Breaking New Ground—Stories from Defence Construction Breaking_new_ground | Page 134

At the same time, the threats that Canada and the world now face have prompted the federal government to focus on security using a variety of means—including boosting our vital intelligence capabilities. In Ottawa, for example, addressing the issue of overcrowded quarters will help our national cryptologic organization, Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC), meet its mandate more efficiently. DCC stepped in to help solve a complicated construction challenge with a public-private partnership (P3) sourcing alternative that will bring the new Long-Term Accommodation project (LTAP) from concept to completion in just five years. To achieve this, DCC used innovative procurement practices, including collaborating with industry partners in the early stages of the procurement process to better understand what industry could provide, rather than specifying needs without knowing whether industry could meet them. This helped ensure that CSEC obtained best value for the $880-million construction contract. Awarded in January 2011, this project is the largest P3 contract in Canadian government history. And at one of Canada’s busiest Air Force bases, 8 Wing Trenton, more than 20 construction projects are currently underway—from construction of a hangar and other facilities for new aircraft to meet Canada’s changing strategic needs, to the construction of a new multi-purpose facility for the CF Aerospace Warfare Centre and a new facility for the Air Mobility Training Centre. These projects reflect Trenton’s strategic 124 location and its function as the hub for much of the CF’s deployment to operations across the country and around the world. All of this construction activity is considered essential to maintaining the security of Canada and of Canadians abroad, says DCC President James Paul. Many of the projects come with significant challenges—not least, the need for them to be built as quickly as possible while maintaining very high standards of construction and oversight. DCC employees have always risen to these challenges, and it gives us all a great deal of pride to be involved with the Department of National Defence in helping to keep our country and our citizens safe. Developing unmatched capabilities Throughout the past six decades, Defence Construction Canada has proven itself nimble in terms of addressing changing client needs, adjusting the scope of work as required. DCC’s involvement with the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler reflects this willingness to match our efforts with our Client- Partner’s needs, explains James Paul. Since DND was charged with helping to ensure the security of all those involved, from athletes and officials to residents and visitors, we were able to support DND on the infrastruc- ture side, managing the entire process of building temporary accommodation areas for CF personnel— from concept and construction to removal and site remediation. This unique partnership between DCC and DND consistently allows our client to focus on its prime mandate, as it knows that its infrastructure needs will be well managed in a very timely manner. BREAKING NEW GROUND DEFENCE CONSTRUCTION CANADA