Cooperation on farmed and wild fish interaction in Canada and the United States under the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) initiative.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Solicitation # : F5211-160063

Closing Date : December 22, 2015

Closing Time : 2:00 PM (Atlantic Standard Time)

This requirement is for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

Title: Cooperation on farmed and wild fish interaction in Canada and the United States under the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) initiative.

OBJECTIVES OF THE REQUIREMENT

To help identify similarities and differences in management approaches, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States Department of Commerce to assess the approaches taken to address farmed and wild fish interactions, particularly as they relate to genetic interactions and pathogens in both Canada and the United States.

BACKGROUND

In February 2011, Canada and the United States launched the RCC to better align regulatory systems between the two countries, where appropriate, to enhance economic growth, competitiveness and job creation, while maintaining national sovereignty and high levels of protection for health, safety and environment.

The initial Joint Action Plan was launched in December 2011, and it provided an opportunity to enhance Canada-United States regulatory cooperation through the identification of specific regulatory issues and challenges that departments and agencies on both sides of the border would work together to resolve or improve.

The new Joint Forward Plan (http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/08/29/canada-united-states-regulatory-cooperation-council-joint-forward-plan) launched in August 2014 includes a commitment by DFO and NOAA to undertake greater cooperation in environmental management of the aquaculture sector and identify potential areas for regulatory cooperation.

Under the Canada-United States RCC, DFO and NOAA have established a partnership to implement a deeper collaborative relationship and to advance regulatory cooperation for the aquaculture sector, with the aim of reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers and enhancing trade in aquaculture products between the two countries.

Aquaculture Regulatory Partnership Statement:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/management-gestion/statement-declaration-eng.htm

Aquaculture Technical Work Plan:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/management-gestion/reg-coop-eng.htm

PERIOD OF CONTRACT

The period of the Contract is from date of Contract to March 31, 2016 inclusive.

SECURITY

The Contractor/Offeror must, at all times during the performance of the Contract/Standing Offer/Supply Arrangement, hold a valid Facility Security Clearance at the level of RELIABILTY STATUS, issued by the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate (CISD), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has determined that any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of the Work under the resulting contract will belong to Canada, on the following grounds: where material developed or produced consists of material subject to copyright, with the exception of computer software and all documentation pertaining to that software.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the mandatory evaluation criteria as detailed herein. Bidders’ Proposals must clearly demonstrate that they meet all Mandatory Requirements for the proposal to be considered for further evaluation. Proposals not meeting the mandatory criteria will be excluded from further consideration.

Mandatory Criteria

M1 The Contractor must provide comprehensive résumé/curriculum vitae for the proposed resource(s).

M2 The Bidder must provide proof that the proposed resource(s) possess a degree from a recognized university in a field related to biology, natural resources, aquaculture or fisheries.

M3 The Bidder’s proposed resource must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in research and analysis in biology, natural resources, aquaculture or fisheries.

M4 The Bidder must have completed two projects in the field of the regulatory systems in Canada or the United States.

M5 By the close of the bid, the Bidder and its proposed resource(s) must have at least, Reliability Status level of security clearance as required by Public Works and Government Services Canada.

SELECTION METHOD

Basis of Selection – Highest Rated Within Budget

Enquiries regarding this RFP requirement are to be submitted in writing to the following:

Emmanuelle Porter

A/Senior Contracting Office

Materiel and Procurement Services

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

301 Bishop Drive

Fredericton (NB) E3C 2M6

Telephone : (506) 452-3518

Email : DFOtenders-soumissionsMPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca