Public-private partnerships (P3s)

Public-private partnerships is the preferred procurement model for constructing and operating major capital infrastructure.

Overview

P3s offer centralized oversight of commercial, legal, and financial activities throughout construction and operation periods by:

  • encouraging innovation, collaboration, and appropriate risk sharing with the private sector
  • drawing on the expertise and strengths of both the public and private sectors
  • maximizing Value for Money by considering the life cycle of the project
  • enhancing the ability to deliver projects on time and on budget

The Public-Private Partnership Framework and Guideline, updated in December 2020, increases our options as to what P3 model can be considered for capital project delivery, including variants such as design-build-finance, design-build-finance and maintain, and revenue based P3s, such as build-operate-transfer.

P3s in procurement phase

Bundle of 7 schools

  • A new bundle of 7 Alberta schools is in the Request for Proposals stage.
  • Procurement is underway and a contract with the successful proponent is anticipated to be in place in early 2025, with construction set to begin that summer.
  • The P3 bundle of 7 schools include:
    • K-8 school in Airdrie SW, Rocky View Schools
    • K-5 school in Blackfalds, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
    • K-9 school in Calgary Nolan Hill, Calgary Catholic School District
    • K-9 school in Chestermere, Calgary Catholic School District
    • K-9 school in Edmonton Edgemont, Edmonton Public Schools
    • Grade 7-12 school in Edmonton Glenridding Heights, Edmonton Public Schools
    • K-9 school (replacement of K-6 École Good Shepherd) in Okotoks, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools

 Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Ambulatory Building

  • The new Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Ambulatory Building is in the Request for Proposals stage.
  • Procurement is underway and a contract with the successful proponent is anticipated to be in place in mid-2025, with construction set to begin that summer.

P3s in operations phase

Forty-five new schools have been built since 2008 under P3 contracts. All these schools, owned and operated by various school jurisdictions across Alberta, are now in the operations phase and maintained by the P3 Contractor.