The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has officially launched the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Contrecoeur project’s Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM). The RFQ will remain open to national and international industry players for the next three months. By issuing this Request for Qualifications, the MPA aims to find the best possible strategic partnership that can meet the high standards of the project in terms of innovation, efficiency, social responsibility and sustainable development. The goal is to enter into a long-term agreement to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Contrecœur terminal.
More than 100 participants attended a virtual technical briefing open to all potential bidders on November 10, a clear indication of the business community’s strong interest in the project.
“The future Contrecœur container terminal will play a mission-critical role in developing the strategic St. Lawrence trade corridor and in supplying Quebec, Ontario and the U.S. Midwest,” said Martin Imbleau, President CEO of the MPA. “It will be a green, modern and innovative terminal with facilities that feature extensive electrification. Our goal is to make it a world-class infrastructure and we seek partners who share our vision, our values and our ambitions.”
Bidders must demonstrate experience in the design, construction and operation of new port infrastructure and, among other criteria, in generating new shipping volumes. The conditions specified in the Decision Statement issued by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada must also be met.
This is another milestone in achieving the largest expansion project in the history of the Port of Montreal. The project has support from both levels of government, a favourable report from the Canadian Impact Assessment Agency, and a decision statement from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change allowing the project to proceed.
This stage of the procurement process will make it possible to select up to three bidders to participate in the Request for Proposals, set to begin in the second quarter of 2022. (Artist rendering of Contrecoeur project by Port of Montreal)
