A local business is questioning the city's decision to award a contract to an out-of-town firm.
Spotless Uniform and Linen Service president Shaun Heighington learned Tuesday that Canadian Linen, an American-owned company with a facility in Burnaby, will supply and clean coveralls and mats to the city starting next month.
It won the contract with a low bid of $50,000 per year for three years, with an option to extend the deal for two additional one-year terms. Heighington said his bid was in the $70,000 range but added there's more to consider.
"All else considered and out of the equation, it's only 20 grand a year," Heighington said. "Why wouldn't they keep it with a local company that provides jobs? And that money goes directly back into the community.
"This way, they're going to pick Canadian Linen and Canadian Linen is based in Burnaby, so not a penny of that is spent here. Not only that, it's an American corporation."
He said at least two full-time decent-paying positions at Spotless and possibly three are now in jeopardy. In contrast, he said Canadian Linen's presence in the city amounts to one salesperson.
City spokesman Rob Van Adrichem said in an e-mail the city is subject to domestic trade agreements that prevent it from awarding contracts based on local preference.
"Providing non-discriminatory access includes treating the services of vendors from other locations no less favourably than local vendors," Van Adrichem said.
There are some services where the obligation does not apply, "but no exemption was found to apply to this particular contract," he added.
Heighington said he understands that but wants more information on how the choice was made and is waiting to get the scores as assigned to each of the criteria in the request for proposals.
The RFPs are based on a total score of 250 points with service level objectives accounting for 120 points, fee structure for 70 points, capability 30 points, historical performance 20 points and compliance 10 points.
Van Adrichem said each of the bidders has been offered a chance get a debrief from city staff who will provide the scores and comments on the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals.
He said the city will not make the scores public.
In all, three businesses submitted tenders for the latest request for proposals, which was advertised in The Citizen and posted on the BC Bid website.
Heighington said Spotless had been providing the service for 15 years. Under the previous contract, which began in January 2011, the city paid Spotless about $115,000 per year for the work.
Heighington said honouring the contract amounted to plenty of effort adding up to "multiple requests every day," and questioned whether Canadian Linen can do as good a job.
"We're so proud of providing this service to the city, it's not just another account for us," Heighington said.
- with files from Samantha Wright-Allen
