Information Technology Infrastructure in Support of Command and Control

Trade Agreement: NONE
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: 

Information Technology Infrastructure in Support of Command and Control (ITI in Sp of C2) - Request for Information (RFI):

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf of The Department of National Defence (DND) / Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), is releasing this Request for Information (RFI) to inform Industry and to seek input on the possible procurement and costing for the Information Technology Infrastructure in Support of Command and Control (ITI in Sp of C2) Project.
 
This RFI will be continually amended to advise industry, on an on-going basis, of industry engagement activities and resulting feedback.
 
To facilitate the above process, it is Canada's intention to keep the RFI open until such time as a final Request for Proposal is released.

Purpose:
This RFI is being issued with the key objectives of:

a.establishing a continuous single point of official project communications with potential suppliers;
b.soliciting detailed feedback from potential suppliers on operational and technical requirements, cost and schedule;
c.soliciting advice on industry capabilities to develop the Industrial Technological Benefits (ITB) Value Proposition with questions about industrial capacity for performing work related to the future contracts in Canada, strengthening Canadian supply chains, and making long-term investments in the Canadian IT sector;
d.advising potential suppliers of the security requirements of the potential RFP(s) and resulting contract(s), and providing direction and assistance to unscreened suppliers in obtaining security clearances;
e.answering questions from potential suppliers via an unclassified industry day and classified one-on-one meetings, ensuring all interested participants receive the same information;
f.informing industry of the proposed procurement approach; and
g.setting the conditions for successful follow-on project activities.
 

Requirement Description:
The Department of National Defence (DND)/Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has a requirement to implement a secure, integrated Secret-level Information Technology (IT) infrastructure that will converge and reduce the number of DND/CAF Secret networks, provide enhanced connectivity and information sharing capabilities within the DND/CAF and with our mission partners, and readily evolve to meet future challenges. This IT infrastructure will enable commanders across the CAF to exercise Command and Control (C2), including at deployed headquarters, using the latest available technologies to provide optimal support capabilities. 

The DND/CAF will deliver this new capability through the Information Technology Infrastructure in Support of Command and Control (ITI in Sp of C2) Project, which will, among other things, strive to leverage industry capabilities and efficiencies to deliver services to the maximum extent possible. 

Nature of this Request for Information:
This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Request for Proposal (RFP).  No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI. The issuance of this RFI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by the Government of Canada or as authority to potential respondents to undertake any work that could be charged to Canada. This RFI is not to be considered as a commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or award contract(s) for the work described herein.

Although the information collected may be provided as commercial-in-confidence (and, if identified as such, will be treated accordingly by Canada), Canada may use the information to assist in drafting performance specifications (which are subject to change) and for budgetary purposes.

Respondents are encouraged to identify, in the information they share with Canada, any information that they feel is proprietary, third party or personal information. All responses to this RFI will be held by PWGSC on a confidential basis (subject to applicable legislation) and remain the property of PWGSC once they have been received.

Respondents are asked to identify if their response, or any part of their response, is subject to the Controlled Goods Regulations.
Respondents must submit responses or questions containing classified information in accordance with the instructions in the RFI.

Respondents will not be reimbursed for any cost incurred by participating in this RFI.

The RFI closing date published herein is not the deadline for comments or input. Comments and input will be accepted any time up to the time when/if a follow-on solicitation is published.

National Security Exception (NSE) Notice:
All aspects of this RFI and any resulting solicitation or contract are subject to the national security exception and are, therefore, excluded from all of the obligations of the trade agreements.

Security Requirement:
There is a security requirement associated with this RFI.

Enquiries
Unless otherwise specified in the RFI, all enquiries and other communications related to this RFI shall be directed exclusively to the PWGSC Contracting Authority.  Since this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all respondents; however, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries to:

Aaron Abela
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Place du Portage III, 8C2
11 Laurier, Gatineau, Canada K1A 0S5
Email:  TPSGC.PADivisionQE-APQEDivision.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

The use of email to communicate is preferred.  

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

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.