Phase 1 procurement
Phase 1, from Shepard to Eau Claire, will build the core of the Green Line, constructing the most technically complex section of the new LRT line to support future expansion to the north and south. In line with City Council direction from June 2020, Phase 1 procurement is following a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) model with a Development Phase. The Phase 1 project includes 18 km of LRT track, 13 stations including underground and elevated station buildings, bridge structures, three Park and Ride facilities and a maintenance storage facility for light rail vehicles.
What is a DBF with a Development Phase?
In the DBF with Development Phase model, a Development Partner is selected after the conclusion of the RFP stage. The Development Partner works collaboratively with the Owner’s team during an approximately 12-month period to advance design and determine the risk allocation and price as well as the project schedule. There are several stage gate decisions during the Development Phase to ensure alignment between the parties. During this period, long-lead procurement and some work packages may proceed.
Following the Development Phase, the Project Agreement is signed, and the Implementation Phase begins.
Why is The City doing a DBF with Development Phase?
Green Line is committed to a reasonable and balanced procurement strategy, in line with Council direction, which is also attractive to the market. Following extensive consultations with the market, we believe that a DBF with a Development Phase will deliver a successful procurement and project.
How long will the procurement process take?
The RFP stage began at the end of Q3 2022. Following evaluation, the successful proponent will be named as the Development Partner and proceed to the Development Phase in Q1 2023. Timelines may adjust but it is anticipated that we would move to the Implementation Phase by Q2 2024.
How are local contractors able to work on Green Line?
As we advance through the procurement process, Green Line will engage and connect with industry to facilitate their involvement.
Learn more at: https://www.calgary.ca/content/www/en/home/green-line/green-line-construction/green-line-contractors-suppliers.html
Two companies on competing teams have the same ownership, is this fair?
The City of Calgary has a strong history of managing fair, open and transparent procurement processes. We have confidence in our procurement processes and the strength of the teams shortlisted.
We are aware that two companies within our shortlisted project teams to construct Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT Project, Flatiron Constructors and Dragados, are both majority owned by ACS Group. During the RFQ process, this was proactively brought forward by both teams and discussed between the City and applicants. As part of our assessment, measures were established to ensure compliance with procurement requirements which were reviewed and approved by the external Fairness Monitor.
Status DBF-Development Partner:
The Green Line Board has approved the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a proponent to design, construct, and finance Phase 1, from Shepard to Eau Claire, of the Green Line LRT. The RFP was released to the two proponent teams, Bow Transit Connectors (Barnard Constructors of Canada LP, Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd, and WSP Canada Inc) and City Link Partners (Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc, Dragados Canada Inc, Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc, Parsons Inc, and AECOM Canada Ltd), short-listed through the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) stage.
Following evaluation, one of the proponents will be selected in early 2023 as the Development Partner. This will launch an approximately 12-month Development Phase to allow for collaboration, design progression, and better understanding of risks and costs in an open and transparent manner.
78 Avenue S.E. Project
The City has issued an RFP for the 78 Avenue S.E. Grade Separation and Ogden Pedestrian Tunnel (“78th Avenue Project”). This significant construction project will complete:
- A grade separation structure at 78 Avenue S.E. to allow for vehicle access below the CP tracks to/from the CP Rail campus.
- A pedestrian tunnel from the future Ogden Station (around 72 Avenue S.E.) to Ogden Dale Road S.E.
- The closure of the at-grade crossing, which is the current access to the CP Rail campus, between Ogden Road and Ogden Dale Road S.E.
In cooperation with Canadian Pacific Railway, the 78 Avenue Project will enhance transportation safety in the vicinity of the future Green Line Ogden Station.
Procurement update
Read more about the 78 Avenue S.E. Project
Status:
On March 7, 2023, the Green Line Board released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 78 Avenue S.E. Grade Separation and Ogden Pedestrian Tunnel (“78th Avenue Project”). The contract for the 78th Avenue Project will be awarded in Q2 2023 with work starting in Summer 2023.
Delivery Partner
The Delivery Partner will supplement the Green Line team in support of delivering Phase 1 across a range of project functions, including commercial management, technical support, project controls, and construction management. CSIX Partners brings extensive technical and commercial expertise in complex megaprojects with an ability to scale resources based on project needs and phasing.
