Eastern Canada Ferry Services

Trade Agreement: CETA / WTO-AGP / NAFTA / CFTA / FTAs with Peru / Colombia / Panama / Korea
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

Eastern Canada Ferry Services - Transport Canada

Request for Information (RFI) and Industry Consultation for Eastern Canada Ferry Services for Transport Canada (TC).

Objectives:

The Government of Canada (GC) intends to seek Industry feedback ona potential approach to deliver the Eastern Canada Ferry Services, which includes ferry service between: Saint John, New Brunswick (NB) and Digby, Nova Scotia (NS); Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Caribou, NS; and Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec (QC) and Souris, PEI.

The GC is seeking industry feedback on a new long-term approach for the ferry 


services through an RFI on how long-term contracts with operator-supplied vessels could be used to provide the services. The GC’s objectives for moving to a new approach are to provide long-term certainty and sustainability to communities through high quality servic
e with newer and better vessels, while supporting the regional Atlantic 
and 
Quebec economies.

The GC also seeks feedback that will help it assess the potential industrial and economic benefits of the potential approach.  Vessel maintenance, repairs, capital work and dry docks would be undertaken in Cana
da, providing benefits to the Canadian marine industry.    

The GCis also seeking feedback on the potential opportunities for Aboriginal socio economic development, including Aboriginal Business Development; Aboriginal Employment; Aboriginal Training and Skills Development; and other economic measures.

Background:

In support of the Eastern Canada Ferry Services, TC leases four vessels an
d six terminals to the private operators. As owner of these assets, TC is responsible for managing and funding capital projects that increase the assets’ capacity, capability,efficiency and/or useful life.  Information on TC’s vessels and terminals is provided in the RFI, Annex B and 
Annex C, respectively.   

Operators are responsible for: operating and crewing the vessels; setting the schedule of crossings; overhead cost allocation; ma
intaining and repairing the vessels; maintaining the vessels to class; and, arranging for dry docks.  The operators also manage and operate th
e ferry terminal facilities. 


Consultation Process:

This RFI, which forms part of the Consultation Process, will consist of 

three (3) stages:

Stage 1:  Industry Day and/or by WebEx and Initial responses to the 
RFI;
Stage 2:  One-on-One Meetings with Industry; and,
Stage 3:  Final responses to the RFI.

Please note that at Canada’s discretion, potential follow-up session(s) 

may also take place. 

The content of this RFI is to provide Industry with initial contact and 

details pertaining to Transport Canada’s requirement.

For additional information, please referto the attached RFI document.

Respondents are encouraged to respond to any or all of the questions that have been posed in the RFI.




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.