Management Systems Auditor – Pipeline Integrity and Emergency Management

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Management Systems Auditor – Pipeline Integrity and Emergency Management

Trade Agreements: Yes
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Attachment: Yes (GETS)
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best overall Proposal
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirement: Professional Services
Estimated Cost of proposed Contract, including the options, approximately $230,000.00 CAD (applicable taxes excluded)
National Energy Board File No: RFP-13-0215
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH GETS.

The information contained in this notice is a brief description of the requirement and is for information purposes only. Bidders must refer to the complete Request for Proposal (RFP) document for a full description of the requirements and the full bid instructions.

Background:
The National Energy Board (NEB), an independent federal regulator, located in Calgary, Alberta, is a court of record, with the powers, rights and privileges of a superior court, established in 1959 by the National Energy Board Act. The mandate of the NEB is to promote safety and security, environmental protection and economic efficiency in the Canadian public interest, in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade.

The Board reports to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources. The Board regulates inter-provincial and international pipelines, international power lines, the export and import of energy, and tolls and tariffs, as well as oil and gas activities on frontier lands. The Board deals with highly visible, publicly debated matters of strategic importance to Canada and its economic, social and environmental future.

This contract will provide the Operation Business Unit with access to qualified auditors to complete the six audits that are required by the Parliament to be completed each fiscal year. The Board has an immediate need for a qualified contractor to assist with and conduct the audits of pipeline company integrity management programs. The contractor may also be required to conduct or assist on audits of company safety management, emergency management, environmental protection or damage prevention programs. The Contractor may be required to provide coaching/mentoring to NEB audits (as noted in the statement of work below).

Description:
The National Energy Board requires temporary professional services to provide the Operation Business Unit with access to qualified auditors to complete the six audits that are mandated by the Parliament to be completed each fiscal year. As such, a qualified contractor is needed to assist with the audits and provide coaching/mentoring to NEB audits.

The contract should achieve appropriate assessment of NEB regulated company management systems, in particular with respect to company pipeline integrity management systems. The contractor may also be required to assist or audit safety management, emergency management, environmental protection or damage prevention programs. The contract should provide the support as outlined in the statement of work.

Period of the Contract:
The term of the contract will be from the effective date of the contract to March 31, 2016.

Evaluation Methodology:
Bids will be evaluated in progressive stages:
- Phase 1: Mandatory Technical Requirements;
- Phase 2: Rated Technical Requirements;
- Phase 3: Financial Evaluation; and
- Phase 4: Determination of the Highest Ranked Bidder.

International Trade Agreements:
This procurement falls under the provisions of:
The North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), and the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCOFTA), and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), and the World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP).
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements:
This procurement is not subject to any Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements.

Submission of Bids:
It is requested that bids be provided directly to the Contracting Authority. Bids must be delivered to the following address, sealed, on or before March 31, 2014, 2:00 p.m. (Calgary time).
Mailing Address:
National Energy Board
Supply Management
444 Seventh Avenue SW.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0X8
Attn: Papa Thierno Ndiaye, Management Services

National Energy Board File No: RFP-13-0215

For sending packages by courier or for dropping off, please note that the Business Centre hours are Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (local time).
Bids received after the stipulated closing date and time will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the bidder. If a late bid must be opened to determine the name and/or address of the bidder or the nature of the enclosure, a covering letter will be sent to explain the necessity of opening the bid.

Faxed or bids sent via electronic mail will not be accepted.

All enquiries and other communication with the National Energy Board officials are to be directed ONLY to the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will be the bidder’s primary contact. All requests for information must be directed to this contact. Bidders who contact anyone other than the Contracting Authority may be disqualified. All enquiries must be submitted in writing to papathierno.ndiaye@neb-one.gc.ca no later than five (5) calendar days before the RFP closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

The National Energy Board retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.
Further information about the National Energy Board may be obtained at www.neb-one.gc.ca.