For immediate releaseAGASSIZ, B.C., April 16, 2004 - Competitive contracts and standing offers worth a combined total of $1,271,355 have been awarded to five British Columbia companies to undertake various construction, renovation and carpentry projects in that province. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Public Works and Government Services."Congratulations to the winners of these contracts for taking full advantage of the many competitive opportunities local companies have to do business with the Government of Canada," said Minister Owen. "These contracts cover a wide range of work, from new constructions to renovations and demolitions, and they will create and maintain several jobs in the various communities across the province. Together, they underscore the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring the adequate development and maintenance of public infrastructure across the country."Grand Construction Ltd., of Agassiz, has been awarded a $478,611 contract to install a new drainage system, sprinkler heads to the fire protection system as well as a new floor in the kitchen and dining unit at the Kent Institution, in Agassiz. Under the terms of the $136,532 contract awarded to Seafirst Construction Corporation, of Burnaby, the company will install a new automated fuel tank, and remove two used 4,500-litre underground fuel storage tanks and two monitoring wells from the premises of the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Agassiz. Wood Projects Ltd., of Surrey, will remove hazardous wastes from and demolish up to eight old structures, at the same research centre, for the contract amount of $56,212. These structures include the garage, greenhouse and sewage treatment plant. The work in Agassiz will be completed this spring.Standing offers worth a combined total of $600,000 have also been awarded to Norwood Hills Construction, and Ideal Installations Ltd., both of Chilliwack, to provide carpentry services for construction projects across the province, especially in the Fraser Valley, on an as-and-when-requested basis. Both these standing offers will expire in November 2006. A standing offer is an arrangement that allows government departments and agencies to deal with suppliers under set prices and conditions established by a competitive process. A contract will exist with a supplier only when a department or agency orders goods or services from the standing offer agreement. The total cost of the services supplied under these standing offers will not exceed $600,000.Funding for these contracts and standing offers was provided for in the March 2004 Federal Budget.For information on contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada, visit www.merx.com, Canada's official, public sector electronic tendering service.- 30 -For further information, media may contact:Renée GillenPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister(819) 997-5421Pierre TéotonioSenior Media Relations Advisor(819) 956-2310PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at www.pwgsc.gc.ca/text/generic/sub_infocentre_newsrel-e.html
