For immediate releaseCLARENVILLE, Newfoundland and Labrador, April 8, 2004 - Two regional individual competitive standing offers, worth $880,000 each, have been awarded to IPB - WPI International Inc., of Clarenville, to supply timber to various marine sites in Newfoundland and Labrador on an as-and-when-requested basis. These standing offers are expected to maintain four jobs each and will expire in August 2005 with the option to extend them for up to two additional months.The announcement was made today by the Honourable John Efford, MP for Bonavista-Trinity- Conception and Minister of Natural Resources Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Public Works and Government Services."I am glad that local companies are getting actively involved in the bidding process for federal contracts," said Minister Efford. "This company will use its expert knowledge of the vast natural resource base of Newfoundland and Labrador to supply top-quality timber for use in wharf, breakwater and slipway construction projects across the island. Improving the economic vitality of our island communities by maintaining the highest standards possible for our marine facilities is a priority for the Government of Canada."Under the first standing offer, the company will supply timber to be used in the construction of wharfs, breakwaters and slipways in the central region of Newfoundland and Labrador. The second standing offer will handle the supply of timber for the construction of similar facilities in the eastern portion of the island.A standing offer is an arrangement that allows government departments and agencies to deal with suppliers under set prices and conditions. 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 goods supplied under each of these standing offers will not exceed $880,000.Funding for these 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 Minister Owen(819) 997-5421Pierre TéotonioSenior Media Relations Advisor(819) 956-2310
