2021 Census

Trade Agreement: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Tendering Procedures: The bidder must supply Canadian goods and/or services
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Lowest/Lower Bid
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

NATURE OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

This is a Request for Information (RFI) and not a bid solicitation. No contract will be awarded as a result of this RFI nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list; however, this RFI includes a Request for Industry Comments, a draft version of the Annex “A” Statement of Work at Addendum A, a draft version of the Evaluation Grid at Addendum B and the Security Requirements Check List for the previous 2016 Census and related Security guides at Addendum C*.

*- Current Security Requirement Check List is in development and anticipated security requirements are anticipated to be similar to the previous security requirement. 

The written comments received by Canada will not be specifically shared or referred to in the final solicitation document and any comments provided as a result of this RFI should not contain any restrictions of use. Canada acknowledges that any information collected will be utilized by Canada in an anonymous fashion.

The procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. 

This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFI.

This requirement is limited to Canadian goods and/or services.

KEY TERMS

Behaviour Test Field Procedures: internal process put in place to test the behaviour of Statistics
Canada’s procedures relating to field operations, format of response (internet or paper) respondents and Wave methodology prior to the 2021 Census.

Self-mailer: self-contained piece of mail that has space for an address and postage and can be mailed without a wrapper or envelope.

PURPOSE OF THIS RFI

This RFI is issued for the purpose of:

- Alerting industry to a future procurement action for the supply of print material (i.e., questionnaires, envelopes and letters) production and preparation for distribution requirements for the 2021 Census of Canada (May 11, 2021) and its' associated 2019 Behavioral Tests;

- Obtaining feedback from industry concerning the requirement and the planned procurement process;

And

- To sponsor all suppliers interested in obtaining or upgrading their security level, in order to bid on the requirement when the Request for Proposal will be published on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS).


NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Responses from potential suppliers to this RFI will assist Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Statistics Canada in formulating a procurement strategy that meets Statistics Canada's business and operational requirements. 

Respondents are requested to review Addendum A and Addendum B and to submit written responses to the information requested in the Request for Information.

Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

In addition to providing responses to the information requested in the Request for Information, respondents may submit comments, concerns, and suggestions where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied or improved upon. 

Respondents may also submit comments regarding the content, format and/or organization of Addendum A (Annex “A” Statement of Work). 

Respondents should note that the Addendum A (Annex “A” Statement of Work) and Addendum B (Annex “E” Evaluation criteria) are draft documents and remain a work in progress. 

Respondents should not assume that components or requirements could not be added to, deleted or revised in any bid solicitation that could ultimately be issued by Canada.

Comments regarding any aspect of the draft document are welcome.

FORMAT OF RESPONSES

(a) Cover Page: If the response includes multiple volumes, respondents are requested to indicate on the front cover page of each volume the title of the response, the solicitation number, the volume number and the full legal name of the respondent.

(b) Title Page: The first page of each volume of the response, after the cover page, should be the title page, which should contain:

(i) the title of the respondent's response and the volume number;
(ii) the name and address of the respondent;
(iii) the name, address and telephone number of the respondent's contact;
(iv) the date; and
(v) the RFI number.

(c) Numbering System: Respondents are requested to prepare their response using a numbering system corresponding to the one in this RFI. All references to descriptive material, technical manuals and brochures included as part of the response should be referenced accordingly.

(d) Number of Copies: Canada requests that respondents submit one (1) paper version and one (1) electronic copies, in PDF format, of their response (on a USB key).

RESPONSE COSTS

Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.

TREATMENT OF RESPONSES

(a) Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.

(b) Review Team: A review team composed of representatives of Statistics Canada and PSPC will review the responses. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.

(c) Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.

(d) Follow-up Activity: Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response. Canada reserves the right to invite any or all respondents to present their submissions to this RFI and/or perform a product demonstration.

ENQUIRIES

This is not a bid solicitation. Accordingly, Canada will not respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, Respondents who have questions should submit them to:

Daniel Buck
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Communication Procurement Directorate
360 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario KIA OS5

Telephone: 613-990-9189
Facsimile: 613-991-5870
E-mail: daniel.buck@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca and/or TPSGC.padgamiace-appbmpace.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca 


SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Potential suppliers are not required to submit information under this RFI to qualify for any future bid solicitations for this requirement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. All written responses to this RFI should be submitted to:

Public Services and Procurement Canada
Bid Receiving Unit
Place du Portage, Phase III
Core 0B2 - 11 Laurier Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5

Responsibility for timely delivery: Each Respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response is delivered on time to the correct location.
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.