In 2012, seven groups of partners indicated an interest in bidding on the system.[5]
In February, GrandLinq and two other groups, Tricity Transit System and Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Transit Partners, were chosen as those which would be invited to submit proposals. In June the formal request for proposal was issued, and the three groups had until December to complete their bids.
In March 2014, GrandLinq was identified as the preferred bidder in the staff report on the final bids, and approved by the Region's Planning and Works committee. Regional Council gave final approval on March 19, with financial close being made May 9.[6]
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Keith Barrow (2013-12-18). "Three bidders vie for Waterloo LRT contract". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-18. THREE consortia have submitted bids to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, for the $C 536m ($US 505m) PPP contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the city's first light rail line.
^Charlotte Prong Parkhill (2013-02-27). "Region narrows down LRT consortiums". Waterloo Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-18. The three finalists were selected from seven consortiums that submitted their qualifications in November 2012. They operate under the names GrandLinq, Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Transit Partners and TriCity Transit System. Each group consists of several companies, including engineering, construction and finance firms.
^"Progress continues on ION, the Region of Waterloo's rapid transit service". Exchange magazine. 2013-06-06. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-18. The three shortlisted teams – GrandLinq, Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Transit Partners, and Tricity Transit System -- will have approximately six months to prepare and submit their proposals. The short-listed teams are comprised of some of the most experienced companies building transit infrastructure in Canada.