Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors hires engineering consultants for the planning, design, and/or construction management of a variety of projects.
To procure these consultants, one of 3 following methodologies is used:
- Three-stage procurement process
- Open call for proposals
- Direct award
Three-stage procurement process
For the majority of consulting assignments, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors uses an industry-driven three-stage procurement process.
Stage 1. Pre-qualify
Consultants are encouraged to obtain pre-qualification status at any time. Lists of potential projects within a pre-qualification category are created and advertised several times per year.
Stage 2. Request expression of interest
Pre-qualified firms are requested to indicate their interest on projects and provide a brief rationale of their related experience. The result of this stage is a short-list of approximately 3 consultants.
Stage 3. Request for proposals
At a later date, the 3 short-listed consultants will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP). The successful respondent to the RFP will be awarded the contract for the project.
Open call for proposals
For specialized or unique projects, an open request for proposals will be advertised directly on the Alberta Purchasing Connection website.
Any interested consultant or vendor can submit a proposal on these projects without being pre-qualified.
Direct award
In emergency or special circumstances (in accordance with trade agreement requirements), assignments may be directly awarded to a consulting company or vendor.
Direct awards are not publicly advertised. A contract is created with a consultant on their ability to meet the special or emergency circumstances.
In all situations, the consultant obligations for the project will be contained in the Request for Proposal and/or in the terms of the consulting contract that will be created.
Often, details will be supplemented by processes outlined in consultant guidelines and manuals.