When the Government of Canada announced the Federal Infrastructure Investments Program (FIIP) in November 2014, it included $452 million for the renewal of Department of National Defence (DND) infrastructure over the next two fiscal years―directed toward airfield and hangar repairs, military housing improvements, armoury rehabilitation, and projects such as fire suppression systems.
“DCC and DND recognized immediately that this was well above a normal yearly program, on top of our annual workload, and that we would have to put a significant amount of effort into coordinating it,” says Grant Sayers, DCC’s Regional Director, Western Region. “This was a top priority for DCC, to showcase our ability to stay flexible for our Client-Partners.”
DCC’s efforts were highlighted in June 2018, when the Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) awarded a Certificate of Recognition for DCC’s significant contribution to successful delivery, encompassing some $425 million of DND’s FIIP funding.
“Pretty much the entire company came together to find new approaches and innovative ways to deliver projects quickly and effectively at almost all of our sites,” notes Sayers, who led DCC’s FIIP program management, supported by overall program coordinator David Sherrard and Vice-President, Operations Daniel Benjamin (both now retired), and a large number of other DCC personnel across the country.
This included creating new teams and building capacity to deliver DND’s additional contracting and contract management requirements—while maintaining service quality and without increasing program delivery costs.
“The kudos need to go to all of the employees, who came together and delivered a fantastic service for DND,” says Sayers. “This was an incredible partnership between DCC and DND, and an incredible collaboration result within DCC.”