Delivery Partner selected
Read more about CSIX Partners as the Delivery Partner
How was the Delivery Partner selected?
In November 2022, Green Line announced that following RFP evaluation, the Green Line Board had selected CSIX Partners as the Delivery Partner. The agreement was finalized in December, following negotiations. CSIX Partners is comprised of:
- Aldea Services Inc
- Altus Group
- Mott MacDonald
- SNC-Lavalin
- Turner & Townsend
Green Line works with City Supply Management to procure and award all contracts for Phase 1. As the stewards of responsible public spending, City Supply Management has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure City spending be conducted with the highest level of transparency, openness, and fairness.
As such, all procurement of goods and services by The City is subject to the following trade agreements: the New West Partnership Trade Agreement; Canadian Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
The Delivery Partner RFP process began in July 2022 and was overseen by a third-party fairness monitor. The process also included the receipt of signed declarations with each team’s submission regarding their compliance with conflict-of-interest requirements (as described in the procurement documents) and all applicable law.
There were no findings that would disqualify any member of CSIX Partners from being named Green Line’s Delivery Partner.
As our Delivery Partner, CSIX will supplement the Green Line team in support of delivering Phase 1 across a range of project functions, including commercial management, technical support, project controls, and construction management. CSIX Partners bring extensive technical and commercial expertise in complex megaprojects with an ability to scale resources based on project needs and phasing.
Status Delivery Partner:
Following RFP evaluation, the Green Line Board selected CSIX Partners, comprised of Aldea Services Inc, Altus Group, Mott MacDonald, SNC-Lavalin and Turner & Townsend, as the Delivery Partner and they will now enter into negotiations. The procurement process, which began in July 2022, was overseen by a third-party fairness monitor throughout the RFP process.
LRV procurement
The Green Line LRT will run low floor light rail vehicles (LRVs) as they offer a sleek modern design and enhanced benefits including improved accessibility, increased capacity per train, enhanced safety and a smaller footprint for station structure than the existing high floor system used on the Red and Blue Lines. The City will procure an LRV supplier to design, test, supply, deliver and commission 28 low floor LRVs and provide support services to keep the LRVs operational for the Green Line LRT.
The LRV experience
See more information about the Urbos 100 LRV.
Status:
In November 2021, following a robust competitive procurement process, CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) was awarded the contract to supply Green Line’s new fleet of low floor LRVs. The procurement process, which began in February 2019, was overseen by a third-party fairness monitor throughout the RFQ and RFP process.
CAF’s proposal met all of the City’s technical and commercial requirements. The Urbos 100 LRVs offer modern low-floor technology adding excellent value for Calgarians. This new fleet will provide Calgary with a world-class transit option.
Early works procurement
Early works projects help to de-risk and create efficiencies for main construction. The projects typically require long lead times and ample resources. Completing them in advance helps make main construction more efficient. The Green Line LRT Project has focused early works projects in the southeast and in the Beltline and Downtown areas.
Utility relocations
Learn about the Beltline and Downtown Uility Relocation Project.
Southeast:
Since 2017, a wide variety of early works projects have been underway. Most of the projects are nearing completion for the current scope of work. Schedule analysis is underway for potential opportunities to progress further critical work.
Beltline and Downtown:
The overall project involves locating utilities that will conflict with the main construction and removing and relocating them to nearby streets and alleys. This utility relocation project started in May 2021. PCL was awarded a contract through a competitive process as the construction management contractor.
City of Calgary contracting
Green Line is working with City Supply Management to procure and award contracts for Phase 1. As the stewards of responsible public spending, City Supply Management has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure City spending be conducted with the highest level of transparency, openness, and fairness. As such, all procurement of goods and services by The City is subject to the following trade agreements: the New West Partnership Trade Agreement; Canadian Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Bid opportunities
Bid opportunities are advertised through The City of Calgary's Ariba Discovery Page and Alberta Purchasing Connection through a fair and equitable process. Learn more about bid and vendor information, including how to become a vendor.
