Listen Live

City to examine contract posting process

The City of Lloydminster will be looking at how their public tenders are posted.

During Monday’s meeting of city council, questions on the matter arose during the discussion on awarding a contract for replacing the computer hardware used by the municipal government.

Information on the technology refresh project. Source: City of Lloydminster council agenda for March 13, 2017.

The point was brought up by Councillor Aaron Buckingham, who was disappointed to not see any local businesses listed as options for the contract.

 

Buckingham informed council that he had heard from business owners in Lloydminster who had been having trouble finding tenders posted by the city, and directed questions towards administration on how the process worked.

In the ensuing discussion, mayor Gerald Aalbers suggested the use of a tab on the municipal website, and Director of Strategy Todd Corrigall indicated that the Communications and Marketing Department would be examining the issue.

After the meeting, Buckingham expanded on his concerns.

“For me, I’m a shop local guy,” said Buckingham.

“I do business with those who do business with me, as a general rule, keeping that as local as humanly possible. When I see one of these RFP’s come out, there’s 11 (options) on it, and there’s not one local business on there, my immediate question was did they know, were they able to bid it?”

Buckingham said he was concerned about communications from the City on tenders not being as clear as possible, though he did acknowledge local businesses also play a role in finding bidding opportunities.

“Some of the onus has to fall on local business to look for these things, absolutely, but I just wonder if we couldn’t clean up the process,” said Buckingham.

“If we’re going to put them on our city website, for example, let people know that that is where they’re going to be. We’re going to be issuing RFP’s weekly, or whatever the case may be, and when those things go out, we know we can go to the City website and easily find them.”

More information on what administration is planning to do with the process was not available on Monday afternoon, though it is expected in the coming days. As for the technology refresh contract, council voted to award the contract to CDW Canada, at a cost of $24,396.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.

Nenshi takes aim at Alberta Next

The Alberta Next panel which has a stop in Lloydminster on Aug. 27 is coming in for some stick from freshly minted Alberta NDP MLA Naheed Nenshi. The opposition leader labelled the $2 million dollar UCP government effort as "full of extremist language" and having no place in Alberta.

Let your pictures ExploreSask in photo contest

As you point, focus and click this summer, you may consider putting your skills to the test in the ExploreSask Photo Contest which runs until Sep. 30.
- Advertisement -