Plan to build 14 new schools moves to next stage
Approach will combine P3 and design-build
Edmonton... The Alberta government is seeking qualified firms to move ahead with building 14 new schools in the Edmonton and Calgary regions. Ten K-4 and K-9 elementary and middle schools will be built through a public-private partnership (P3) and four high schools will be delivered through a design-build approach.
"We have refined our model for the delivery of 14 new schools to ensure the project provides value to government and taxpayers," said Minister of Education Dave Hancock. "In response to the economic climate, government has done its due diligence and created a procurement approach that we feel will be inviting to industry as we move forward with the next stage. We will continue to look for the best ways to get value for money and deliver schools on a timely basis."
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued to industry for the P3 schools bundle. The RFQs will be evaluated by a government committee, which will score the submissions and select qualified proponents to be invited to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. Following a review of the RFP submissions, the lowest bid will be awarded the contract for the P3 schools bundle. Demonstrating value of the project to taxpayers is critical to the process. Following a similar process, an RFQ will be issued shortly for the four design-build high schools bundle.
The Alberta Schools Alternative Procurement II (ASAP II) project includes K-4, K-9, middle and high schools in the communities of Edmonton, Calgary, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Okotoks and Langdon. The P3 schools are scheduled to open in September of 2012 and the design-build high schools will be completed by January of 2013. All schools will meet high-quality provincial standards and will be built to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification, an independent rating system used to measure environmental efficiency. LEED-based construction will result in greater energy efficiency and provide a healthier environment through improved air quality and the use of natural light.
"ASAP II will result in 14 high quality, energy efficient schools that will provide state-of-the-art learning environments for students and staff for generations to come," said Jack Hayden, Minister of Infrastructure. "This project’s combined procurement approach is an excellent example of the many tools government can use for delivering timely, efficient and cost-effective public infrastructure in Alberta."
Last September, the government signed a P3 contract for the delivery of 18 new schools in Edmonton and Calgary. The financial close of the project resulted in a savings of $118 million (Net Present Value) for Alberta taxpayers. The 18 new schools are scheduled for completion in June of 2010.
More information on the ASAP II project, including school site locations, is available at: www.education.alberta.ca/asapii
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 over 80,000 jobs across the economy directly benefitting 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.
New schools for Edmonton Capital and Calgary regions
Calgary Board of Education
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Coventry Hills Middle School (5-9) |
900 |
|
Northwest Senior High School (10-12) |
1500 |
|
Taradale Middle School (5-9) |
900 |
|
Panorama Middle School (5-9) |
900 |
|
Tuscany Middle School (5-9) |
900 |
Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Copperfield Elementary School (K-9) |
900 |
Edmonton Catholic Separate School District
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Terwillegar High School (10-12) |
750 |
Edmonton School District
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Griesbach School (K-9) |
600 |
|
Ellerslie Elementary School (K-9) |
850 |
|
The Grange School (K-9) |
850 |
Elk Island Catholic Separate School Region
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
High School (9-12) (Sherwood Park) |
1400 |
Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Spruce Grove Regional H.S. (9-12) |
1100 |
Foothills School Division
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Okotoks School (K-9) |
700 |
Rocky View School Division
|
Community/School (Grade Structure) |
Student Capacity |
|
Langdon School (K-4) |
450 |
Design-build in the ASAP II project
Through a design-build, a single contractor will oversee the design work from partial designs already developed in consultation with school boards and municipalities, and construct the high schools.
Cost savings achieved through a design-build
Similar to a P3 Design, Build, Finance and Maintain approach, savings can be achieved through economies of scale, such as one contractor responsible for building all four schools, a guaranteed fixed price, and, after tender, protection from inflation in construction cost and weather-related delays, which are the responsibility of the contractor.
Major differences between a P3 and a design-build
Through a P3 approach, the contractor arranges a portion of the project financing and provides a 30-year maintenance warranty on the schools. Through a design-build, government finances the design and construction and makes progress payments until the completion of the project. School boards, through government funding, are responsible for the long-term maintenance of the schools.
