FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

CCD is for you,

• The manufacturers (distributors, manufacturing agents or product sales personnel) who use CCD to ensure products are duly specified by corresponding professionals (architects and engineers), or to target owners or General Contractors; allowing them to buy directly in lieu of waiting for a call for tenders.

  We are talking about industrial equipment, automation and controls, materials, various products, electrical, plumbing, sound proofing equipment and supplies, fire prevention, security, robotics, hydraulic systems, kitchen cabinets, cabling, structural systems, chemical products, HVAC, isolation, conveyors, electric motors, computer equipment, office supplies, scaffolding, environmental products, park equipment, hospital products, heating, pumps, doors and windows, telecommunications, roofing, generators, etc.

• The sub-contractor (or specialized tradesmen) who use CCD to contact owners, architects, engineers or general contractors, to obtain detailed information pertaining to a given project or to plan ahead, excavation, foundation, steel structure, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, flooring, roofing, concrete sub-contractors, only to name a few, will be able to expand their respective networks of important contacts.

• The general contractors who use CCD to locate and reach owners, promoters, architects or engineers preparing new estimates and drawings, to obtain update details and prepare ahead of their competition, leaving them far behind; those looking to be invited to bid before their counterparts by developing their own, privileged contact list.

• The service companies who use CCD to reach new owners or tenants with whom to develop new businesses opportunities, (ie.: movers, insurance salespeople, advertisers, printers, phone and computer systems, health and security, management, interior design and landscaping, accounting and legal services, etc.), insurance companies for security bonds, financial institutions for market studies or financial planning, building managers to manage tenants, commercial real estate or industrial condos sales reps/agents, etc.

• The professionals (or consultants) who use CCD to reach new owners or project promoters who are still involved in the study and planning stage, searching for investors, etc., at a time when their expertise will be welcomed in professional consultations designed to help make the project (architecture, engineering, ground studies, evaluations, surveys, design, project management, economics – market studies, etc.) a reality.

CCD publishes reports (construction, modernization or major supplies) in Canada before they are initiated.

CCD’s goal is to provide you with the lead just as soon as we learn of the project’s existence, irrespective of the stage it might be in, at the time. For this reason, we may initially present a project to you when in the Pre-Study or Underway stage. You will therefore see projects you are already aware of, as well as some very select and confidential projects.

Our efforts are directed at searching for new projects, as opposed to updating previously published ones. On average, we publish from 400 to 600 projects per month, per province. Of these, only 20% represent updates while the others are generally considered to be new projects.

We invest extra effort into project research, particularly where the corresponding project information is generally considered confidential; i.e.: private and industrial projects.

We do our utmost to obtain as much information as possible on projects, well in advance of a call for tenders.

Most projects are global in nature; not divided into bite-sized lots (ex: electricity, roofing…), thereby increasing the overall value of each project.

A few statistics:

There are three main types of projects, each dependant on their own distinctive development stages, and identified as: public projects, private projects and promoted private projects. The stages for each are:

• Initiator conceives project – commonly known as the idea/concept stage.

• This is often referred to as a study stage.
• The initiator then hires a professional (internally or externally) to produce preliminary studies. These professionals are usually selected through the use of a bidding process for professional services.
• The initiator negotiates the financing, zoning, and other related details. Financing is negotiated before or after the completion of the estimate and quote process (before the bidding process begins).
• At any time, the initiator may hire a coordinator (internally or through an outside source) to help plan and manage the project.

• Initiator hires a professional to produce the drawings. Most of the time he (she) will be the same one who worked on the preliminary studies to prepare the estimates and quotes, though the initiator can choose to issue a new bid for professional services. Usually, the professionals mandated by the initiator will be involved for the duration of the project. In the case of a performance bid, the professionals will retire after the estimate and quote portion of the project; their role being to sell the estimates and quotes to the initiator, who assumes responsibility for the application of the bid to the site.

• Initiator issues a call for tenders to general contractors. A professional may occasionally issue a call for tenders on behalf of the initiator. The general contractor may also be the construction manager, but these can constitute separate job descriptions.
• During the bidding process, a site visit will often be made, in addition to the determination of a closing date.
• One of the bidding contractors will produce the lowest bid of the lot; making them the acknowledged Lowest bidder.
• If the general contractors are certified, they will sign a contract with the initiator.

• Contract has been signed between the general contractor and the initiator, though the actual project has not yet been launched.

• Construction was launched as of a given date.
• Sometimes, additional calls for tenders are issued for sub-contractors (trades). These new calls for tenders may be issued by the initiator or the general contractor.

In certain cases, the approach for these is the same as above, though not typically. In these cases, a call for tenders is issued by invitation only to general contractors, pre-selected by the initiator. Sub-contractors are also usually selected by the initiator. The public bidding process for professional services and open bidding for general contractors are usually suppressed. The initiator usually selects the consultants, the general contractor and sub-contractors.

This type of project is common in the residential marketplace (condos, large residential complexes or hotel chains). In most instances, the initiator assumes the role of general contractor or promoter, and is referred to as the initiator/contractor or the initiator/promoter. A call for tenders is usually not issued, with perhaps the exception of sub-contractors, and these are usually selected by the initiator/contractor. The initiator/contractor adheres to his schedule for the actual construction.

Projects may be presented at any evolutionary stage of development, whether pre-study or underway. We strive to publish them the moment we learn of their existence. As previously mentioned, CCD’s objective is to supply the lead as soon as we learn of the project; at whatever stage of completion it then is in. A project can therefore appear on our lists anywhere from the Pre-Study to the Underway stages. You’ll find projects you were already aware of, some that are sought-after or that have been kept confidential.

There is no standard answer to this question. Some projects take years to launch, whereas others are completed the same year. It depends on the initiator, available funding and/or the general economic climate.

Information made available is detailed in the Products and Services section.

CCD’s objective is to rapidly inform you about a maximum number of projects. Our team focuses on searching for new projects rather than extensively researching updates. Information for updates is randomly gathered, so you shouldn’t wait for a project to reach the call for tenders stage to contact the initiator of a project. As a matter of fact, projects could show up on our lists in the planning stage only, or in the planning stage, and then as being underway.

This philosophy allows us to inform you on many new projects.

No. Please refer to the previous question/answer.

Stages of project completion are listed to promote general appreciation of projects. The "Invitaion to Tender" stage mainly addresses contractors; usually the general contractors, unless said project relates to a specific trade (electricity for example). Tenders for professional services are categorized as being in the "Planning" stage. If the project is open to receiving tenders for professional services, relative dates will be displayed in the "Closing Date" field.

Projects will be categorized wherever possible, even if the actual amount is not available. Then, the following information will be entered (APPROXIMATIONS ONLY):

Yes, project filtering can be customized - that's one of our key features.

Yes.

Yes. If projects are important to you, they may be placed in your favorites folder. Once listed as one of your favorites and your e-mail feature has been activated, you will be notified by e-mail of any updates to that project. For example, when the launch date of a project is changed, or when new companies join the project.

Yes, based on preselected regions in the system.

Yes. However, this option is only available with the Excel/CRM export add-in.

Yes, of course. Please contact a representative at 1-866-677-3243 and it will be his/her pleasure to serve you.

Yes, of course. Please contact a representative at 1-866-677-3243 and it will be his/her pleasure to serve you.

Yes. Visit the Free Trial page for more information.

Visit the Pricing & Subscriptions page for more information.