Procurement

What is the Procurement Process?

Through the procurement process, the Government of Canada sought a private sector partner to take a collaborative approach for the engineering design and development of the project. This is intended to promote innovation, drive better service for passengers, reduce risk and improve risk management, and ultimately achieve better value for Canadians.

The Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) issued March 10, 2022, marked an important step forward for the Alto project. The RFEOI detailed Canada's goals for the project and sought feedback from experienced private-sector companies to help define the project and the procurement process.

The government issued an update to the RFEOI on October 31, 2022.

On February 17, 2023 the government issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The RFQ period closed April 24, 2023. On July 20, 2023, the Government of Canada qualified three bidding teams to respond to the Request for Proposals that was published on October 13, 2023. On February 19, 2025, the Government of Canada announced that Cadence was selected as the private-sector development partner.

The procurement process is distinct from the pre-consultation and solicitation of feedback from Indigenous Peoples, municipalities, communities and key stakeholders that the Alto Project Team is conducting ahead of the formal consultation process.

The Government of Canada and the Alto Project Team will continue to work with Indigenous Peoples to find ways to collaborate and develop the Alto project. Canada's intent is to create mutually beneficial socio-economic development and project participation opportunities.