The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) invites firms to submit a Proposal for the following: Provide full architectural and engineering review of the physical building located at 333 Broadway in Winnipeg, Manitoba and provide budget costing for found work, recognizing that aspects of the building are classified as heritage resources pursuant to The Heritage Resources Act (Manitoba).
Description of Services
The WCB requires the Contractor to provide a comprehensive architectural and engineering review of the physical building located at 333 Broadway and provide budget costing for found work, recognizing that aspects of the building and its contents are classified as heritage resources pursuant to The Heritage Resources Act (Manitoba).
The comprehensive architectural and engineering review will require the following:
1.1 Architectural Assessment
Architectural review of the building will be carried out to assess the building condition and applicable building construction code compliance, including, but not limited to:
• Conduct a site review of the existing facility to assess the condition of the existing visible building elements including walls and partitions, floors, ceilings, doors and finishes, and comment on remaining life expectancy;
• Collect and record photographs of the existing facility;
• Assess the current classification of the building under The Buildings Act (Manitoba), assess the existing ratings of fire separations and closures, assess the existing flame spread ratings of interior finishes, and assess the current exiting and access to exit; and
• Meet with local approving authority to identify any code deficiencies, including life-safety and barrier free access issues.
PRODUCT: A written architectural audit of the existing facility which will include identification of key deficiencies and comments on building code deficiencies and budget costing.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report will be provided to the WCB.
1.2 Building Envelope
The building envelope inspection will be conducted to assess the condition of the building wall system and materials, including, but not limited to:
• Employment of a combination of visual inspection and diagnostic testing procedures with no demolition or invasive openings;
• Condition of existing windows;
• Smoke trace tests; and
• Assessment of aspects and components comprising the building envelope as defined by the National Building Code of Canada 2020.
PRODUCT: A written audit of the existing building envelope conditions which will include key deficiencies and comments on life expectancy, and proposed maintenance and replacement schedule of deficiencies and budget costing.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report is to be provided to the WCB.
1.3 Structural Assessment
A structural review of the building will be carried out to assess the structural elements of the building, including general structural system, floor, and roof systems including, but not limited to:
• The structural engineer will conduct a visual, non-intrusive investigation of the exposed structural elements of the building for the purpose of assessing the general condition of the building.
• The engineer will comment on any visual signs of foundation movement.
PRODUCT: A written structural report which will include assessment of the building's structural elements with comments on their past performance and future maintenance/remedial work requirements, identification of key deficiencies with probable cause identified where possible, and budget costing.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report is to be provided to the WCB.
1.4 Mechanical Assessment
A mechanical review of the building systems will be carried out to assess the condition of the HVAC systems, air quality, plumbing, and fixtures including, but not limited to:
• A mechanical engineer will review the existing maintenance information and conduct a visual, non-intrusive inspection of the building for the purpose of assessing the general condition of the building's mechanical systems which are accessible for inspection;
• Evaluate the condition and comment on life expectancy of equipment and systems;
• Review building for code deficiencies and/or deviation from present day codes (some code deficiencies may be grandfathered);
• Review and comment on ventilation provided and ventilation require for the current function;
• Review and comment on heating and cooling systems, deficiencies, capacity, maintenance required, and life expectancy;
• Review plumbing systems and identify deficiencies, capacity, maintenance required, and life expectancy; and
• Interview maintenance personnel to identify problems and maintenance procedures.
PRODUCT: A written mechanical report including photographs, which will include identification of key deficiencies with probable cause identified where possible, assessment of the building mechanical systems with respect to performance and durability, and capacity with respect to current occupancy, complete with probable costs for upgrade requirements and eminent replacement of equipment within five to ten (5-10) years.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report is to be provided to the WCB.
1.5 Electrical Assessment
An electrical review of the building systems will be carried out to assess the condition of the electrical systems, distribution, lighting levels, fire alarm and detection, emergency lighting, and security, including, but not limited to.
