Highway Construction Tendering Goes On-line

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Highway Construction Tendering Goes On-line

Bidding for highways projects has gone high-tech.

A recent tender call for pavement upgrading on Trans-Canada Highway 104 east of Oxford marks the first time Nova Scotia has sought electronic bids for a highway project.

Contractors were asked to file their e-bids on the Department of Transportation and Public Works Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/finance/tour. The tender closed on July 25.

"This is another example of our government keeping pace with technological developments in the 21st century," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "As a province, we are taking advantage of opportunities presented by the new economy to place ourselves as leaders in e-commerce."

This electronic bid system, used already for product purchases, provides immediate savings to taxpayers and businesses with reduced mailing and distribution costs and lower turn-around time between the original requests for tenders and the final contract awards.

Electronic bidding is not new to the government of Nova Scotia. The concept was introduced when procurement branch, now part of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, developed an electronic bulletin board for tender listings and award information several years ago. Since then, it has expanded to include an interactive system of Internet tender notices and awards.

E-bids have been used mainly to buy various goods, but are now moving into tenders for services and construction. Providing this process on the Internet allows the procurement branch to reinforce its policy of broad public access to a fair and open tender.

The government's e-bid system was designed, developed and implemented by two department employees, Jim Donohue and Tim Bateman. Both have been recognized for innovation in e-commerce for government procurement. Their expertise has also been used in a Canadian International Development Agency overseas advisory project to assist the Lithuanian government. The e-bid system is now also used by universities and municipalities, among others.

The provincial government's procurement policy ensures that the purchase of goods, services, construction and facilities is conducted fairly and openly. The procurement branch also provides assistance to other public organizations, such as school boards and hospitals, which also follow the policy.