Request for Information - Randle Reef

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
INDUSTRY INFORMATION DAY FOLLOW-UP
AND
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

 Randle Reef  Contaminated Sediment Remediation Project

Introduction        
On November 14, 2013, Canada hosted an "Industry Engagement Day"
in Toronto, Ontario, to present the current state of the Randle
Reef, Contaminated Sediment Remediation. This Industry
Engagement Day session was open to all interested suppliers and
associations in this industry. Canada engaged industry in a
discussion on Randle Reef's history, the project's history,
current requirement and the procurement strategy.

Purpose
The purpose of this RFI follow-up is to seek from industry ideas
related to the current procurement approach that might result in
efficiencies and cost savings to Canadians.

Randle Reef  Project Overview
The following information regarding the Randle Reef Contaminated
Sediment Remediation Project is provided as an over view of the
project and the procurement strategy as it is defined today:

Randle Reef Background
Project History
Current Requirement and
Total Estimated Cost of the Project
Attached documents:
Industry Information Day Presentation and 
PWGSC's the response to questions from the audience attending
Industry Information Day.

This Industry Engagement Day was not a call for Tenders or a
Request for Proposal. No agreement or contract will be entered
into, with any person or entity, based solely on this Letter of
Interest. The issuance of this Letter of Interest is not to be
considered in any way a commitment by the Government of Canada
or as authority to potential participants to undertake any work,
which could be charged to Canada. This Letter of Interest is not
to be considered as a commitment to issue a Request for Proposal
or award contract(s) for these projects.

Questions to Industry 
The following questions are to be used as a guide for  your
submission.
Do you see omissions in our strategy?
What would you improve?
Do you have any concerns with our strategy?
What would you change?
What questions should we be asking?


Procurement Limitations
Any proposed recommendation must fit within these procurement
constraints:

The Hamilton Port Authority (HPA) contracted for the design.
Design for stage 1 is complete.
PWGSC is implementing the HPA owned design.
Engineer of Record must be the HPA's Design Consultant
(consultation regarding technical design issues and changes).

Future Feedback Opportunities
The Randle Reef Project is defined in 3 stages (Build
Containment Facility;  Dredge Harbour;  and Dewater and Cap).
This project is anticipated to be delivered over the next 8
years. As project progresses through the 3 stages  PWGSC will
host additional Industry Information Days.

Project Background  
The Government of Canada and the United States have recognized
that contaminated sediments pose significant environmental risks
to the Great Lakes ecosystem. In 1985, these two countries
identified 43 Areas of Concern (AOCs) where impaired water
quality prevented full beneficial use of rivers, bays, harbours,
and ports. Under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement, the Government of Canada has committed to
remediating the 14 remaining Canadian OACs, including Hamilton
Harbour where Randle Reed is located.
The contaminated sediment targeted for remediation is located at
Randle Reef along the south shore of Hamilton Harbour.  
Randle Reef is considered to be the largest and one of the more
complex and highly contaminated sediment sites in the Great
Lakes. With the remediation of the Sydney Tar Ponds nearing
completion, Randle Reef is now the largest polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated sediment site in Canada.  Owing
to the long history of contamination (more than 150years), from
multiple sources, it is not possible to apply the polluter pay
principle. Instead, a shared responsibility model has been
adopted with the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and
local community participating equally in the design and
implementation of a solution.  This legacy site is a priority
for remediation in the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan
(RAP) and under the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the
Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA).


 Project History
On or about June 17, 2003, Environment Canada (EC) entered into
an Implementation Agreement (IA) with the Ontario Ministry of
the Environment (MOE) and the Hamilton Port Authority (HPA) to
develop a Detailed Engineering Design for the sediment
remediation and containment facility for Randle Reef.

