Ontario Construction News staff writer
Infrastructure Ontario, together with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for teams to design, build, finance and maintain a new science facility complex in Oakville.
The RFQ, released Sept. 15, is the first step in selecting a consortium to deliver the project. Submissions will be used to shortlist teams with the design, construction and financial capacity to manage what officials describe as a large and complex undertaking. Shortlisted bidders will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals, expected in spring 2026.
The new facility will permanently replace two existing ministry sites: the Environment Ministry’s location on Resources Road and the Labour Ministry’s temporary facility on Northam Drive. The government-owned complex will consolidate operations in a single, modern laboratory and science hub intended to strengthen Ontario’s capacity to protect the environment, public health and workplace safety.
Key features include adaptable laboratories, science workshops and offices to support current operations and future growth. The facility is being designed to achieve at least LEED Silver certification and will incorporate shared equipment and co-location efficiencies to streamline workflows and improve emergency response readiness.
The project will be delivered through a Design-Build-Finance-Maintain (DBFM) model. The province says this approach will transfer significant risk to the private sector, improve cost and schedule certainty, encourage innovation and ensure long-term maintenance standards through a 30-year performance-based contract.
Companies interested in bidding must register through merx.com to download the RFQ.
