Kobayashi and Zedda Architects could be awarded one of the first contracts from what could become the largest capital project for this term of council.

City staff are recommending council award the building consolidation contract to the Whitehorse firm for $247,500.

The project is set to look at sustainability targets and make recommendations on where the proposed building would go, as well as its layout.

A business plan will also be part of the project summarizing and incorporating the first part of the project into a "cost/benefit perspective with (an) ultimate goal to provide an exceptional functional program while maximizing energy and sustainability opportunities and minimizing capital, energy and maintenance costs over the life of the facility,” it's noted in a report presented to council Monday night by Dave Muir. He's the city's acting director of infrastructure and operation.

The overall project will likely be the biggest one of this council's term, Muir said when questioned by Coun. Dave Stockdale.

Kobayashi and Zedda was one of three firms to submit a proposal on the project by the closing date of Jan. 31. The others are Stantec Architecture and Urban Arts Architecture.

Kobayashi and Zedda received the highest evaluation of the three, with the highest rank in all categories considered except fees.

Of a possible 10 points in value, Kobayashi and Zedda actually came out lowest, with 8.9 for their $247,500 proposal.

Stantec received the full 10 points for having the lowest cost at $232,026, while Urban Arts came away with 9.6 points for their $238,075 proposal.

The fees are only opened after all the proposals have been opened and passed the technical threshold which considers project team, approach and methodology, past relevant experience and schedule.

Both project team and the methodology each have a possible 30 points.

Ketza took 26.7 on project team with Stantec less than a point off that, at 26.4. Urban Arts had 25.1.

"Although all proposals included very strong project teams, the KZA proposal in particular showed great skills in the areas of sustainability; functional programming and ability to produce a comprehensive business case analysis,” it's noted in a report to council.

KZA was a full three points ahead in the methodology category with 26.2 points compared to Urban Arts' 23.4 and Stantec's 23.

"The proposal submitted by KZA was superior in that it demonstrated a clear understanding of the intents of the project and the importance of the project to the city,” the report states. "KZA also presented creativity and innovation to their approach and demonstrated the ability to ‘think out of box.' Although public consultation was identified in the other proposal submissions, KZA laid out a better and more defined process to ensure productive interactions with Whitehorse residents and with city staff.”

Points for past relevant experience were closer between the three, with KZA getting 18 out of a possible 20, Urban Arts getting 16.6 and Stantec receiving 16.5.

Although all three had significant experience in sustainability, functional programming and business case development, KZA demonstrated the best experience and understanding in the Whitehorse setting.

KZA went on to get a full five points on schedule compared to 4.5 for Urban Arts and 4.3 for Stantec.

"Although all submissions met the project deadlines the KZA schedule was laid out in a very well presented and logical format that included all project team members and milestones including specific tasks and deliverables,” it's noted.

A further full five points were also awarded to KZA for local content for having a local office and predominantly local staff involved in the project. It is noted, though, that all the submissions have some Outside assistance.

Stantec received 3.8 points for their local content, with Urban Arts getting 1.3.

In total, KZA came away with 89.8 points, Stantec 84 and Urban Arts 80.5.

Council will vote next week on the contract award.

Coun. John Streicker was absent from Monday's meeting.