(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Tender awarded

City selects firm for WMF master plan project

Dec 17, 2021 | 6:00 AM

The City of North Battleford awarded a contract at its meeting this week to select a consulting firm to develop a master plan for the city’s Waste Management Facility (WMF).

The project itself is required to look at capacity and lifespan issues related to the current Waste Management Facility. The aim of the master plan is to assist city administration to manage ongoing risks and to fulfill the new Saskatchewan Ministry Of Environment (MOE) requirements.

Council accepted administration’s recommendation and decided to award the WMF master plan project to Tetra Tech Canada Inc., including the optional airspace optimization, for a total cost of $104,933. And, for the transfer of $60,000 from the city’s SaskHospital reserve fund to the city’s operations department budget to fund the Waste Management Facility Master Plan project.

Optional airspace optimization relates in part to compacting waste into an area, which would help expand the lifespan of the landfill.

City administration stated a four-person review committee, which included three members from the operations department and one member from the finance dept., decided on individual scores for the three bids received after reviewing each of the proposals received.

Skilled Trade and Technology Week

Importance of trades and technology among young Canadians

7h ago

New cabinet

Cockrill and Harrison take on new responsibilities as Premier appoints cabinet

12h ago

Warm weather continues

Warmer-than-normal weather continues through the weekend

13h ago

Tetra Tech Canada Inc. with a bid at $94,534, received a score of 77 out of 100. Pinter and Associates Ltd., which came in with a bid of $53,305, earned a score of 74. AECOM Canada Ltd., which had a bid of $129,968, received a score of 70. (Costs in the three bids do not include taxes).

The city’s review committee found that Tetra Tech Canada Inc. presented a “cost effective and balanced approach to fulfilling the objectives of the request for proposals,” city environmental manager Jeff Blanchard said in his report. “Tetra Tech Canada Inc.’s project team was the most robust and included minimal subcontractor reliance, which reduced the overall risk to the project.”

For budget matters, administration said costs for the project could be extended through 2023, considering in particular decommissioning and the closure plan has an MOE deadline of Sept. 2023. However, if the city delayed the project schedule, this may impact operational and financial efficiencies.

Coun. Bill Ironstand questioned why Tetra Tech Canada Inc. was recommended over Pinter and Associates Ltd. when Tetra Tech’s bid came in higher, although Tetra Tech’s score was a few points greater than the other firm’s.

Blanchard said there were various factors, including methodology proposed, project expertise and level of service, that were looked at, in addition to cost, in recommending Tetra Tech Canada Inc. for the project.

“When we consider that this Waste Management Master Plan is checking regulatory boxes and is establishing a foundation to improve the financial responsibility, liability and operational efficiency of a facility that is projected to go until nearly 2070, we really want to put a strong foot forward and get a product that we’re very confident in,” Blanchard said.

In its vote, the majority of council was in favour of the recommendation to select Tetra Tech Canada Inc., with only Ironstand opposed.

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow