BC Hydro’s Unit 5 and 6 project at the Mica generating station is heating up with utility’s issuance of a notice to vendors that it will soon be issuing a Request For Proposals for a 250-worker man camp at the dam.
“The Mica Construction Camp will accommodate the approximately 250-person contractor and BC Hydro workforce for the Mica Switchgear and Mica Units 5 & 6 Projects and is intended to be in operation from about April 2011 to June 2015,” the utility said in a Notice to Vendors, which you can read on the Bid BC website.
“The work covered by the RFP (the “Work”) is to generally include, without limitation, the provision of accommodations and other camp facilities (including camp kitchen, dining room, recreation centre, storage, first aid, security, laundry and services facilities) as well as the provision of food and camp management services (including catering, housekeeping, janitorial, grounds keeping, sanitation, garbage collection and disposal, facilities maintenance, security and administration) and all necessary supplies and equipment. BC Hydro’s preference is to award a single contract for all aspects of the Work to a single proponent. Accordingly, proposals are intended to be sought in respect of the entire Work package.”
The RFP is expected to be issued mid to late October 2010, not earlier than October 12.
Potential vendors interesting in submitting an RFP must be willing and able to involve First Nations in the project, the notice said. It identified those First Nations as the Ktunaxa, Shuswap and Okanagan peoples.
“Potential proponents should note that substantial, meaningful involvement of the local First Nations in the Work is very important to BC Hydro,” the notice said. “As such, proposals are intended to be sought exclusively from proponents who are joint ventures, partnerships, or equivalent, between experienced camp contractors and at least one Aboriginal Business2 from a local First Nation as a co-venturer or partner. Proposals from any other proponents, including submissions proposing local First Nations involvement simply on a subcontractor basis, will not be accepted. Proposals will, without limitation, be expected to demonstrate local First Nations involvement in governance and decision making, as well as risk and profit sharing, relevant to the Work.”
