b'BCCA UPDATEPROCURING CONSTRUCTION IN THE POST-COVID WORLDhen construction industry W stakeholders identify the top issues facing the industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector in B.C., they rightly flag challenges that have long been front and centeravailability of skilled workforce, prompt payment, profit margins. But in the past couple of years,on investment in public infrastructureprocurement are on hand to advise on two new top concerns have emerged:projects. As we move into recoverythe process, making it easier and more Lack of procurement best practices and continue through Phase 3 of re- cost efficient to attract and assess bids Lag in owners adopting andopening, the provincial governmentthrough BidCentral than any other way. applying technology solutions is making historic levels of capital to procurement investment, promising $22.9 billionBidCentral provides free entry-level over the next three years. access to any company that serves B.C.s These two trends are linked becauseconstruction industry, and regional every successful construction projectCommunities rightly want to see localconstruction association members begins with an airtight procurementvalue for money from these projects,receive a 60 per cent discount off their process, and technology makes thatand the value chain often starts withPremium Membership, which unlocks possible. If the procurement approachhiring local contractors and keepingunlimited access to projects and a and implementation is flawed,those dollars in the economy. host of valuable tools and resources. contractors may perceive the project riskBidCentral is free to owners.as too high. If enough compliant bidsIn B.C., the industry is fortunate are not submitted, the project is moreto have BidCentral, a full-serviceIts worth noting that, as a digital likely to suffer unnecessary delays andprocurement platform specific toprocurement platform, BidCentral cost overruns. construction, created and operatedplays an immediate role in facilitating by the non-profit, non-partisan B.C.the new virtual world in which we As public procurement experts retire,Construction Association (BCCA)must all succeed during the pandemic. the knowledge gap continues to widenand supported by local experts in fourIt also helps fill knowledge gaps in the and the project risk increases, but regional construction associations,procurement workforce. the right technology can make a including the Southern Interior huge difference. Construction Association (SICA). Construction has been deemed essential Public sector projects underway andBidCentral makes that essentialto B.C.s economy, and BidCentral proposed in B.C. have a combinedcommunity outreach simple by givingis essential for procurement success. value of over $125 billion. Thats a bigpublic sector procurement managersGet in touch today to schedule an spend at any time, but the significancethe tools they need to manage theirintroductory session. Wed love to show is even more apparent through theproject along with unparalleled accessyou around.lens of COVID-19. Massive economicto local contractor networks. Over challenges are putting new pressures10,000 contractorsnearly 50 per centTo find out more about the course on budgets, and there is more needof B.C.s entire industrial, commercialProject Procurement for Public Sector than ever to make each dollar count,and institutional construction industryConstruction contact your Regional especially as the public spending use BidCentral to source bids andConstruction Association or the team response after COVID-19 leans heavilylook for projects. BidCentral experts inat bidcentral.ca/company.12 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'