• An electrical engineer will review the existing maintenance information and conduct a visual, non-intrusive inspection of the building for the purpose of assessing the general condition of the building's electrical and emergency systems which are accessible for inspection;
• Evaluate the condition and comment on life expectancy of equipment and systems;
• Review construction code deficiencies and/or deviation from present day codes (some code deficiencies may be grandfathered);
• Assessment of lighting equipment and levels, life safety equipment, security system, main distribution panel and branch circuit wiring, circuit panels, capacity of same, main feeders and branch circuit panel feeders, branch circuit wiring, emergency and exit lighting, power receptacles and isolated ground receptacles;
• Assess design of emergency power system;
• Verify presence of smoke detectors in exit stair shafts, around draft stops at openings in interconnected floor spaces and elevator recall levels;
• Review alarm system verification documents and periodic maintenance reports, note any recurring problems, and investigate them if possible (review zoning of alarm system to confirm it complies with National Building Code of Canada 2020); confirm the central alarm and control facility conforms to National Building Code of Canada 2020;
• Contact Manitoba Hydro to confirm present transformer capacity; and
• Identify potential upgrades which may be supported by other funding sources which can impact future maintenance costs.
PRODUCT: A written electrical report which will include identification of key deficiencies with probable cause identified where possible, assessment of the building's electrical and emergency systems with respect to performance and code compliance, and identify potential solutions to the existing deficiencies, complete with probable costs for upgrade requirement and eminent replacement of equipment within five to ten (5-10) years.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report is to be provided to the WCB.
1.6 Roofing Assessment
Roof inspection will be conducted to evaluate the overall condition of the roof, including insulation value, flashing and drainage, and life expectancy through visual examination.
PRODUCT: A written audit of the existing roof which will include identification of key deficiencies and comments on maintenance solutions and life expectancy, complete with recommendations and budget costing for any work that may be required.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report is to be provided to the WCB.
1.7 Designated Substances
The Contractor will review prior test reports and verify that current standards are being met. The WCB's asbestos management plan will be provided to the Contractor.
PRODUCT: A written audit of the existing facility identifying known designated substances within the building based on visual examination and historical data, complete with recommendations and budget costing for any remedial work that may be required.
During the inspection: If any emergency issue is found, expectation is that an immediate report is to be provided to the WCB.
The Services shall normally be performed during Business Hours. However, the WCB may request some of the Services to be performed outside Business Hours from time to time, as deemed necessary, in the unfettered discretion of the WCB. Services may need to be performed outside Business Hours if it involves any task that may be disruptive to the ongoing business operations. The Contractor shall not be entitled to charge overtime rates unless specified in the Fee Schedule.
The Vendor and its assigned resources must have experience and knowledge with architectural, structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
The Proposal should include qualifications of all its resources that may be assigned to provide the Services in their stated fields, along with any heritage resource impact assessment experience they possess.
The Proposal should include an overview of the proposed resource(s) being offered, including profiles of work which highlight their experience performing similar projects.
Even if the Contractor is not required under The Workers Compensation Act to have and maintain workers compensation coverage in Manitoba, the WCB shall require the Contractor to purchase and maintain workers compensation coverage for its workers who will be providing the Services in Manitoba.
The Services shall be provided onsite at the WCB's facilities and from the Contractor's facilities located in Canada, as applicable, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Mandatory Onsite Visit
Vendors must attend onsite for a walk-through inspection of the office facilities located at 333 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba (the "Mandatory Onsite Visit"). The WCB will provide one (1) Mandatory Onsite Visit on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. MB Time. Due to restricted access throughout the WCB facilities, late arrivals will not be allowed to catch up with the group. Vendors are required to have a representative attend the Mandatory Onsite Visit for that Vendor's Proposal to be considered. All attending representative will be required to sign a "Pledge of Confidentiality & Restriction on Use of Information" due to possible contact with WCB confidential information during the Mandatory Onsite Visit. Vendors are strongly encouraged to confirm with Ray Daumler, Director, Administrative Services (1-204-954-4444), if they plan to attend.
It is expected the Services will be completed within an eight (8) month period with a preferred start date of May 1, 2025 for a project completion date on or before December 31, 2025. The WCB shall have an irrevocable option to further extend the completion of the Services on the same terms and conditions and fees for an additional period of up to six (6) months, if unforeseen delays are encountered.
Vendors are not permitted to contact any employees, officers, or agents of the WCB for matters regarding this RFP, except in writing to the Agreement Administrator. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in the disqualification of a Vendor and rejection of its Proposal.
