The City of Brandon Procurement Services is transitioning to accepting only online bid submissions effective Tuesday, June 1, 2021.  Built in-house by the City of Brandon Innovation, Technology & Communications Department, purchasing.brandon.ca has been customized so bidders can easily submit online bids to the City of Brandon. The new online solution has been in place since July 2020 and has been the preferred option for bidders.  Bidders will find the new system easy to use, secure, and available 24/7. No longer will bidders have to be concerned with not submitting their bids on time to due to traffic, inclement weather, or expensive courier delivery fees. Another advantage with the online system is that bidders are only required to include one copy with their submission. Previously, up to six copies were required depending on the project.  Purchasing.brandon.ca also provides functionality for bidders to easily download bid opportunity documents. The online bid submission process, along with the addition of the email subscription service, aligns with the City of Brandon’s philosophy of integrating green procurement practices into day-to-day operations, as it reduces the need for physical paper printing, faxing and/or delivery.   Once a bidder submits their bid successfully, they will receive an email confirmation of delivery. A video showcasing the new solution can be found here or on the City of Brandon’s YouTube channel. This video includes a step-by-step tutorial on the submission and subscription processes.   “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of modernizing the bid submission process,” noted Procurement Manager Lindsay Loree. “In the first month of being in use, more than 90% of the bids received were via the online portal. With the tremendous response and positive feedback from bidders on ease of use, it made the decision easy to transition to online only.”   The function of Procurement Services is to obtain goods, services, and construction in the most cost-effective manner possible and to control the issue, usage, and disposal of these items on behalf of the City Council of Brandon, in the best interests of the citizens of Brandon. Bid documents are distributed online via the City of Brandon Purchasing & Tenders website.  General information about conducting business with City of Brandon Procurement Services can be found at Conducting Business with Procurement Services. 

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Between February 2020, and May 2021, the Brandon Police Service Organized Crime Section conducted Project BRAZEN, in collaboration with Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP D Division, and Manitoba Prosecution Service. The Organized Crime Unit is part of Brandon Police Service Crime Division Unit, and is responsible for investigating illicit activities including the trafficking of drugs. Project Brazen’s goal was to target a sophisticated and prolific group of individuals importing and selling cocaine and other drugs within the City of Brandon. On May 3, 2021, members of the Organized Crime Unit, assisted by members of BPS general patrol and support services executed search warrants to two residences in Brandon. The results of those searches was the seizure of approximately three kilograms of cocaine, an estimated street value of $300,000, and over $70,000 in cash. On May 18, 2021, BPS executed search warrants on five residences in Brandon. The results of those searches was the seizure of over one kilogram of cocaine, approximately $50,000 cash and numerous items believed to be the proceeds of crime. In total, eleven individuals have been arrested and have appeared in court on numerous offences including Trafficking Cocaine, Possess for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine, Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine, Possession of the Proceeds of Crime and Conspiracy to Possess the Proceeds of Crime. The following individuals have all appeared in court: Nanshak EMMANUEL (19)Jerimiah DAMBO (22)Jamiu SULAMAN (25)Jovaughn THOMAS (24)Romaine DALEY (24)Kalkidon ADIS (23)Khrystyna HOYDALO (23)Chad NEILSON (27)Tyler BAKER (26)Desmond HEAMAN (31)Tyvon COOPER (30) An arrest warrant for Trafficking Cocaine and numerous other offences is in effect for Rafael TOICHOA-FULFORD (26).

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 21, 2021 a business in the 900 blk 18th St N reported a guitar was stolen. On the morning of May 22, 2021 another business reported a suspect stole a package of cigarettes and a lighter. At approx. 6:15 pm the suspect was seen by police walking in the 300 blk Victoria Ave E with the stolen guitar on his back. He was stopped and arrested. He will appear in court this morning on charges of Theft Under $5000 X2, FTC with Undertaking

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 1:05 AM today, an officer was stopped at a red light on Princess Ave at 18th St, when his vehicle was rear-ended by a westbound vehicle. The 18-year-old female driver displayed signs of impaired and was arrested for impaired driving.  Officers observed four additional passengers in the vehicle who were all intoxicated and had open liquor. The female driver provided two samples of her breath with readings in excess of the legal limit.  She has been charged with impaired driving and drive over .08 as well as unauthorized transportation of liquor.  She will appear in court on August 12.  The estimated speed of the suspect vehicle at the time of collision was between 20 – 30 km/h.  There were no injuries to any of the occupants of either vehicle.  

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 18, 2021, shortly after 6:00 am, police came across a male in the 400 block of 11th street, who was wanted on outstanding charges.  The male fled on foot in an attempt to evade police, and threw a backpack into a residential yard in the process. The 24-year-old male was apprehended and arrested in the 400 block of 8th street.  Police discovered a loaded Cooey 12 gauge sawed off shotgun with the serial number ground off in the backpack he discarded.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and appeared in court yesterday on numerous firearm related offences: Carry a Concealed Weapon, Unauthorized Possession Prohibited/Restricted Weapon Possession of Firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammo, Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime, Firearm: Tampering with a Serial Number Possession of a firearm or ammunition, Contrary to a Prohibition Order, Fail to Comply with a Release Order X 2, Fail to Comply with Probation Order.