TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: November 16, 2026 Report No. EPW-26-013
TO: Council
FROM: Kyla Kay, Project Manager and Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT: Devonshire Catchment Sanitary Sewer Upgrades - Design Contract Award
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council award a design contract, including optional and provisional work and future change orders within the approved budget, to Binnie in the amount of $292,175 excluding GST, for the Devonshire Catchment Sanitary Sewer Upgrades, as described in Staff Report EPW-26-013.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to award an options analysis and design contract for the Devonshire Catchment Sanitary Sewer Upgrades project between Lampson Pump Station and the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Devonshire meter chamber at Dominion Road and Devonshire Road.
BACKGROUND:
The Township is committed to maintaining and improving its infrastructure through capital replacements and upgrades to ensure reliable and efficient infrastructure for its residents. The Township has begun upgrading infrastructure that is identified in the Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Plan, such as the Uganda Pump Station upgrades completed earlier this year and the Gosper Crescent sewer upgrades that are set to begin shortly. The Devonshire Catchment has been identified as the next priority area.
The Devonshire catchment area covers a large portion of the northeastern quadrant of the Township. The purpose of this project is to address capacity and condition issues within the identified project area. Figure 1 below shows the project area, which does not include the entire Devonshire catchment area but encompasses the area of greatest concern.
Figure 1. Project Area
All the sanitary sewer main segments shown in red above are identified as Priority 1 (P1) in the Township’s Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Plan. P1 is defined as “Projects that exhibit the highest level of risk, associated with an elevated likelihood of failure triggered by both condition and capacity concerns, and an elevated consequence of failure”. Further details are available in the Asset Management Plan on the Township’s website at www.Esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/reports-projects.
Requests for Proposals
On September 24, 2026, staff issued Request for Proposal (RFP) ENG-26-05 for consultant services to complete options analysis, detailed design, cost estimating, tender preparation and support, contract administration, and inspection service for priority sewer upgrades in the Devonshire catchment area. The RFP closed on October 28, 2026. The following is a summary of the six (6) proposals received:
Proponent Cost (excluding GST)
Associated Engineering $384,076.00
Binnie $292,175.00
ISL $385,623.34
KWL $548,660.00
MSR $219,970.00
Pacific Vista Consulting $243,595.00
Proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria identified in the RFP:
Description Weight
Fee Proposal 30%
Project Team Experience and Capacity 25%
Project Understanding & Methodology 25%
Project Schedule 10%
References 10%
Staff reviewed the proposals and determined all six proposals meet the requirements of the RFP. Staff completed a thorough analysis of the proposals, scoring each proposal using the evaluation criteria listed above. Binnie received the highest score from all three staff evaluators.
ANALYSIS:
Staff recommend awarding a contract to Binnie, who provided the best overall value based on the evaluation criteria and was selected as the preferred proponent. Their proposal demonstrated a clear understanding of the project and the existing and potential issues within the Township’s sanitary sewer system. They provided thoughtful consideration on how best to address and mitigate these concerns. The team brings relevant experience through similar project work for other municipalities in the CRD, including Saanich, Oak Bay and Sidney.
The preferred bid for this project is within the budget and allows for sufficient contingency for the project to proceed to subsequent phases, including detailed design, contractor procurement, contract administration, and construction. If awarded, the options analysis would begin immediately.
Environmental Impact:
The Devonshire Catchment Sanitary Sewer Upgrades will reduce risk to the environment by replacing sections of the sanitary network that are at or near capacity and in poor condition. Not managing sanitary sewer infrastructure in a proactive way increases risk to the environment. Currently the Township is reactive; implementing the proposed upgrades will add resiliency to the sanitary system and move the Township toward a proactive approach by replacing infrastructure before it fails.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The 2026-2030 Financial Plan identifies the following budgets that will be used to fund this work:
- 2026 (approved budget)
o $1,500,000 Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Renewals - Capital Projects Reserve Fund.
- 2027 (proposed budget)
o $1,750,000 Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Renewals - Capital Projects Reserve Fund.
- 2028 (proposed budget)
o $2,000,000 Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Renewals - Capital Projects Reserve Fund.
As of November 16, 2026, the available budget in 2026 for this work is $751,429.95, reflecting other project expenditures to date. The high scoring proposal submitted by Binnie is $292,175 excluding GST. Based on this, the project can be delivered within the approved budget while maintaining an acceptable contingency for future phases of this project and other ongoing sewer system upgrade projects.
The 2027 and 2028 budgets are shown to reflect the expected construction costs associated with this project. The budget is split into two years due to the expected duration to deliver the entire project.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council award a design contract, including optional and provisional work and future change orders within the approved budget, to Binnie in the amount of $292,175 excluding GST, for the Devonshire Catchment Sanitary Sewer Upgrades, as described in Staff Report EPW-26-013.
2. That Council request additional information from staff.
3. That Council provide alternate direction to staff.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
Once a design has been finalised and the construction phase is ready to take place, staff and the successful contractor will manage communications. Staff will mail a letter to all residents within the project area in advance of construction to explain the project and impacts. The contractor will be required to notify residents during construction of traffic and pedestrian impacts. Staff will utilize social media and the Township’s website where necessary to communicate significant impacts.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
The next step in this project is issuance of a Notice of Award pending Council approval.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
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