Canadian Construction Association Calls for Changes to the Bidding Process for Construction Projects
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is recommending that bid-calling authorities require construction bids to list all the trades and subcontractors significant to a contract price.
"Groups supporting this change are clearly stating that they prefer transparency and fairness and would prefer not to operate in the dark," said John Blair, director of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC).
The recommendation is aimed at enhancing accountability in the construction industry and reducing bid shopping—the process by which companies share a contractor’s or subcontractor’s bid to instigate a bidding war. This often results in cheaper materials and labour being used in construction projects.
The CCA consulted with a variety of stakeholders—including general and trade contractors, road builders, manufacturers and suppliers—to reach a consensus before issuing its recommendation.