Update: Report on the Implementation Plan released and Request for Proposals for Professional Design Services issued

A report on the implementation plan for the Ottawa Central Library will be presented to the Ottawa Public Library Board on June 4, 2018, Finance and Economic Development Committee on June 5, 2018, and rise to City Council on June 13, 2018. The report speaks to:

  • Governance Agreement between Ottawa Public Library (OPL), Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the City of Ottawa (City)
  • Funding Strategy for OPL and the City of Ottawa
  • Disposal of existing Main branch
  • Parking Study Recommendations

These meetings are open to members of the public. Please visit eAgenda for meeting information. Both the report to the OPL Board and to the Finance and Economic Development Committee are available to read online.

Request for Proposals (RFP No. 30018-90610-P01) for Professional Design Services for the new Ottawa Central Library was released on May 29, 2018. The RFP’s purpose is for the City of Ottawa to seek to enter into a contract with a qualified entity to provide Professional Design Services for the Ottawa Central Library Project to be located at 557 Wellington Street.

The RFP is the second stage of a two-stage procurement process. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued on May 19, 2017 and closed on July 13, 2017. RFQ submissions were evaluated and the following Respondents, in alphabetical order, were shortlisted to submit a Proposal in response to the RFP:

  • Diamond Schmitt Architects (Canada) – KWC Architects (Canada)
  • Mecanoo International b.v. (Holland) – NORR Architects & Engineers Ltd (Canada)
  • Patkau Architects (Canada) – MSDL Architects (Canada) – GRC Architects (Canada)
  • Revery Architects Inc. (formerly Bing Thom Architects) (Canada) – GRC Architects (Canada)
  • Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects (Denmark) – KPMB Architects (Canada) – Hobin Architecture Inc. (Canada)

The RFP provides information and instructions for proponents responding to the RFP, proposal response requirements, and evaluation and selection methodology. The RFP also includes supporting information such as detailed terms of reference, rated requirements, and financial proposal requirements.

It is expected that the RFP process will be completed by the end of 2018 marked by an award of contract to the successful proponent.

Following approval of the Central Library report by OPL Board and Council, an architectural team will be selected, after which the design development work will begin, including initial concepts and schematic designs. Broad public consultation will be an integral part of the design process. Construction tendering will proceed after the design work is completed.

To protect the integrity of the procurement process, the City will not be responding to external inquiries during the RFP process.