SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Two former Deh Cho Bridge Corporation officials who ordered two sets of steel pontoons, for personal use, from a subsidiary to the company bidding on the bridge project in 2007 said there was no impropriety in their actions.

Jivko Jivkov was chief engineer of the Deh Cho Bridge Corp in 2007 when two sets of pontoons for personal used were ordered. - Taylor Lambert/NNSL photo

"This has nothing to do with Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and nothing to do with the bridge itself," said former chief engineer Jivko Jivkov.

Jivkov and former project manager Andrew Gamble contracted ATCON Industrial Services to build the custom pontoons for houseboats. At the time, parent company ATCON Construction was bidding for the bridge construction contract.

The territorial government eventually awarded ATCON the contract, until the GNWT took over full responsibility for the bridge this year, resulting in Gamble and Jivkov losing their jobs with the bridge corporation. ATCON was removed as general contractor in January by the territorial government.

Jivkov said ATCON Industrial Services offered a "competitive" price to build the pontoons.

"I don't think it was inappropriate," he said.

Jivkov said he asked ATCON Industrial Services if it would be able to build him a pontoon. He preferred to order two sets to save on shipping costs, and suggested the idea to Gamble.

"It was my way, from a personal perspective, to see how these people do," said Jivkov. "It's mostly a trial on efficiency and whether they will stick to their timeline."

Originally, ATCON Industrial had offered Jivko a price of $23,000 for each set, not including shipping. In the end, the pontoons were delayed and the price was increased to around $30,000 - in the range of other steel suppliers' quotes, said Jivkov.

Both Jivkov and Gamble suggested the quoted price was low because of higher unemployment in New Brunswick, where ATCON Industrial is located.

"We asked for market price," said Gamble. "I'm confident that's the price they would have given you."

Jivkov emphasized ATCON Construction was the primary company involved in the bidding process for the Deh Cho Bridge, while ATCON Industrial was simply involved in technical planning. He added the officials of the corporation were not permitted to speak separately with ATCON Industrial regarding the bridge project.

"These people were not involved by any means in the bidding process," said Jivkov.

Jivkov later sold his pontoons for $45,000, but said he made less than $1,000 profit after installing insulation and decking. Gamble is currently building a houseboat on his pontoons, which are in Yellowknife Bay.

"I have a clear conscience," said Gamble, adding he didn't have a timeline for completion of his houseboat.

"There's no hurry."

The Deh Cho Bridge's cost estimates have risen to $182 million from ATCON's promised $132 million. It is scheduled to be completed in November 2011.

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