By Mark Squibb/November 18, 2021
Mount Pearl has awarded Summit Centre roof repairs to North Shore Roofing through a sole source contract rather than competitive bidding, meaning the company was chosen without checking comparative bids from other companies.
It was done, explained councilor Mark Rice, to protect and extend a warranty.
“Back in July, council, in a committee of the whole meeting, decided to move forward with a sole source roof repair through the original roof membrane manufacturer to ensure both quality work and to ensure the integrity of the existing roof warranty, which was extended, by negotiations, from a 10-year material only to a 15-year materials and labor along with a 25-year materials warranty,” he explained.
The quote received from North Shore Roofing to complete the repair was $99,790, HST included.
Rice said with the winter weather and the funding deadline of December 31 approaching fast, the City ought to move quickly on the matter.
Councilor Jim Locke said council is often reluctant to embark on sole source contracting, and he wanted it clarified whether the City went this particular route to protect the warranty or could they have gone with another bidder.
Director of Infrastructure and Public Works Gerry Antle explained that in order to keep the warranty integral to all of the building to one manufacturer, the committee brought to council the recommendation to have the work sole scoured.
Locke then asked for an assurance that going this route will protect the warranty, to which Antle said it would.
Mayor Dave Aker noted that while sole sourcing isn’t necessarily a red flag, it requires an explanation at the council table, as competitive bidding is how you typically get best value.
Either way, Mount Pearl is actually paying for very little of the project.
The City was approved for $125,770 in provincial government COVID stimulus funding for the Summit Centre roof repairs and a Track & Field accessible ramp/walkway entrance. The City’s contribution to the project is $13,970.
