HAT FELT

Trade Agreement: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
BILTMORE HATS INC.
139 MORRIS STREET
P.O. BOX 690
Guelph Ontario
Canada
N1H6L7
Nature of Requirements: 

1. Objectives of the 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 supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.
 
2. Definition of the requirement
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has a requirement for the supply of felt hats, in accordance with the Specification no. G.S. 1045-070, dated 2019-04-18.

The specific items covered under this procurement, with stock numbers, are as follows:

*3800 - Hat, Felt
*3810-003 - Hat, Felt, Special

The hats must be hydraulically shaped on aluminum moulds that must be suppliers by the contractor.
 
The contractor must have the capacity to produce hats in accordance with the following:

SIZE OVAL         QUANTITY
6 1/2 1 3/4 STD 12
6 7/8 1 RO         24
6 7/8 1 3/8 RO 48
6 7/8 1 3/4 STD 60
6 7/8 2 LO         36
6 7/8 2 1/4 XLO 24
7 1 RO         12
7 1 3/8 RO 36
7 1 3/4 STD 108
7 2 LO         72
7 2 1/4 XLO 36
7 1/8 1 RO         48
7 1/8 1 3/8 RO 24
7 1/8 1 3/4 STD 84
7 1/8 2 LO         132
7 1/8 2 1/4 XLO 96
7 1/4 1 RO         12
7 1/4 1 3/8 RO 12
7 1/4 1 3/4 STD 84
7 1/4 2 LO         192
7 1/4 2 1/4 XLO 60
7 3/8 1 RO         36
7 3/8 1 3/8 RO 36
7 3/8 1 3/4 STD 108
7 3/8 2 LO         276
7 3/8 2 1/4 XLO 84
7 1/2 1 RO         12
7 1/2 1 3/8 RO 12
7 1/2 2 LO         108
7 1/2 2 1/4 XLO 48
7 5/8 1 RO         12
7 5/8 1 3/8 RO 12
7 5/8 1 3/4 STD 12
7 5/8 2 LO         48
7 5/8 2 1/4 XLO 24
7 3/4 2 1/4 XLO 12

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements) 
Any interested supplier must explain and demonstrate how it will meet and carry out the following requirements (note: simply stating that the supplier complies is not sufficient):

A. The hats must be hydraulically shaped on aluminum moulds that must be supplied by the supplier; and
B. The supplier must have the capacity to produce hats in accordance with the table under Section 2 of this ACAN.

Furthermore, any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of technical documentation, including detailed specifications sheets, photos of similar items produced previously and test reports, that its hat meets the following requirements:

C. The felt used to manufacture the hat must be a quality mixture of rabbit and hare fur;
D. The felt used to manufacture the hat must meet all Felt Testing Requirements identified at Table I of the Specification;
E. The hat must include a leather band, made of vegetable tanned calfskin, with a steel buckle. The leather must be rated a minimum of 4 on gray scale when tested for crocking (both dry and wet) in accordance with method ASTM D5053-2009; and
F. Markings must be stamped in 24 carat gold on the inside of the hat.

NOTE: To obtain a copy of the Specification document, please send an email to the Contracting Authority identified at Section 13 of this ACAN.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement 
This procurement is subject to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 
In each of the last two (2) competitive solicitations published on Buyandsell, BILTMORE HATS INC. were the only bidder to submit a proposal. It is believed that BILTMORE is the only bidder capable of producing the RCMP’s entire size roll.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s) 
The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) only one person is capable of performing the work.

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons 
CFTA Article 513 b. the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

v. to ensure compatibility with existing goods, or to maintain specialized goods that must be maintained by the manufacturer of those goods or its representative.

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date
The hats must be delivered before August 31, 2020.

9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract 
The estimated value of the contract, including options, is $1.5M (GST/HST extra). 

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier 
Biltmore Hats Inc.
139 Morris Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1H6L7

11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities 
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods described in the ACAN may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is March 27, 2020, 2:00 PM.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: 
Jonah Dubé
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Acquisitions Branch
Commercial and Consumer Products Directorate (CCPD)
Clothing & Textiles Division
L'Esplanade Laurier, East Tower 7th Floor
140 O'Connor, Street, Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R5 Canada 
Telephone: 613-859-0788
E-mail address: Jonah.dube@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca 

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. 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 contracting authority may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile transmission, on the covering page.

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.   

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. 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 contracting authority may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile transmission, on the covering page.

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.