Request for information (RFI) - Marine Container Optical
Character Recognition (OCR)

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with
Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: 
Attachment: None
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - Marine Container Optical
Character Recognition (OCR)

CLOSING DATE has been changed to October 30, 2013

This is not a bid solicitation

INTRODUCTION

Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Canada
Border Services Agency (CBSA) is seeking feedback from industry,
and in particular Marine Container Optical Character Recognition
(OCR) Suppliers, with respect to information on OCR solutions
that have Marine Container number capturing/reading abilities.

For details on CBSA's interactive demonstrations sessions,
please refer to the attached Annex B.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RFI

The purpose of the Request for Information is to:

1. Collect information on market readiness and industry
capabilities specific to OCR with respect to border processing;

2. Receive responses from the industry about their product (s);
and,

3. Solicit industry's interest to provide an interactive
demonstration of how their product(s) address the listed
questions, and to discuss their product(s) in detail.

NATURE OF RFI

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the
award of any contract. As a result, potential suppliers of any
goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock
or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any
information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in
the creation of any source list. Therefore, whether or not any
potential supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that
supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, 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.

NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns
and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how
the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be
satisfied. Respondents are also invited to provide comments
regarding the content, format and/or organization of any draft
documents included in this RFI. Respondents should explain any
assumptions they make in their responses.

RESPONSE COSTS

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

RESPONSES AND ENQUIRIES

Respondents are reminded that this is a RFI and not a Request
for Proposal (RFP).

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.

A review team composed of representatives of the client and
PWGSC will review the responses on behalf of Canada. 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.

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. 

Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow
up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect
of a response.

QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY

Please see attached Annex A.

ENQUIRIES

Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not
necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating
answers to all potential suppliers. However, respondents with
questions regarding this Request for Information may direct
their enquiries to: 

Anne Caron
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Acquisitions Branch
Commercial Consumer Products Directorate
11 Laurier Street, 6A2, Phase III
Place du Portage, Hull, Quebec, K1A 0S5

Telephone: 	(819)  956-3874
Facsimile: 	(819)  956-3814
E-mail address:  anne.caron@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Public Works and Government Services Canada requests that
respondents submit their written responses to the issues
referenced herein or any additional comments/concerns or
alternate recommendations on how this requirement can be
satisfied via electronic mail to the Contracting Authority named
herein.


ANNEX A

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)


This RFI is to determine functionality and if the OCR systems
can be integrated to existing Canada Border Services Agency
equipment.

1.	What is the accuracy rate for your system?
Proponent Response:









2.	What is the minimum number of cameras needed?
Proponent Response:









3.	Can your system work with our cameras (Lumenera Le165C
Day/Night with a Pentax C30405TH lens)?
Proponent Response:









4.	Can your system scan containers moving at speeds up to 40km?
Proponent Response:












5.	What does the system do if it can't identify a container
number?
Proponent Response:









6.	Can the system use a database to identify partial container
numbers?
Proponent Response:









7.	Can multiple systems be linked to a central database?
Proponent Response:









8.	What type of report can be generated by the system?
Proponent Response:









9.	What protocol is used to transfer information?
Proponent Response:














10.	Where are your systems deployed aroundthe world (types of
sites, end users, POC's)?
Proponent Response:









11.	What are the operational requirements?
Proponent Response:








12.	Do you have any additional information you deem appropriate
to add?
Proponent Response:











ANNEX B

INTERACTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS SESSIONS

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may at its sole discretion
schedule meetings with interested respondents to provide them
with the opportunity for a follow-up to their written response
to present/demonstrate/discuss their capabilities in relation to
this RFI. An Invite Agenda along with specific questions or
areas of interest to be covered during the session will be
provided to the interested respondents.

The demonstration will be located  at a mutually agreed
location. The exact location and timeframe will be detailed in
the Invite Agenda. However, at no time will the session exceed 4
hours in length. Vendors will also be asked to provide an
electronic version of their presentation. The Vendor must
provide a contact name, email address and telephone number when
submitting their response. 

The Vendor session will cover specific technical and particular
Marine Container Optical Character Recognition (OCR) details. As
such, representatives attending the session must include Subject
Matter Expert(s) in these areas in order to meaningfully respond
to questions at the session. 

Vendors are advised to clearly identify which portions of their
response are proprietary. The confidentiality of each Vendor's
response will be maintained. Due to the nature of RFI activity,
respondents must be aware that aspects (that have not been
labelled confidential) of their responses may be used as a basis
as CBSA prepares for any future procurement.

All Vendors participating in the demonstration must provide, for
a period of up to three months, a fully-functional system for
further examination by CBSA personnel.

Information provided in response to this RFI will be divulged
only to individuals authorized to participate in this RFI
activity. 

Responses to this RFI will not be used to pre-qualify or
otherwise restrict participation in any future RFP. Responses
will not be formally evaluated. 

CBSA will not reimburse any expenditure incurred in preparing
responses, providing systems and participating in the
demonstration sessions related to this 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.