New tender proposal suggested

Dear Editor

As local business owners we have made extensive investment in our community both financially and emotionally. This is where we live, where our children go to school, where we shop, where we pay taxes and probably where we will be buried.

We recognize that The Town of Strathmore has taken steps in these tough economic times to promote growth by inviting new residents and businesses to move into our locale. This would add to the fiscal diversity of Strathmore by inviting their investment in our future. Though (it is) appreciated, more can be done to promote and safeguard the well being of local business in our Town.

The Town of Strathmore can take the lead and set an example for others in the use of local business to supply product, service and repair of Town infrastructure. By doing this you are in effect getting double value for the dollar spent as the money stays in the community longer.

 

Therefore we respectfully request that Town Administration and Council review and make necessary changes to the “Award to Bidders Policy” that was last revised by Council on September 19, 1990.

The following points could be used to promote “shopping locally,” thereby leveling the playing field for local businesses to compete successfully and simplify the Tender process for Town Administration and Council.

1) Set a quote or tender budget for all jobs with a low and high price to qualify or reject bids submitted. This information should be kept confidential for use only by Administration in qualifying each Tender submitted.

2) Prequalify all vendors and contractors that are invited to bid.
o Licensed for work in the Town of Strathmore?
o Proof of qualification to perform job? Professional Certificates or affiliations
o WCB coverage? Liability insurance? Bonding?
o Quality control documentation? Safety program documentation?
o Security clearance for all workers before work is started? Especially for facilities with children and requiring special security measures.
o Willing to hire labour from local area if vendor is not local? This allows at least some money back into the community and helps to raise the employment rate.
o Warranty for service or product delivered?
o Proof of environmental awareness?
o Proof of performing similar work in scope and cost? References
o Guarantee of delivery bond?

3) Invite local businesses to prequalify, if none or not enough are available, then widen scope to include other municipalities

4) Hold a mandatory site meeting for all prequalified vendors to attend as group to ensure that all get the same information and know who is competing.
o If questions arise during or after the meeting that are not answered in the tender package an ADDENDUM should be sent to each attending vendor.

5) Keep quotes and tenders confidential until close and public opening of Tender

6) Mentor local business. After Tender is awarded inform unsuccessful local venders why they were not chosen, this will serve to educate and mentor their growth for use by the Town in the future. These steps will ensure two things:
   1) A fair system for local vendors to be competitive allowing Strathmore to become more self sustaining.
   2) Simplify the process and ensure that Tax Payers are receiving the best quality work for each dollar spent on a specific project.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Charles and Lorinda Weissig,
White Corner Professional Cleaning Inc.