The Construction Association of Nova Scotia administers the Bid Depository of Nova Scotia. The Bid Depository was developed to assert integrity in bidding procedures and make an orderly process of bidding available to all parties to the tendering process.
The Bid Depository is available to all contractors and owner/tender calling authorities. There is no charge to owner/tender calling authorities using the system. Contractors pay a nominal fee for forms, envelopes and pick up. Contractors or owners/tender calling authorities do not have to hold membership at the Construction Association of Nova Scotia to use the system.
Owner/tender calling authorities receive a copy of all sub/trade contractor quotations, in sealed envelopes, immediately following the bid depository closing.
The system is supervised by the Bid Depository Joint Advisory Council. The Council is comprised of eleven members: two nominated from each of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects and the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia; four nominated from Construction Association of Nova Scotia equally representative of sub/trade and general/prime contractors; two members appointed at the disposition of Council to be representative of major buyers of construction; and the Chairman of the Cape Breton Bid Depository Advisory Committee.
Any complaints about mis-use of the system by general/prime or sub/trade contractors is to be brought to the attention of the Bid Depository Joint Advisory Council in writing. The complaint will be reviewed by Council that will then make a recommendation to the owner/tender calling authority.
The Bid Depository system is suited for conventional lump sum tenders not project management tenders.
