Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS)

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
CONTRACTED AIRBORNE TRAINING SERVICES (CATS) PROJECT
W636A-09-CATS/H

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS 
In order to ensure a successful re-procurement for the provision
of Contracted Airborne Training Services, industry shall be
engaged in a consultative process as the first step in this
solicitation.  The consultation process includes an "Industry
Engagement Session" followed by one-on-one "Industry Meetings"
and "Working Group Meetings ". 

The Industry Engagement Session is scheduled for March 21, 2012
from 9am to 4pm (if required) at 111 Sussex Drive, La Promenade
Room, Ottawa, Ontario.  

Industry Meetings will be scheduled for March 22, 2012, at 111
Sussex Drive, La Promenade Room, Ottawa, Ontario, and for March
23, 2012, at 1 Nicholas Street, 4th floor Boardroom, Ottawa,
Ontario.  

Working Group Meetings are anticipated to be scheduled from
April until June 2012, if required.  

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS

Industry is requested to provide comments and recommendations to
the PWGSC Contracting Authority on the Draft Rules of Engagement
and Dispute Resolution Process by March 12, 2012.  The Draft
Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process will be
discussed and finalized at the Engagement Session.

To participate in Industry Meetings, Working Group Meetings and
a review of the final DRAFT RFP Industry must sign and agree to
the Industry Engagement Rules of Engagement and Dispute
Resolution Process. 

Also, in order to facilitate the one-on-one meetings Industry is
encouraged to provide written comments and recommendations on
the proposed topics for discussion as well as any additional
topics Industry may wish to discuss.

All Industry consultations will be documented and this
information is subject to the Access to Information Act. Canada
shall not reveal any designated proprietary information to third
parties.

Industry Engagement Session:
The purpose of the Industry Engagement Session is to provide
Industry and other interested parties " participants" with
general information on the CATS procurement project, the
consultative process, finalize the Draft Rules of Engagement and
obtain industry comments on the consultative process timeline. 

One-on-One Industry Meetings:
Following sign off by Industry of the Rules of Engagement and
Dispute Resolution Process Canada will meet with Industry
participants individually to listen to their concerns,
recommendations and solutions. Canada will analyze and summarize
industry input, identify topics that need to be discussed at
Working Group meetings and revise solicitation document(s), if
applicable.

Working Group Meetings:
The objective of the Working Group Meetings is to resolve
industry issues and secure an open competitive procurement
process. Industry will be invited to Working Group Meetings
comprised of representatives from Industry, DND and PWGSC to
discuss specific issues, potential solutions and revised
solicitation document(s), if applicable. Canada will finalize
the solicitation document(s) following these meetings.

Following the Working Group Meetings, Canada will document all
industry issues, positions and action. A draft-RFP will only be
made available to all participants who have signed and complied
with the Rules of Engagement for a final review before the
official RFP is published on MERX.

Third Party Consultation:
Third parties such as Industry Associations will be consulted on
an as and when required basis to discuss industry issues and
recommendations on industry standard practices.


REGISTRATION 

Participants that wish to attend the Industry Engagement Session
and Industry Meetings are to register by notifying the PWGSC
Contracting Authority, identified herein, by March 14, 2012. 
Participants must identify themselves by their legal name,
corporate address, the names of representatives attending by
their respective title as well as their office address,
telephone number(s) and e-mail address.  

Please note that:
(1)    Although Industry may register as many representatives as
required no more than 4 representatives may attend at any given
time due to space limitation.

(2) 	 All attendees are encouraged to register and will be
required to sign-in upon arrival to the venue.

(3) 	 Interested participants are encouraged to submit comments
on the "Industry Engagement Proposed Topics for Discussion" and
suggest additional topics to the Contracting Authority to be
discussed at the one-on-one meetings and working group sessions.
 (See attached document)

(4) 	 Attendees are responsible for their own transportation,
accommodation, meals, 
parking and all other expenses.

