Winnipeg’s Public Works department is using a qualification-based selection (QBS) process for consulting engineering firms, which will result in faster tendering of construction projects, particularly in 2026.
At a March 3 meeting with MHCA, ACEC-MB and Councillor Janice Lukes, Chair of Council’s Public Works Committee, senior department officials reviewed the 2024 construction season, and updated improvements to date this year.
Tendering in 2025 is ahead of that in 2024, which improved from 2023, it was noted.
The use of QBS saw the consulting contracts issued earlier, by approximately one month, compared to 2024, the meeting heard. While tenders in 2024 we “late out of the gate” due to delayed engineering assignments, the flow of tenders and awards eventually smoothed out.
Last year, the administration saw its authority to approve higher-cost projects rise from $5 million to $10 million, which made a difference for approval of 7 construction projects.
March and April now see a high number of tender close dates, reflecting the City’s work to accelerate the contracts. It was recognized the compressed time span is a challenge for industry, and the City may need to adjust construction start dates to accommodate.
The meeting also discussed
- Specification changes (Superpave and Marshall mix designs; concrete), as well as the opportunity for harmonization with provincial specs
- The piloting in 2024 of social procurement requirements; Public Works is in discussion with Procurement regarding inclusion of requirements in construction tenders in 2025
- The progress toward implementing a funding strategy working group to review the forecasting and needs of the local and regional street renewal program
- Prompt payment by the City
The City re-committed to meeting the objective of tendering 80% of the annual program by the end of each February.
