The Provincial Government has re-issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the replacement of Her Majesty’s Penitentiary. As a result of significantly increased construction costs, the parameters of the project have been re-evaluated with an aim of procuring a new facility that is fiscally responsible, while maintaining the new planned programming.
The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, along with the Honourable John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, will be available to the media today (Wednesday, December 20) outside of the House of Assembly, Confederation Building, at 10:30 a.m.
Since 2020, challenging market conditions, such as ongoing supply chain issues and inflation linked to factors such as COVID-19, have impacted construction of infrastructure projects. Some construction materials are reported to have increased by 200-300 per cent, with construction labour costs having increased 100 per cent over historical labour costs required to complete similar projects. However, the need for a new correctional facility remains, and the Provincial Government has made the necessary adjustments to the scope of the project in order for it to advance.
The RFQ represents the first stage in a two-stage procurement process for the 280-bed capacity correctional facility. Following the RFQ process, a Request for Proposals will be issued to design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.
In the interim, the Provincial Government will be implementing temporary enhancements until Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is replaced. For example, temporary outbuildings are being considered to increase space for accommodations, services and programming, which will help improve the experience of staff and inmates.
Information on the RFQ will be available the first week of January 2024 on www.merx.com/govnl. The deadline for receiving proposals is February 16, 2024, after which time qualified bid teams will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals stating project requirements.
Quotes
“Replacing antiquated infrastructure such as Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is important in terms of improving service delivery, providing employment, as well as providing new infrastructure at a responsible cost to taxpayers. While we have altered the scope of the project to make it more economically feasible, our aim of providing a facility that meets the needs of both staff and inmates has not changed.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“The Department of Justice and Public Safety is supportive of this change to the scope of the project. While the procurement process continues, we are actively pursuing temporary infrastructure enhancements that will continue helping to remediate conditions at the facility. New temporary infrastructure is essential for the safety and well-being of staff and inmates until Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is replaced.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
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