Changes in way tenders assessed prompts Friday meeting at MTCC
By Doug MacKenzie
Cape Breton Post
Sat., May 10, 2008
Sydney - Changes to a local economic
development policy prompted a Friday
meeting between the Cape Breton Partnership
and the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency.
In a February gathering at the Membertou
Trade and Convention Centre, Dan
White, economic benefits and planning coordinator
for the agency, explained the how
the big package for tenders would work,
with 85 per cent weighted toward cost
effectiveness and 15 per cent focused on
economic benefits for the community.
Also explained was the fact any bids
with a price six per cent or more above the
lowest compliant bid would be rejected
immediately.
"The major concern is this new (six per
cent upset clause) policy was put in place
without consultative and collaborative
approach with the various business stakeholders
and the community," said Keith
MacDonald, executive director of the Cape
Breton Partnership. "It was a change in an
approach which was felt to be very effective.
When we originally developed the 15
per cent economic benefits piece we
worked very closely with the project partners
so we really dialogued quite a bit about
how we can ensure that moving forward we
can strengthen our communications
between the tar ponds agency and various
partners and how we can go about when
policies are being developed, that before
they are put in place, there can be some
kind of discussion with the community on
how that will affect the area as the project
moves forward."
Alastair MacLeod, chairperson of the
community liaison committee for the Sydney
tar ponds and coke ovens cleanup, said
Friday’s meeting was necessary to address
concerns of the local business community.
"Recently the local business community
has expressed concern about the sort of
lack, or decreasing amount, of consultation
regarding the local economic benefits
package," said MacLeod, who was pleased
to be able to bring local contractors and
government together. "We had a big discussion
about what the parameters of the
problem are and certain things were agreed
at the end and the outcome of it is, there is
going to be regular consultation between
the business community and the government
partners to discuss the local economic
benefits package so that it is tailored to
our needs here in Sydney and the tar ponds
cleanup goes along well."
MacLeod doesn’t expect the six per cent
clause to cause any delays in the more than
$100 million in contracts expected to be
tendered in 2008.
"I think by increased communication,
the good will we saw (Friday) around this
table will help to solve these things. We all
care deeply about the cleanup and we’re
going to work together."
dmackenzie@cbpost.com
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