Design and Construction Trends Analysis Committee
R
epresentatives of the CIQS Prairies and NWT Chapter participated in the annual ‘Design and Construction Trends Analysis Committee’ held at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre on January 25, 2018. Representatives from the CIQS included Roger Ward (Chapter Advocate), Jerry Crawford (Chapter Representative). The event participants from the public and private sector included Alberta Health Services, Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Roadbuilders, Alberta Transportation, The City of Calgary, The City of Edmonton, Consulting Engineers of Alberta, several Contractors and the CIQS. The forum panel looked at several issues including but not limited to the following: the economic outlook for Calgary and Edmonton, procurement and tendering, labour market conditions, supply chain management issues and facilities maintenance. Several observations were captured; both good and bad from the floor. While the Alberta economy is slowly rebounding from the 2014-2015 energy collapse, economic forces continue to impact the construction procurement process and delivery of projects with dire consequences. Some of the
comments from the stakeholders are as follows: • Traditionally larger contracting firms are targeting smaller projects under $5,000,000 • Un-prequalified bidders are continuing to drive down costs below reasonable tender prices • The movement towards electronic tendering in the public-sector procurement will continue • Currently Calgary has a surplus of 8,000 unoccupied residential condo units • Labour shortages of good tradesmen persist as some workers have returned to BC or ON • Formwork rates are at a 10 year low across the province on all projects types • Most projects are receiving 10 bidders or more on average with 12 bidders on some projects • Owners should choose wisely on bidder selection & avoid the risk associated with the low bid • Capital investment in the food processing and cannabis industry has been strong • Prompt payment discussion is also becoming a central theme gaining more attention
L-R: Roger Ward, Chapter Advocate; Jerry Crawford, Chapter Representative; & Dominic Kiema, Alberta Infrastructure
• Revitalization of the downtown Edmonton core on the private sector level continues • Alberta is now coming to grips with accommodating an aging population • Infrastructure investment decisions must also focus on the longer term operating costs • The global trend in contracting towards higher volumes and lower margins is emerging • Due to tight operating margins, projects are at risk of poor performance and low quality • Project liens are becoming more problematic with a 200% increase in the last 12 months • Procurement processes that introduce liquidated damages yield counterproductive results Article by Jerry Crawford PMP, PQS, GSC Chapter Representative
Membership fee policy changes Membership fees and policies for the April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019 membership year have been reviewed and approved. Invoices have been sent electronically to all designation holders in February 2018. Please note the changes to membership fee policies and deadlines on your invoice and other membership renewal communications. • Membership fees are due March 31, 2018 • Total payment is due upon receipt of the invoice • This invoice is for the CIQS membership period of April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 • A late fee of $50.00 + tax will be automatically applied to payments received after 11:59 p.m. (PST) on March 31, 2018 • Your official receipt and membership card will be available to you online via a link in your email confirmation • Your CIQS Membership will be automatically terminated if payment is not received by 11:59 p.m. (PST) on May 31, 2018 It is important to note: • That a Designation Holder who has been terminated for non-payment of their annual fee shall not apply to themselves the letters of, or hold themselves out as a Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS), Construction Estimator Certified (CEC), Associate Member, or Retired Member of the Institute, and in the case of Professional Quantity Surveyors and Construction Estimator Certified, return their Certificate of membership along with their stamp and/or seal to the Institute. • Terminated Designation Holders are also subject to a reinstatement fee of $200.00 (plus tax) plus the annual fee for the current year. • Professional Quantity Surveyors who have been terminated for more than three years must rewrite the TPE Practice Problem in addition to paying the applicable reinstatement fees.
34 | CONSTRUCTION ECONOMIST | www.ciqs.org | Spring 2018
