PPP process: workshops with candidates

Under the terms of the Request for Proposals, a consultation process involving three invited candidates has been put in place. This process is divided into three components:

• A general information session held on July 26;
• Thematic information sessions about specific topics such as the impact of geotechnical conditions on structures and roadways. These sessions took place on August 1 and 2;
• Discussion workshops with each of the candidates who were met individually. These workshops began the week of September 3 and will continue until the end of December.

The purpose of these workshops is to give candidates the opportunity to present their comments, to specify their needs in terms of clarification and to share their concerns with regard to the Request for Proposals documents. These workshops foster a better understanding of the project and the partnership envisioned by the candidates. They will also enable the MTQ to produce the final version of the Partnership Agreement including the technical requirements, and more particularly, the version based on which the three candidates will table their respective proposals in spring 2008.

These workshops address different topics, for example technical requirements and the legal agreement binding the partner, remuneration mechanisms, environmental requirements, usage, toll revenue, and fee structure.

Eight workshops lasting approximately one day each are planned with each of the three candidates. This represents 24 days of discussions involving approximately ten representatives from the MTQ and ten representatives from each of the candidates. In addition to ensuring a thorough process, the workshops will require that the MTQ spokespersons are able to provide the answers to candidates’ questions, which are often specific and highly technical.

Finally, it is important to note that the process auditor may, at his discretion, attend any of the workshops.