During the 2011 budget deliberations, council approved Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) funding to construct a library as an addition to the North Thornhill Community Centre. The VPL board directed staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP). In stage one, 10 bids were evaluated, and three qualified for the next stage.
During stage two of the process, the top three bidders submitted detailed drawings but unfortunately exceeded the approved budget. This resulted in staff cancelling the stage-two process and re-scoping the entire project. A new RFP was released, but again no compliant bids were received by the closing date of Dec. 6, 2012, and bidding was cancelled. In the past weeks, the VPL board approved adding surplus funds to the project budget to increase potential bids and directed staff to reissue the RFP immediately.
I share many of the concerns expressed by the community regarding these unprecedented delays, and I know they have caused much frustration and disappointment for many, including myself. However, I can attest to the fact that the city follows a very transparent and fair procurement process, and we will continue to do everything possible to move this project along as quickly as possible.
For more information, feel free to contact my office at 905-832-8585, ext. 8342, or via e-mail at Sandra.Racco@vaughan.ca. You may also contact my office if you are interested in receiving my local e-newsletter.