Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle Border Crossing Modernization: Architectural and Engineering Services
Fairness monitor final report: June 22, 2023
Addendum to final report: January 23, 2024
Submitted to: Director, Fairness Monitoring Program
Submitted by: Samson
On this page
Attestation of assurance
The fairness monitor (FM) hereby issues the unqualified statement of assurance below with respect to the competitive selection process concerning architectural and engineering (AE) services for the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border (StBB) crossing modernization project, from the publication of the request for proposals (RFP) to the evaluation stage of the RFP.
In our professional opinion, the competitive selection process we observed was conducted in accordance with the criteria of fairness, openness and transparency.
Original signed by:
Mathieu Farley
Chartered Professional Accountant Auditor
Certified Internal Auditor
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Certified Fraud Examiner
Fairness Monitors Team Leader
Fairness Monitor
Fairness Monitoring Contractor Representative
Samson
Jocelyne Lafrenière
Chartered Professional Accountant
Fairness Monitor
Project requirement
Samson was engaged as a FM on December 15, 2022, to observe the competitive procurement process for the AE services for the StBB crossing modernization project, undertaken by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) on behalf of Canada Border Services Agency, in the context of tender WS3899062963. Samson is an independent third party with respect to this activity.
This report covers the activities of the FM beginning with the RFP phase on March 8, 2023, until the bid evaluation process closes on May 17, 2023.
The AE StBB aims for a complete reorganization of the Canada Border Services Agency’s site and infrastructure to meet current and anticipated operational constraints. The project involves the demolition or modification of a portion of existing infrastructure and the construction of new infrastructure.
We reviewed all the information provided and observed all relevant activities.
This report included:
- our attestation of assurance
- a summary of the scope and objectives of our mandate
- details of the methodologies applied
- relevant findings from the activities undertaken
Fairness monitoring engagement and observations
In accordance with the terms of our mandate, we:
- reviewed relevant documents and observed activities related to this procurement, that is
- RFP and amendments
- related questions-and-answers process
- bid evaluation
- brought the fairness issues to the attention of the contracting authority (CA) and technical authority
- examined whether the responses and actions taken were reasonable and appropriate
Request for proposals
The RFP (WS3899062963) was published on CanadaBuys on March 8, 2023, and closed on April 28, 2023.
Eight changes were published on CanadaBuys, the last of which was on April 25, 2023. Questions from potential bidders were accepted and responses were provided and distributed on CanadaBuys.
The FM reviewed RFP documents, and all questions and answers provided during the RFP posting period, to ensure that fairness considerations were satisfactorily taken into account.
Three bids were submitted by interested bidders.
No fairness issues were identified.
Request for proposals assessment
The FM reviewed the guide for the evaluation committee and scoring file. The evaluation team consisted of 3 evaluators. An information session for the technical assessment team was held on May 1, 2023, and attended by CA and FM.
The evaluation of bids consisted of an examination of the documentation submitted by the bidders as indicated in the RFP. Evaluation of bids began on May 1, 2023. Consensus meetings were held on May 11, 12 and 15, 2023 to evaluate the technical requirements.
The FM attended consensus meetings with the evaluation team. The FM reviewed the results of the financial assessment as well as the summary report on the overall technical assessment and financial produced by PWGSC on May 17, 2023, to confirm the winning bidder.
No fairness issues were identified.
Reference documents
Documents related to the invitation WS3899062963 are available on CanadaBuys or through the project office.
Addendum to the final report
January 23, 2024
Addendum to the final report, dated May 30, 2023, for the procurement process for AE services for the StBB crossing modernization project.
This addendum covers the period following the conclusion of the evaluation phase, including contract award and debriefing activities.
Fairness monitoring activities related to contract award and debriefings
Three bids were received in response to the RFP.
The contract award was communicated to the winning bidder on December 11, 2023. The regret letters were also sent to the other bidders on December 11, 2023. Two bidders requested debriefing sessions. The FM reviewed correspondence with bidders and observed debriefing sessions with bidders who requested it.
Attestation of assurance
The FM hereby provides the following unqualified statement below concerning the AE services for the StBB crossing modernization project procurement process, up to and including the award of the contract and debriefing activities.
In our professional opinion, the process we observed or monitored was conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner.
Original signed by:
Mathieu Farley
Chartered Professional Accountant Auditor
Certified Internal Auditor
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Certified Fraud Examiner
Fairness Monitors Team Leader
Fairness Monitor
Fairness Monitoring Contractor Representative
Samson
Jocelyne Lafrenière
Chartered Professional Accountant
Fairness Monitor
Page details
- Date modified: