Another Step Taken on Road to New Ft. St. John Hospital

By 250 News

Fort St. John, B.C.- Northern Health today issued a request for proposals (RFP) to the two qualified proponent teams short-listed to participate in the RFP phase of the competition to design, build, finance and maintain the new Fort St. John Hospital and residential care facility project.

The RFP's release is a significant stage in the procurement process, bringing the start of the hospital's expansion one step closer.

The Fort St. John Hospital project includes:
* A 55-bed acute care hospital;
* A 123-bed residential care facility for seniors; and
* An integrated services building that will provide regional laundry and materiel services, and food services to the Fort St. John facilities.

The facilities will be constructed on a new 16-hectare (40-acre) site in Fort St. John, with land donated by the City of Fort St. John. The new 15,000-square-metre (161,000-square-foot) hospital will replace the aging existing community hospital constructed in 1962. The 5,000-square-metre (54,000-square-foot) residential care development will replace the aging North Peace Care Centre in Fort St. John and add new residential care capacity in the area.

Two bidding teams responded to the request for qualifications (RFQ) that closed on July 8, 2008. Following evaluation of the responses received, both teams were short-listed. They are:
* Peace River Healthcare Solutions; and
* ISL Health.

The teams each have a variety of members who represent B.C.-based companies, as well as national and international companies.

The two short-listed proponents have been invited to respond to the RFP. Once submissions to the RFP are received and evaluated, a preferred proponent will be selected and offered the opportunity to negotiate an agreement to finance and build the hospital project, as well as to provide hospital facility maintenance services in the long run.

Construction of all the facilities within the project is expected to begin in 2009, with completion targeted for late 2011. The new facilities will be pursued as a public-private partnership. Northern Health will retain ownership of the land and the facilities.

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