC as well as assets of other government departments. Nine members of the BGIS management team attended the February 14 meeting in Ottawa. Interim Executive Director Bruce Lorimer, FRAIC, and Don Ardiel, MRAIC, Director of Practice represented the RAIC. On behalf of ACEC, President and CEO John Gamble and volunteer Andrew Lawton were also in attendance. They discussed the following issues: • Public safety and engagement of non-professionals to do work which requires architects or engineers;
• Arduous insurance and liability clauses;
• Incomplete procurement documents which lead to coordination problems during design and construction with commensurate additional costs. “BGIS was responsive and positive,” says Mr. Lorimer. “They appreciated our input and will be looking into these items and taking appropriate actions.” The discussions are expected to continue. |
