Development of a National Pilotage Certification Program

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities.

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 Board electronic bidding authorities.

If other potential suppliers submit statements of capabilities during the fifteen calendar days posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department or agency must proceed to a full tendering process on either the government’s electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

1. Definition of Requirements

In Canada there is several pilotage areas where it is compulsory for a vessel to be conducted by a licensed pilot. Currently, Canada’s four Pilotage Authorities (Laurentian Pilotage Authority, Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, Atlantic Pilotage Authority, and Pacific Pilotage Authority) are responsible for the requirements, the examinations, the issuance and the renewal of pilotage certificates. As this work is currently undertaken on a regional basis, there is no national consistency in how Pilotage Authorities are requiring or issuing pilotage certificates.

Transport Canada is currently in the process of repealing Pilotage Regulations and drafting new regulations under the amended Pilotage Act. The authority to issue pilotage certificates will reside with the Minister of Transport, rather than with the Pilotages Authorities themselves. The Department aims to eliminate existing inconstancies in terms of the administration of pilotage certificates and create dependable, consistent regulatory practices.

The role of Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) is to maintain and enhance marine safety and work to protect life, health, property and the marine environment. This includes providing services that are mandated by Acts and Regulations.

Taking into consideration, the intent of TCMSS is to develop a National Pilotage Certification Program to assure uniformity in terms of requirement and specifications for applicants seeking a Pilotage Certificate.

1. Criteria for Assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

Transport Canada requires someone with a combination of significant and recent experience managing/supervising in the Pilotage domain as well as having a marine certificate of competency and experience managing/leading a National Training Program:

1. Possession of a Master Mariner Certificate
2. Experience in the role of Captain of a vessel
3. In-depth knowledge and experience with applying the following regulations in a training and certification environment:
   1. Pilotage Act,
   2. Pilotage Regulations, v
   3. Pilotage Authority Regulations,
   4. Marine Personnel Regulations,
   5. Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
4. Extensive Experience in drafting regulations.
5. Extensive experience managing/leading a National Training Program
6. To have extensive experience in contributing to the development and oversight of a regional Pilotage Certification Program.
7. Extensive experience in implementing, managing, approving and auditing a regional Pilotage Authority Certificate Training Program.
8. Familiar with the review of applicant files and compliance for a pilotage certificate.
9. Familiar with examinations for pilotage licences and certificates
10. Expert liaising with the marine industry on all pilotage operational aspects; including the legislation, regulations and procedures that govern the pilotage authorities.
11. Understanding the challenges that will be encountered by the marine industry and the four pilotage authorities with the implementation of a National Pilotage Certification Program.
12. Experience in supervision, planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
13. Experience as Lead Auditor.
14. Strong ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations.

*Experience is defined as a period of two years or greater

**Extensive experience is defined as a period of five years or greater.

1. Trade Agreements

   Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

   Canada–Chile Free Trade Agreement

   Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

   Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement

   Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

   Canada–Honduras Free Trade Agreement

   Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement

   Canada–Panama Free Trade Agreement

   Canada–Peru Free Trade Agreement

   Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA)

   Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement

   World Trade Organization–Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-GPA)

2. Justification for Pre-Identified Supplier

Only One Person or Entity Capable of Performing the Contract.

1. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

Absence of competition for technical reasons.

1. Contract Period

The proposed contract period will be from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024.

1. Estimated Cost

The estimated maximum value of the proposed contract is $248,900.00 CAD including applicable taxes.

1.  Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

Capitaine Diane Couture

1. 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 Notice 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.

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 is not to be construed as a competitive solicitation. Your written response must provide sufficient evidence (e.g. specifications, technical data, drawings, or any other proof) that clearly demonstrates that your product or service is capable of fulfilling this requirement.

Suppliers that have submitted a response will be notified in writing of TC’s decision to continue with the non-competitive procurement or to compete for the requirement

1. Closing Date

The closing date for a submission of a Statement of Capabilities is March 17, 2022

at 2 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

1. Contact

   Trevor Hardman

   Procurement Specialist

   Ph: 431 335-3874

   Email: trevor.hardman@tc.gc.ca