The University of Waterloo (UW) intends to award a single source contract for elevator modernization to Delta Elevator Co. Ltd. for Beck and Eby Hall. Beck and Eby Hall, are two 13 storey residential towers, owned and operated by the University of Waterloo (UW) Housing and Residences department. Beck and Eby Hall each have 2 traction elevators, circa 1970. Due to the recent increase in service calls, including emergency response for entrapment in the elevators, UW is seeking complete design-build proposals to modernize all four, 13 storey elevators within Beck and Eby Hall commencing June 1, 2019, with total completion not later than August 28, 2019, including associated cooling and fire alarm upgrades. If other potential suppliers/installers submit statements of qualifications during this posting period and meet the requirements set out in this Notice, UW will proceed to a Request for Proposal process in order to award the contract. Elevator supplier/installer companies shall submit a proposed project schedule with a demonstratable ability to meet the above-noted schedule.
SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:
Originating in November 2017, architectural and engineering consultants were retained by UW to prepare an elevator replacement feasibility study. Delta Elevator Co was subconsulted by the prime consultant based on Delta's current service agreement to maintain these 4 elevators. It was known at that time that the elevators were a high priority item for the Housing and Residences department. The final report was not completed until January 15, 2019.
The report concluded that the ideal project to modernize the existing hoistways with new floor stops (hoistway openings) in addition to replacing the elevator equipment would take upwards of 8-10 months.
During the time it took to compile the report the elevators started to generate an increasing number of service calls to either our UW first response team in our Central Plant, or Delta Elevator, our approved service contractor. The towers are tall enough that elevators are mandatory when the building is occupied. Work in the towers can typically only occur between June 1 and August 30 annually. Although it was not possible to predict a date by when the elevators would no longer be serviceable, it was understood that the downtime would be many weeks considering the age of the equipment and that critical equipment was no longer manufactured or available. Although the due diligence of planning for a replacement began as early as November 2017, there is an elevated risk of failure. The next available 16 week shutdown schedule within Beck and Eby Hall is summer 2020.
