An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the competitive requirements of the government’s contracting policy have been met. Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their statement of capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the Treasury Boards electronic bidding authorities. However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

1. Project Objectives

The Contractor will provide reception and interpretation services at the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse NHS in keeping with Parks Canada's commitment:

• To protect, as a priority, the natural and cultural heritage of these special places and ensure their integrity.
• To present the beauty and significance of our natural world and to chronicle the human determination and ingenuity that have shaped Canada.
• To commemorate the invaluable legacy of visionary Canadians whose passion and knowledge have inspired the character and values of our country.
• To serve Canadians, working together to achieve excellence guided by values of competence, respect, and fairness.

2. Description of the Work

2.1 Interpretation Service

In keeping with the themes and objectives of the Parks Canada Agency for the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, the Contractor will provide an interpretation service for the public addressing the following primary and secondary themes:

• The lighthouses and foghorns of Pointe-au-Père (primary theme)
• Pointe-au-Père, a navigation aid centre on the St. Lawrence Rivet (secondary theme)

2.2 Reception Service

As site manager, the Director of the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse NHS is responsible for receiving the public (visitors and others). However, the Contractor is responsible for welcoming the public at the point of entry in accordance with Parks Canada service standards.

a. Welcome

Greet the public in both official languages

Extend an enthusiastic, courteous, and sincere welcome

b. Assess

Anticipate, understand, and meet expectations and needs

c. Interact

Efficiently transmit accurate, precise, and up-to-date information

Provide personalized service that fosters stimulating and unique experiences

Convey our passion by sharing compelling stories

d. Complete

Gather, take into account, and proactively follow up on comments. The Contractor will ensure equal access for all to the programs and activities offered.

3.Security

The Contractor and its staff will be required to meet security requirements for this contract.

4.Minimum Requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:

• Experience:
• At least 10 years of experience in the past 15 years managing a tourism business or organization with 15,000 or more visitors a year
• At least 10 years of experience in the past 15 years in visitor reception and in the development and delivery of a historical interpretation program for visitors
• The supplier must have the equipment required to manage visitor reception (information point), control admission (cash register), and produce traffic statistics.

The supplier must be capable of providing customer service in both official languages of Canada.

5.Contract Period 

The contract period will be from June 10, 2017, to February 2, 2018, with two one-year option periods under the same conditions. Please note that the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site operates from June 10, 2017, to October 9, 2017.

6. Exemption to the Government Contract Regulations

Part 1, Section 6(d) of the Government Contract Regulations is being invoked in this procurement as only one known person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

7. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s):

1. Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
2. World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP)
3. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

8.Name and Address of Proposed Contractor

Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

Rimouski QC

9. Closing Date and time for Submission of statements of capabilities: Submissions must be received on or before March 29, 2017, at 2 p.m. (EDT).

Please submit by BID FAX: 1-877-558-2349

10. Submission of 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 to the Contracting Officer identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements. Statement of capabilities received after the mentioned delay will not be considered.

The Agency File Number, the Contracting officer’s name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope or, in the case of a facsimile transmission, on the covering page.

Responses received on or before the closing date will be considered solely for the purpose of deciding whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Information provided will be used by the Crown for technical evaluation purposes only and will not be construed as a proposal. Your written response must provide sufficient evidence that clearly demonstrates that your service is capable of fulfilling this requirement.

Suppliers that have submitted a response will be notified in writing of the Agency’s decision whether to continue with the aforementioned procurement or to complete the requirement.

11. Inquiries (in writing please)

Céline Morin
Advisor
National Contracting Services
Parks Canada Agency
111 Water Street East

Cornwall ON K6H 6S3
Telephone 613-938-5940
Facsimile 866-246-6893

celine.morin@pc.gc.ca