ACAN-Sepalamo Consulting Ltd.

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN) – ACAN-240905-001

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

VIA HFR – VIA TGF (VIA HFR) is bringing our lives and cities closer with a new fast, frequent, and reliable passenger train network. To meet the challenges of passenger rail transportation in the Québec City – Toronto corridor, VIA Rail proposed the High Frequency Rail project to the Government of Canada and in 2022, VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc. was created as a new wholly owned subsidiary operating at arm's length from VIA Rail to manage the development and delivery of HFR and act as a dedicated project office. This project will reimagine passenger rail service on modern, accessible trains and will include mainly new, electrified and dedicated tracks that extend over 1,000 km.

VIA HFR (HFR) has a requirement for the provision of extraordinary expertise on rail design, construction, operations project management and control processes as detailed below in section 2. The purpose of this ACAN is to signal HFR’s intention to award a contract for such services to Sepalamo Consulting Limited. Before awarding a contract, however, VIA HFR wants to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this ACAN, and are available to start September 27, 2024, by submitting a statement of capabilities during the fifteen (15) calendar day posting period.

If other potential suppliers submit statements of capabilities during the fifteen (15) calendar day posting period that meet the requirements set out in this ACAN, VIA HFR will proceed to a full tendering process on CanadaBuys, in order to award the contract.

If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that VIA HFR determines meets the requirements set out in this ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in this ACAN, VIA HFR may then proceed with the contract award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of Requirements

VIA HFR will be responsible for developing the largest infrastructure project in Canada in generations, and one of the largest infrastructure projects globally. Such projects, especially rail projects, have a well-documented history of cost overruns and schedule delays in Canada and around the world.

To mitigate risks of delays, cost overruns, sub-optimal decisions and activities being undertaken, VIA HFR must not only have strong traditional project management and control processes and systems in place, but it must also employ subject matter experts in fast, frequent rail involving a plethora of activities including in-depth knowledge and experience in the planning, design, construction, implementation of an electric rail system including tracks and stations.

To accomplish this, VIA HFR requires expert, senior advisory support that requires outstanding experience in rail design, construction, and operations, along with excellent analytical and collaboration abilities. The Special Advisor is accountable for ensuring the successful development of this project as it evolves.

As the Executive Sponsor of the Project Management Office (PMO), they will oversee the entire project lifecycle, collaborating closely with the Private Development Partner to align the strategic vision with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations. They will lead a team of Vice Presidents, allocate resources effectively, and drive innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize project performance. Additionally, they will need to cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, and community representatives, ensuring seamless collaboration and project success.

3. Mandatory Criteria for Assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

• MUST be a visionary and results-driven infrastructure leader with a proven track record in managing and delivering large-scale rail projects.

• MUST have extensive heavy rail experience, and a background in fast and/or frequent rail

• MUST have experience in working on heavy rail, fast and/or frequent rail projects, for a minimum of 18 months since 2021, to ensure current
industry experience and knowledge of market trends

• MUST have extensive experience providing challenge services on large scale rail projects globally.

• MUST have recent experience, since 2021, in working with Indigenous communities, on issues related to land, environmental and employment
opportunities

• MUST possess, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field, along with at least 25 years of
experience in the design and development of linear projects.

• MUST possess a proven track record in the delivery of strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and team leadership, demonstrating an
unwavering commitment to delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality.

• MUST be available to start on September 27, 2024

• MUST be available to deliver on-site services at HFR Headquarters in Montreal, Québec.

4. Trade Agreements

VIA HFR is required to comply with the following trade agreements:
• Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
• Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
• Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement.

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

An individual of proven extraordinary ability who is critical to the development of our nation's infrastructure and, in particular, the HFR Project for the Toronto-Quebec City corridor. Mr. Hampshire, of Sepalamo Consulting Ltd., is a nationally and internationally renowned rail expert who is acclaimed and respected throughout the UK. Europe, and the Americas for his expertise in developing and managing large rail infrastructure projects, and who has an outstanding track record for remarkable achievements in his career.

A chartered engineer for nearly 40 years, Mr. Hampshire has held several senior positions in major transportation and infrastructure organizations in the rail and aviation sectors around the world. As well as playing a key role with private and government organizations and national rail networks, his clients have included project developers, regulators and operators across the supply chain.

In the UK rail sector, Mr. Hampshire has over 20 years' experience in franchising and was Chairman of the Rail Delivery Group Reform Board. He was Business Development Director for Stagecoach plc, a UK rail and bus operator, and Franchise Director for the Strategic Rail Authority in the UK. He has worked in all areas of franchising having leased and managed most of the UK.network, either for the Strategic Rail Authority or for operators, leading bids for some 12 franchises and contracts, including both Virgin West Coast and East Coast operations.

Prior to joining the HFR Project, he was involved in projects throughout Europe, including the High Speed Line project in the Netherlands, Australia, Botswana and the United States. In Canada, he recently served as Consortium Director for the procurement of the Metrolinx OnCorr RER. He also played a leading role in the design of High Speed 1 in UK.

Mr. Hampshire has played a vital role in advancing the HFR project, specifically in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process launched in February 2023, and in qualifying three bidding teams on July 20, 2023, to respond to the Request for Proposals (RFP). The timely launch of the RFP in October 2023 was a significant milestone that will be ongoing until late summer 2024.Mr. Hampshire facilitated appropriate risk allocation and flexibility for Canada in the deal structure, a level playing field between bidders, nonprescriptive arrangements for safety and security and the involvement of Indigenous peoples in both the proposal development process and the evaluation process.

Mr. Hampshire possesses a unique experience in the development of modem intercity passenger rail projects, which is a capacity that cannot be found in Canada. Mr. Hampshire’s unique experience is invaluable to Canada and is pivotal to the upcoming selection of a private partner in 2024 to co-develop and optimize the HFR project.

Should VIA HFR receive a statement of capabilities from a supplier that contains sufficient information to indicate that it meets the requirements set forth in this ACAN, a competitive process will be triggered with a technical and financial evaluation methodology of the bids proposed by the potential bidders.

6. Exception to the Government Contracts Regulations

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection: (d) Only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

7. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Contractor to Own Intellectual Property Rights in Foreground Information.

8. Contract Period

The initial period of the resulting contract is from contract award to September 26, 2025, inclusive.
• Period 1: September 27, 2024, to September 26, 2025. It will be expected that the Special Advisor role becomes remote in early 2025.
• Option Period and beyond: five (5) additional one (1) year option years starting September 27, 2025.

9. Estimated Cost

The estimated potential maximum value of the contract may exceed $560,000 CAD, depending on the contract options exercised.

10. Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor
Sepalamo Consulting Limited
188 The Street, West Horsely, Surrey, United Kingdom

11. Suppliers’ right to submit a statement of capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing, preferably by e-mail, to the contact person identified in this ACAN on or before the closing date and time of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

12. Closing Date

The closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities is September 23, 2024, at 2 PM, Eastern Daylight Time.

13. Contract Authority
VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc.
Attention: Nancy St-Denis
Special Advisor, Procurement
soumissions-tenders@hfr-tgf.ca