march 2009 issue
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Trade Agreement Spurs Creation Of Selection Process
A new trade system between Alberta and B.C. means engineering and architectural consulting firms would be well advised to sign up with a new registry if they want Alberta Infrastructure work. The department’s registry became available March 2, the province
has announced.
In consultation with represen-tatives of the Consulting Engineers of Alberta and the Alberta Association of Architects, Alberta Infrastructure has developed a selection process for consulting on building projects it owns. The process complies with the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement, known as TILMA, and “demonstrates a fair, open and transparent treatment of consultants,” says a government news release.
A vendor registry supports the selection process. Called VRAES, the registry is an electronic inventory of self-registered consulting firms. Alberta Infrastructure will use the registration information provided by firms to short-list those interested in specific project opportunities.
Firms must be registered if they want to be considered for prime consulting services for Alberta Infrastructure-owned infrastructure building projects with an estimated consultant fee from $75,000 to $1 million. Project opportunity notices will be posted in VRAES and the Alberta Purchasing Connection. Firms registered in VRAES will also be considered for opportunities under $75,000.
Firms could start registering in VRAES on March 2. The registry and more information can be found on the Alberta Infrastructure website, www.infrastructure.alberta.ca.
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