Printing Services - Security requirements

Trade Agreement: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Tendering Procedures: The bidder must supply Canadian goods and/or services
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

60074-181054A
Buck, Daniel
Telephone No. - (613) 998-8582 
Email: TPSGC.padgamiace-appbmpace.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
 

Nature of Requirements:

LETTER OF INTEREST REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR THE PROVISION OF PRINTING SERVICES WITH A SECURITY REQUIREMENT

This is not a bid solicitation. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is releasing this Letter of Interest (LOI) to inform all interested parties of a potential procurement activity including an elevated security requirement.

The purpose of this LOI is to make the printing industry aware that there may be a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued for the provision of printing services that will contain a requirement for the production of documents that are classified as Secret. Suppliers whom wish to bid, must ensure they have this level of clearance and safeguarding prior to bid submission. 

The requirement if published will also be time sensitive in nature and will require the supplier to complete production to final format and delivery of completed quantities to the final destination(s) in Ottawa must be completed within 27 to 36 hours between January - April 2019.

Suppliers should note that this LOI is not a pre-selection process. There will be no short listing of firms for purposes of undertaking any future works, as a result of this LOI. The issuance of this LOI is not to be considered in any way as a commitment by Canada, or as authority for the respondent to undertake any work which could be charged to Canada, nor is this LOI to be considered a commitment to issue eventual RFPs or award eventual contracts in relation to these services.

Canada shall not be bound by anything stated in this LOI. Canada reserves the right to change all or any parts of this LOI as deemed necessary.


IMPORTANT NOTES TO INTERESTED SUPPLIERS

- The actual number of documents is not finalized at this time and will vary. 

- Production may take place over a weekend and/or a statutory holiday.

- The Contractor must provide all required resources and services to meet the confirmed production, distribution and delivery schedule for the complete quantities specified by Authority. 

- The documents will be printed in either black OR colour, which will be determined prior to the print run. It will include the production of various bound documents and loose sheet products in both English and French. 

- The proposed requirement will be subject to PSPCs Policy on Canadian Content and therefore will be solely limited to suppliers offering Canadian goods and services. 

- The requirement is subject to the provisions of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).


IMPORTANT SECURITY NOTES TO INTERESTED SUPPLIERS

- In order to provide the necessary access to the Bidder’s facilities for last-minute changes, to maintain security surveillance and to ensure timely delivery of documents, it is essential that the Bidder’s production facilities be within a 100 kilometre radius of downtown Ottawa.

- There are security requirements associated with this requirement. All documents associated with this requirement are classified Secret. 

- The documents must be produced in a 27 to 36 hour lock-down. 

- The "lock-down" will be conducted in stages, through areas as production progresses. Each area will be added to the total "lock-down" area and released only upon completion of the final delivery.

- The Contractor must allocate space for food preparation and storage, rest area, washroom facilities within the lock-down zone for their staff and project authority staff throughout the production. 

- The Contractor must allow the Project Authority to place departmental security officials on their premises throughout the entire project. 

- In the event of an interruption in the Contractor’s operations due to technical failure or other disaster, the Contractor’s resources identified for the complete production process must be transported to the back-up facility to complete the production and distribution requirements. The required resources must be transported in a contractor supplied single vehicle large enough to accommodate all in one trip including a Project Authority Security representative

At the date of bid closing, the following conditions must be met:

- The Contractor must, at all times during the performance of the Contract, hold a valid Facility Security Clearance at the level of SECRET, with approved Document safeguarding at the level of SECRET, issued by the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate (CISD), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

- The Contractor personnel requiring access to CLASSIFIED information, assets or sensitive work site(s) must EACH hold a valid personnel security screening at the level of SECRET, granted or approved by CISD/PWGSC.

- Suppliers who are interested in this requirement but who do not hold the required security clearances may use the following link to obtain instructions on how to obtain them: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/esc-src/enquete-screening-eng.html

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.