HPA received the final design documents from Arcadis, the design
consultant, on or about June 2009.  PWGSC performed a peer
review on the final documents.  
An Engineering Assessment Report has been prepared by HPA.
Once the Detailed Engineering Report was completed, the HPA was
to assume the role of the contracting authority for the Project.
It was determined by HPA in August 2008 that they would not be
able to provide the technical and construction management
services required to implement the Project.  As such, EC, as the
Project Implementing Agency, asked PWGSC to assume to role of
the contracting authority for this Project.
PWGSC has agreed to provide technical and construction
management, and contracting services.

Current Requirement
Sediment remediation is required to reduce the environmental
impacts of contaminants including polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals located at this site.
The Randle Reef Sediment Remediation project involves the
construction of a 7.5 hectare Engineered Containment Facility
(ECF) over 130,000 m3 of the most highly contaminated sediment
located at this contaminated sediment site.  By constructing the
ECF in this location, the most highly contaminated sediments
will not be disturbed.  In addition, approximately 500,000 m3 of
contaminated sediments surrounding the ECF will be dredged and
placed inside for a total containment of 630,000 m3.  Another
45,000 m3 will be capped using both thin layer capping and
isolation capping techniques, for a grand total of 675,000 m3 of
sediment being managed.  
The ECF isolation structure will be constructed with double
steel sheet pile walls.  The contaminated sediment deposited
within the ECF will be de-watered and the decant water produced
by this process will be treated by an on-site water treatment
system to meet Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
regulatory requirements before being discharged back into
Hamilton Harbour.  Once dewatering is completed, the contained
sediment will be covered by a multi layer environmental cap. 
Cost
The total estimate for the proposed encapsulation and
Containment solution is between $100M to $150M.

Industry Engagement Day
Participation was not mandatory. Failure to attend these
sessions/meetings will not preclude participants from
participating in the next procurement phase.  


Submission Format
The preferred submission format is as follows:

(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:	EQ754-130003/A

(c) 	Canada requests that suppliers submit electronic copies of
their responses in both Microsoft® Office 2003 or 2007
compatible format and/or searchable Adobe Acrobat® compatible
PDF format.

(d) 	Number of Copies: 
	Canada requests that respondents submit 1 copy of their
responses.


Submission of Responses

(a) 	Time and Place for Submission of Responses: 
	Respondents are asked to send responses by e-mail to the
Contracting Authority's email address identified above by the
time and date indicated on page 1 of this document.

(b) 	Responsibility for Timely Delivery: 
	Each respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response
is delivered on time to the correct location.

(c) 	Identification of Response: 
	Each respondent are asked to ensure that its name and return
address, the solicitation number and the closing date appear
legibly on the outside of the response.

Deadline for Submissions:
This initial request for feedback is required no later than
December 13, 2013.



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 LOI may direct their enquiries to:

	Contracting Authority:  	Jim Cowieson
	E-mail Address: 	 	Jim.Cowieson@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
	Telephone:			416-512-5829
	 Facsimile:			416-512-5829



Question Received During Industry Information Day Presentation 
(November 14, 2013)

Question 1.	Have we considered joining stage 2 and 3 in the
procurement? 

Answer:  	This is the type of question which should be brought
forward either by comment card or contacting  PWGSC for a
one-on-one opportunity to present the idea and the benefits. 


Question 2.	 Is there any weighting for Canadian content in the
evaluation? 

Answer:   	No. The values of these contracts fall within WTO-AGP
and NAFTA.



Question 3.	 How is the schedule driven?  It would seem like a
very long time.  

Answer:  	It is a relaxed schedule. There are some requirements
which PWGSC must go to Treasury Board for stages 2 & 3 which
will take time.


Question 4.	Is the Federal portion/Treasury Board portion
approved or is it still in the process?  
Answer:  	All Federal Funds, Provincial Funds and Partner Funds
are in place (funding arrangements in place for all three)


Question 5.	 Is there any opportunity to include design
innovations?  
Answer:  	The design has already been contracted for by Hamilton
Port Authority and is complete. Recommendations for Stages 2 & 3
are welcome.


Delivery Date: 13/12/2013

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.