Project Summary

Client
City of New Westminster

Budget
$36 Million

Services
Project Management, Construction Management

Market
Utilities, Infrastructure

Project Description

The City of New Westminster has some of Western Canada’s oldest infrastructure, including the highest percentage of combined sewers per kilometre of sewers. As with all municipalities of Metro Vancouver, members are required under the Regional Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan (ILWRMP) to develop and implement Integrated Storm Management Plans (ISMPs) to better manage storm water and protect their watersheds.

New Westminster has developed a Water Asset Management Plan (AMP) to prioritize replacement of its old cast iron mains. The City has approximately 210km of watermains, of which 50% (105km) are aging, unlined cast iron watermains. New Westminster will implement the Water AMP, the ILWRMP & Citywide ISMP goals and actions, and achieve the following project objectives in its West End area of for 16th, 18th, and 20th Street catchments:

  • installation of 8.4km of storm sewers;
  • installation of 3.3km of watermains;
  • installation of 24 infiltration bulges (rain gardens);
  • installation for 3 permanent flow monitoring stations.

Our Role

With a completion date targeted for 2027, RAM is providing Project Management services for selected portions (16th, 18th, and 20th Street catchments) of the West End Sewer Separation, Green Infrastructure, and Watermain Rehabilitation Project.

The Project Management scope of work, which is comprehensive, includes the following:

  • development of the Project Charter, Project Execution Plan (PEP), and other Project Management plans (e.g. Cost Management Plan, Change Management Plan, Stakeholder Management Plan);
  • manage and oversee construction on behalf of the City;
  • coordinate, track, and resolve warranty issues;
  • coordinate hand-over of construction works and prepare Project Closeout Report;
  • provide recommendations for improvement and update the City’s draft Engineering Services Project Management Framework;
  • manage and oversee the procurement process for the design and construction services;
  • manage the design consultant team and oversee their contract administration duties;
  • supervise all cost control and project accounting during the design and construction phases;
  • provide monthly progress reports indicating project’s status with respect to schedule, budget, change orders, look-ahead work plan, potential risks and recommendations and photographic records of construction;
  • in cooperation with the consultant, coordinate compilation/submission of as-built plans and TCA (Tangible Capital Assets) reports as per the City’s requirements;
  • coordinate and chair regular meetings with the City of New Westminster project team, steering committee, design consultant, and contractor;
  • provide marketing and communications support to the City’s Rain Garden initiative, including developing public education materials, monitoring community feedback, and coordinating with the City’s communications team.

 

Project Highlights

RAM helped develop the procurement process for the construction scope of the program, such that a competitive bidding process was carried out consisting of a Request for Prequalification (RFPQ) and a Request for Proposal (RFP). The procurement process employed a combination of two methods: Open Book Cost Estimating and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD).

This process was found to be highly successful for the client, since the RFPQ received thirteen submissions that were then evaluated, and seven proponents were shortlisted to receive the RFP.

The RFP requested pricing for an initial catchment, with the potential to add two subsequent catchments to the scope based on contractor performance. This consolidated approach compressed the project schedule by eliminating the need for three separate procurement cycles. Additionally, it allowed RAM and the client to evaluate the contractor’s performance during the first phase before awarding the remaining scope.

This timesaving procurement process allowed for all stakeholders involved (client, RAM, and contractor) to work collaboratively to deliver the highest quality services while staying within the project budget.