The Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) and Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) announced a standard agreement to help the province’s 444 municipalities practise a fair procurement process by outlining equitable, consistent terms and conditions for both clients and consulting engineers.

“The standard agreement is built on the principles of partnership and fairness,” said the provincial engineering group’s CEO Barry Steinberg. “It symbolizes a collaborative approach to creating a favourable business environment for both clients and consulting engineers.”

The consulting engineering sector is one of the few professional service providers allowing clients to prescribe the terms and conditions under which they offer their services. The two associations have been working together to review and update the 2006 version of the agreement, so municipalities can use a contract that is up-to-date with the present business landscape.

“This standard agreement will enable municipalities to be more efficient in doing business with consulting engineers,” said Reg Russwurm, president of MEA. “The template will allow smaller municipalities to save on the significant time and cost spent on creating a contract.”

To download the standard, click here.