July 02, 2009

New schools project draws strong interest from industry

Bundle of 10 P3 schools moves closer to construction

Edmonton... The Alberta government has asked three groups to submit proposals to deliver 10 new elementary-junior and middle schools for the Edmonton Capital and Calgary regions through a public-private partnership (P3). The 10 schools represent one of two school bundles under the Alberta Schools Alternative Procurement phase two (ASAP II) project.

“Although we are in difficult economic times, government is leveraging the strengths of our local industry to invest in our economy, meet the needs of our citizens, and foster job creation while building the schools we need to support growth and renewal,” said Dave Hancock, Minister of Education. “This Request for Proposals assists us in delivering almost 8,000 new student-spaces to growing communities in need of supportive and nurturing learning environments.”

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the ASAP II P3 schools bundle, issued in May, resulted in four submissions from interested groups. The submissions underwent a rigorous evaluation process. Three consortia, composed of design, construction, financing and maintenance companies, will participate in the next stage of the process, the Request for Proposals (RFP).

The three groups are:

Alberta Public Private Learning Excellence (APPLE) Group
Build II Learn
Plenary Lend Lease (PLL) Education Alberta.

“We are on track to deliver 10 new, energy and environmentally efficient schools that will benefit Alberta’s students and communities,” said Jack Hayden, Minister of Infrastructure. “As we work through the selection process, our focus will remain on ensuring these new schools are delivered and maintained in a manner that provides the best value for Alberta taxpayers.”

The RFP stage closes March 2010, at which time the successful proponent is expected to be selected. School construction is scheduled for completion by September 2012.

ASAP II also includes the design-build bundle of four high schools, to be completed by January 2013, in Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Edmonton and Calgary. From the design-build RFQ, which closes July 2, the top qualified respondents will be identified and invited to bid on the project. The most competitive bidder will be awarded the project, which will create 4,750 new student spaces.

Central to Budget 2009 is Alberta’s Capital Plan, which supports $7.2 billion in 2009-10 and a record $23.2 billion over three years to build roads, health care facilities, schools and other public infrastructure. This year’s investment alone will support more than 80,000 jobs across the province directly benefiting Albertans and Alberta communities.

This capital investment complements the government’s four-point plan for economic recovery, which calls for keeping an eye on spending, using savings to protect programs and services for Albertans while keeping taxes low, continuing to invest in infrastructure, and promoting the province on the world stage.

For more information about ASAP II, visit education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/p3project.aspx

Backgrounder

P3 new schools project groups

Alberta Public Private Learning Excellence (APPLE) Group

Project Lead: Bilfinger Berger Project Investments
Design Build: Stuart Olson Constructors Inc., Read Jones Christofferson Ltd., Dominion Construction Company Inc., IBI Group Architects Engineers, IBI Group Architects Engineers (Civil), MechWave Engineering, Stebnicki + Partners
Maintenance and Renewal: Ainsworth Inc.
Financing: Bilfinger Berger Project Investments, CIT Group Securities (Canada) Inc.

Build II Learn

Project Lead: Gracorp Capital Advisors Ltd., Hochteif PPP Solutions North America Inc.
Design Build: Graham Design Build Services, Bird Construction Company
Maintenance and Renewal: Honeywell Ltd.
Financing: Hochteif PPP Solutions North America Inc., Gracorp Capital Advisors Ltd., Investec North America Limited

Plenary Lend Lease (PLL) Education Alberta

Project Lead: Plenary Group, Lend Lease
Design Build: Plenary Lend Lease (PLL), Group 2 Architecture Engineering Ltd., ACI Architecture Inc./Zeidler Partnership Architects, BPTEC-DNW Engineering Ltd., Kellam Berg Engineering and Surveys Ltd., Al-Terra Engineering Ltd., Hidi Rae Consulting Engineers Inc., Hukalo Oberg Engineering Ltd., KSJ Engineering Ltd., Thurber Engineering Ltd., Lear Construction Management Ltd., Krawford Construction Inc., Jen-Col Construction Ltd.
Maintenance and Renewal: Johnson Controls
Financing: Plenary Group, Lend Lease