This project is an innovative and valuable solution situated in Inuvik, North West
Territories. It offers an alternative, secure, transportable facility, that is ideal for
less populated, remote areas that can be found up north.

Intent

• For many years, discussions were circulating within the RCMP concerning the need for Transportable Detention Unit that will satisfy the RCMP Security Standards. Two design options were considered; Rigid Steel Frame Trailer Design – construction with steel framing members to support sub-surfaces and finishes. Ready–to-move (RTM) Construction on Steel support beams, mounted onsite on rigid spaceframe multi-point foundation platform on jacks and ‘swamp pad’ footings for multi-unit deployments.
• The design for the cells needed to meet the RCMP Fit-Up standards, to be easily transported to a wide variety of locations in Canada by various means, and be easily deployed with the available resources in many remote communities. Several Transportable Cell and MobileCommand Units have been constructed, and deployed, in Northern communities NWT, Inuvik, and Saskatchewan.
• Interchangeable Unitary Design – The agreed preferred design is a configuration for temporary facilities based on a system of individual units that could operate independent of each other and could be configured into assemblies that would provide the RCMP with the most flexibility and consistency when dealing with short, medium and long term installations.
• Scope of services: Feasibility, Planning, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Tender and Contract Administration

Design Philosophy & Approach

• Durability – Cost / Value considerations dictate particular attention to durable construction; The units were designed with an anticipated service life of 20 to 30 years and likely with 10 deployments during that time. In reference to durability, the most significant consideration will be surviving transportation of the units to site.
• Transportability – Each module should not exceed 12ft in width, 16ft in height off the road surface, or approximately 50ft in length. These sizes would permit transporting on All-Weather Roads, Ice Roads, and Barges in most situations as well as some Rail corridors.

Challenges & Resolutions

• The primary challenge was the design of a detention facility meeting the Fit-up standards that could be easily transported and used for multiple deployments in a wide variety of areas across Canada with a variety of transportation and infrastructure needs.
• This was a unique project not undertaken by any other policing or security force in North America. The project is the first of its kind and has received interest from DND and CBSA.
• RCMP Fit-Up Standards had to be reviewed to ensure that the operational risks behind the Fit-Up standards continued to be managed when strict compliance with the standard was not possible. For example, the cells could not meet the required ceiling height. The associated risks were mitigated by eliminating the bunks.
• Similarly, the cells could not be sprinklered in all locations, therefore additional measures were taken to ensure fire separations, flame spread ratings, and fire separations between the units were designed to exceed the requirements.
• It was anticipated that specialized equipment or technician availability would be problematic as deployments would primarily be to remote communities.
• Worked closely with RCMP Facilities Management, HRSDC, Departmental Security, PTSS and Security Engineering to achieve an innovative and ground breaking solution
• In depth understanding of the fit-up standards and the performance intents was required to find solutions that would meet the functional requirements with minor variance to the strict standard.

Budget Control & Management

• Innovative Solutions were sought with budget and functionality as the driving priorities.
• Design Estimate: Base Unit: $391,630, Master Unit: $376,912
• Contract Price: Base Unit: $405,000, Master Unit: $ 390,000
• Base Unit Change Orders: $46,755.20, Master Unit Change Orders: $45,417.76
• Variance in the Budget was managed by ensuring that any changes proposed by
  the manufacturer were value added for improving functionality, durability, transportability and
  ease of setup.

Schedule

• Construction Tender initially intended for January 2011, however as a prototype project, there were significant changes to the scope and functional requirements during design. Tender sent to RCMP August 2011, tender published November 2011. First units completed May 2012.
• Variance in schedule was managed with RCMP input, ensuring that schedule implications, decisions to recalibrating the scope, and functional requirements were understood and incorporated value for money, improving functionality, durability, transportability and ease of set- up.
• RFP Awarded: August 2010 | Tender: September 2011 | Substantial: June 2012