FAQ:
About the Process
Q: How does the procurement and construction process work?
A: The Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals Project consists of five stages:
- Stage 1 Request for Qualification Stage: Commenced with the issuance of the "Request for Qualifications" document, and concluded with the selection of three qualified proponent teams.
- Stage 2 Proposal Stage: Commenced with the issuance of the RFP to the shortlisted teams, and concluded with the submission of proposals.
- Stage 3 Proposal Stage: Commenced with the evaluation of proposals, and concluded when a Preferred Proponent was identified.
- Stage 4 Contract Finalization and Financial Close Stage: Commenced once the Preferred Proponent had been identified and concluded with the finalization of the project agreement when the Preferred Proponent becomes "Project Co" - the partner in the new hospital development.
- Stage 5 Project Development Stage: The design, development and construction (substantial completion) of the new facilities.
Q: What stage are you in now?
A: Stage 5. Infusion Health was awarded the contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals Project on August 21, 2008. Construction on the KGH and VJH Patient Care Towers and the UBC Medical School building started on November 17, 2008. For a timeline of major milestones, click here. For regular updates on the KGH construction progress, click here. For regular updates on the VJH construction progress, click here.
Q: What was in the Request for Proposals?
A: The primary objective of the RFP was to obtain competitive proposals that would meet the requirements to expand health services and enhance patient care to meeting the increasing demand in the Okanagan, and to do so on time, on budget, and to specified performance standards.
The RFP set out what needed to be included in the proponent teams' proposals, and included information such as: project overview; RFP process; scope of project; financial information; evaluation process; submission requirements.
Q: How were the proponents' proposals evaluated?
A: Proposals were evaluated on their ability to meet a detailed list of project outcomes described in the Request for Proposals document.
Q: Who selected the winning proponent?
A: A Proposal Evaluation Committee made up of representatives from Interior Health and Partnerships BC, as well as expert legal, technical and financial advisers as required, selected the winning proponent.
Q: What is the Project Agreement?
A: The Project Agreement is basically a contract. It outlines the final commercial terms of the agreement between Interior Health and the successful proponent. It will include elements such as performance standards, roles and responsibilities.
Q: When will the Project Agreement be made public?
A: The final version of the Project Agreement can be found on the Partnerships BC website. Interior Health is committed to openness and transparency in procurement while maintaining the integrity of the competitive process and protecting our negotiating position.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: Construction has been progressing very well since ground was broken in Vernon and Kelowna on November 17, 2008. All three parts of the project are on or ahead of schedule. If you would like to receive regular updates on the status of construction, click here. Or visit our project update pages (VJH and KGH). Meanwhile, renovations of Kelowna General Hospital will proceed this summer and fall to allow cardiac revascularization services to be offered starting in 2010.