(5) 	 Participation is not a mandatory requirement. Not
attending the Industry Engagement Session will not preclude an
interested participant from submitting a proposal.

(6)    Media cannot participate in the one-on-one meetings or
the working group sessions.

Agenda for Industry Engagement Session:
1. Opening Remarks
2. Consultative Process
3. Technical Overview
4. Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process
5. Consultation Schedule
6. Questions and Answers
7. Closing Remarks 
PWGSC Contracting Authority:
Lucie Laliberté
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Contracted Airborne Training Services Project
E-mail: lucie.laliberte@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
Tel. No.: 613-993-2653

SCOPE

The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for
the provision of 
Combat Support (CS) training services to the Royal Canadian
Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. 

This Project is known as the Contracted Airborne Training
Services (CATS) Project. 
The majority of services will be provided in the following
locations across Canada: Victoria, BC; Cold Lake, AB;
Bagotville, QC; and Halifax, NS.  Additionally, CS services may
occur outside of Canada, including but not limited to Mexico and
the United States.
 
CS training services will provide the following mission
categories: 

Target Support: Target Support (TS) missions provide
representative adversary airborne targets for the purpose of
operator training and weapon systems validation in the areas of
detection, tracking and targeting.

Electronic Warfare: Electronic Warfare (EW) missions train land,
maritime and air forces in the operation of their systems in a
live-fly electromagnetic environment using Electronic Attack
(EA), Electronic Protection (EP) and Electronic Counter Measures
(ECM).

Target Tow:  Target Tow (TT) missions provide training to radar,
electro-optical and infrared-guided weapons system operators in
an actual live fire environment.

CATS mission categories of TS, EW and TT are partitioned into
mission sub-categories to address the extensive scope of CS
training requirements.  

ESTIMATED ANNUAL ON STATION HOURS 

The estimated on station hours are 2,500 to 3,500 per year. On
Station Hours is the difference between the time at the initial
point (IP) and the time at the end exercise point (EEP). EEP is
the point after which the aircraft can no longer be expected to
tactically 
manoeuvre.

CONTROLLED GOODS PROGRAM 

Potential Bidders are advised that this procurement is subject
to the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).  The upcoming bid
solicitation will include information about controlled goods
that are subject to the Defence Production Act, R.S. 1985, c.
D-1.  Therefore, Bidders must be registered, exempt or excluded
under the CGP before receiving the complete bid solicitation.
The purpose of this notice is to allow for Bidders sufficient
time to register with the CGP
http://ssi-iss.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/dmc-cgd in order to request the
necessary documentation required to bid on the CATS requirement.
 Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions A9130T - Controlled
Goods Program (2011-05-16) will apply.

SOURCING
This requirement falls under the National Security Exception
(NSE) invoked by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions
Branch, on 28 November 2008, for the procurement of Contracted
Airborne Training Services Project.  This requirement is
therefore excluded from the WTO-AGP, NAFTA and AIT, but remains
governed by the Government Contract Regulations.

The requirement is also not subject to the Comprehensive Land
Claim Agreements (CLCA) as the services to be performed are
outside the Land Claims areas.

The Canadian Content Policy is not applicable to this
procurement since it is subject to Industrial and Regional
Benefits as detailed in the PWGSC Supply Manual Annex 3.6,
article 2biv.




ATTACHED DOCUMENTS

Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process 

The Draft Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process
will be discussed and finalized at the Industry Engagement
Session. Sign off by participants will be required to attend the
one-on-one and the working group meetings.

Principal Elements of CATS Capability

The attached document provides background and context to be
considered in conjunction with the Industry Engagement Proposed
Topics for Discussion.

Industry Engagement Proposed Topics for Discussion

The attached document is a template to assist Canada and
Industry to prepare for
 Industry Meetings and Working Group Meetings and facilitate the
consultative process. Your written response to the proposed
discussion topics and questions and additional topics are
encouraged.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.