(Tuesday, March 20, 2001, Halifax, Nova Scotia) - "Halifax Regional Council will make application to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for a declaration as to the issues raised at this stage of the evaluation process", Mayor Peter Kelly announced today.

HRM received submissions late last year from two private sector consortia competing to design, build, and operate the proposed $315 million Harbour Solutions System. Regional Council, on the recommendation of the Harbour Solutions Project Manager and the Council Advisory Committee, agreed at that time to extend the final deadline until February 19, 2001, because both submissions contained some deficiencies. To ensure the selection process remained competitive, it was agreed that both proponents would be allowed to remain in the running. There is now some question as to whether one or more of the amended submissions were complete on February 19, 2001. Under the Terms of the RFP, proposals which were incomplete on the due date are not to be evaluated.

If both proponents are willing to agree, both of their proposals may be evaluated on their merit and a court application will not be necessary at this time.

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Mayor Peter Kelly
Office: (902) 490-4010
Home: (902) 835-6097