Winnipeg’s social procurement requirements are rolling out into construction project tenders – starting with RFPs and, soon, into heavy construction tenders.
The MHCA and Winnipeg Construction Association will be holding a special session for members on the first steps, which will be in the form of questionnaires in RFPs that ask about company policies and procedures for hiring, for example.
Winnipeg’s sustainable procurement policy aims to increase employment, training and bidding opportunities for individuals and businesses within the targeted equity groups and Indigenous rights holders. The policy also seeks to see environmental requirements embedded in procurement-bid opportunities.
The session on the RFP questionnaires – what they are, how to fill them out and how they influence contract awards — is being held online, via Zoom, October 31. You can sign up here.
“We know that not a lot of our members submit RFPs, which are relevant primarily to the ICI sector of construction, but the procurement requirements that are in the questionnaires eventually will also make their way into heavy construction tenders, as well,” noted Chris Lorenc, MHCA President & CEO.
“This is a good opportunity for industry members to learn about the HR and hiring implications, for bidding on City work. There is also an environmental questionnaire, and aspects of those requirements will also be working their way into City tenders for heavy construction.”
The CoW is now developing clauses to embed “social value” requirements within heavy construction tenders. It intends to tender pilot projects before the end of the year.
The MHCA has expressed its serious concern about and objection to the haste with which this has proceeded, in absence of good industry consultation and information. An email communication was sent to the City social procurement liaison and senior City staff on October 12, asking for a meeting to discuss the matter to ensure industry concerns are heard and accommodated in the preparation of the clauses.
