Questions and Answers on upcoming Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Calgary Cancer Project

The RFQ assesses the technical and financial competence of the teams and results in two proponent teams participating in the Request for Proposals.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) follows the RFQ process and is the next step in procuring a design-build team to execute the design and construction of the Calgary Cancer Centre. The RFP is issued directly to short-listed proponent teams and outlines the technical, financial and legal requirements for the project.

Throughout the RFP process, the proponent teams will develop the design, construction schedule and budget for the cancer centre in a confidential competition for the award of the project. At the end of the RFP period, the proposals are submitted and a thorough evaluation process is undertaken. This will result in the selection of a successful proponent based on their proposed design.

Q2: What are the key dates for both the RFQ and the RFP?
A2: The Design-Build RFQ was issued publicly on July 21, 2016 and closed on September 22, 2016. The evaluation of submissions was completed by late October.

The Design-Build RFP will be issued on October 24, 2016 to the two shortlisted proponent teams identified through the RFQ process. The RFP period will be open through spring 2017, with the selection of the successful proponent in June/July 2017.

Q3: What does the tender cover?
A3: The RFP covers design and construction services for the Calgary Cancer Centre.

Q4: When will the successful consortium/partnership start work….what would be their first deliverables?
A4: Once the project is awarded (June/July 2017) to the successful proponent team, they will focus on obtaining the required municipal development permit from the City of Calgary. They will also continue developing their contract documents in preparation for the required municipal building permits to begin construction.

Groundbreaking and construction is expected to start in late 2017.

Q5: Who can bid on the project?
A5: The RFQ was issued publically and was open to teams of qualified professionals internationally.

Q6: What is the RFQ/RFP process?
A6:

• The bridging consultant team works with the project management office and other required subject matter experts to complete the RFQ and RFP documents, including the Statement of Requirements (SOR) which outlines the technical requirements for the project.
• The RFQ is then issued to the public.
• Once the RFQ closes, submissions are evaluated, proponent teams are shortlisted and the RFP is issued.
• The collaborative RFP process and design competition begins with a kick-off meeting for all proponents.
• Over the course of the RFP period, a series of meetings will take place with each of the proponent teams.
• These meetings provide the opportunity to:
  • set direction and working relationships with proponents;
  • reiterate goals and objectives;
  • monitor the progress of design submissions with the opportunity to provide timely feedback; and
  • help ensure that all proponents submit high quality compliant submissions.
• The RFP period also allows the City of Calgary to review preliminary design (in full confidence) from the proponents and to provide feedback regarding compliance to municipal development permit requirements.
• At the end of the RFP period, proponent teams submit proposal packages for evaluation, including cost, schedule and building design.
• The Evaluation team undertake a full review of the submissions and scores the proposals based on the pre-determined evaluation criteria and a successful design/proponent team is chosen – in the case of the Calgary Cancer Centre the evaluation team includes representatives from Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services.
• The contract is then awarded to the preferred proponent.

Q7: During both processes what are some of the key evaluation criteria (components)?
A7: The RFQ evaluation assesses the technical and financial competence of the proposed teams.

The RFP evaluation will assess the proponent teams’ ability to meet and exceed the technical requirements outlined in the RFP documentation, project schedule, milestones, and budget parameters.

Q8: Is price the biggest factor?
A8: No, the proposals are evaluated on the technical submissions, project schedule and price. The evaluation strategy for the Calgary Cancer Centre is currently in development.

Q9: Who makes the final decision on the Calgary Cancer Centre?
A9: The successful proponent team will be chosen by a pre-determined evaluation committee that includes representatives from Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Health, and Alberta Health Services. The selection will be reviewed and approved by the project’s governing bodies.

Q10: When will the successful group be announced for the Calgary Cancer Centre?
A10: The successful proponent team and winning design will be awarded in June/early July 2017.

Q11: What are the key dates/milestones for the Calgary Cancer Centre?
A11: Request for Qualifications: July 21-September 22
Request for Proposal: October 24 – late spring 2017
Successful bid announcement: June/July 2017
Groundbreaking: Late 2017
Start of construction: Late 2017
Project construction: Late 2017-2023
Operational commissioning AHS: 2023-2024
Public opening (expected): 2024

Q12: Why does it take so long to build a large health facility like the Calgary Cancer Centre?
A12: A health facility is a very large and complex project that includes literally thousands of people who work on the project from identifying the needs required by the community, to the design to the trades people who will construct the facility.

The schedule for the Calgary Cancer Centre includes a massive building excavation, the design and development of approximately 110,000 m2 of clinical and research space, complex construction requirements for elements such as radiation vaults and state of the art research labs, large scale institutional building systems, and integrated technology systems. The project also includes the construction of a 1650 stall parking structure, roadways, pedways and complete integration within the Foothills Medical centre location on a condensed area in an urban setting.

The project schedule has been reviewed, compared to similar sized projects and has been validated by industry.

Q13: How many submissions were received during the Request For Qualifications?
A13: Four submissions were received in response to the Request for Qualifications.

Two of the submissions qualified and will participate in the Request for Proposals for the design and construction of the Calgary Cancer Centre.

The other submissions did not meet the requirements for the Request For Proposals.