OTTAWA, Ontario, December 13, 2013 – The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Worksand Government Services, and the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Minister of National Defence, today announced a contract award to DEW Engineering and Development ULC, of Ottawa, for mobile workspaces under the Medium Support Vehicle System project.
“These contracts for the new mobile workspaces will help sustain over 100 jobs in Ottawa and in Miramichi, New Brunswick,” said Minister Finley. “This is good news for our Canadian Armed Forces, for Canadian workers, and for the Canadian economy.”
In August 2009, the Government of Canada awarded a $130 million competitive contract to DEW Engineering and Development ULC for the provision of 895 baseline shelters. That contract has been increased and a new competitive contract has also been awarded to DEW. The new contract and contract amendments are valued at $73.5 million.
DEW Engineering and Development ULC will now be building an additional 99 shelters through a contract amendment valued at $25 million, in addition to the 895 previously ordered. Under a new competitive contract award, valued at $48.5 million, DEW will also design and “kit,” or equip, 846 of the shelters with such items as power generators, tools, work benches, and electronic and office equipment. The spaces can then be used as command posts, meteorological and medical stations and workshops. The building of the additional shelters and the kitting of the shelters will be done at the company’s Canadian facilities.
“Our Government is committed to providing our men and women in uniform with the right equipment they need to do their jobs,” said Minister Nicholson. “These kitted shelters will provide the additional space and resources required to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to provide support to future missions both at home and abroad.”
These kitted shelters are part of National Defence’s Medium Support Vehicle System project, which is replacing and modernizing the army’s fleet of medium-weight trucks. This will help to ensure that the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces have the ability to provide lift and logistical support on the ground in order to transport resources where they are most needed.
First deliveries of the kitted shelters are planned for the spring of 2014. The delivery of the last kitted shelter is planned for early 2017.
An audio clip is available here.