Multimedia Network Convergence RFI#2

Trade Agreement: Set-Aside Program for Aboriginal Business (SPAB)
Tendering Procedures: 
Attachment: None
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
Multimedia Network Convergence Equipment and Support Services
for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)


This is a Request for Information (RFI) pertaining to the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Multimedia Network Convergence
Equipment and Support Services solicitation. 
The original solicitation was issued on 9 September 2011 under
No. M9010-091080/A. As a result of industry concerns petaining
to a potential Conflict of Interest, PWGSC outlined its next
steps on 16 November 2011 which included converting
M9010-091080/A to RFI#1 and a review by a Third Party, ADGA
Group Consultants Inc. which was communicated to industry on 14
December 2011. In prepartion to re-issue the solicitation, this
publication provides industry a DRAFT RFSO as well as a table
highlighting the revisions. This RFI is issued for information
purposes only.

The resulting Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) which is
anticipated to be published in mid-March 2012 will be to satisfy
a requirement for the supply of networking and Internet Protocol
(IP) products as well as related IT professional services to
augment, enhance, and in some cases replace existing equipment,
with the primary goal of migrating RCMP multimedia (radio, voice
and video) onto the existing RCMP IP data network. The IT
professional services will provide the RCMP with specialized
assistance in the design and planning required to support the
RCMP's convergence project on a national scale.  

The multimedia services being migrated include: 

a) Voice over IP;
b) Voice messaging over the IP Network; 
c) Call center deployment of VoIP;
d) Radio over IP;
e) Emergency services;
f) Remote monitoring networks;
g) Wireless LAN and bridging; and
h) Video over IP for surveillance and for conferencing. 

The required equipment Device Categories are: 

a) Access Routers;
b) Data Centre Bridging;
c) Voice over IP; 
d) Radio over IP;
e) IP Video Monitoring;
f) IP Video Conferencing;
g) Wireless LAN; and
h) Wireless IDS/IPS.

The technical specifications for the products in these Device
Categories are described in Annex A (Requirement) and Offerors
must offer products in all these categories that meet all the
mandatory requirements.

Offerors are not required to be the Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) of any products to submit an offer, but for
any given Device Category, it is mandatory that all the
equipment proposed come from a single OEM. 

In addition to these Device Categories, there are certain
components that the RCMP requires for existing Cisco devices
already owned by the RCMP. Offerors must offer either these
Cisco components or propose an equivalent substitute, which the
Offeror must demonstrate is equivalent in accordance with the
provisions of this RFSO.

The required professional services categories are: 

a) Network Architect;
b) Network Project Manager; and
c) OEM Product Specialist.

The requirement is subject to a preference for Canadian services.

Canada will seek to select the offer which represents overall
best value to Canada, established through the combined rating of
technical merit and price. The selection of the Offeror will be
determined on the basis of a 25% and 75% split between the
technical and price components respectively. The offer with the
highest combined rating score will be considered as the offer
representing the best value.  

To be considered, Offers must meet all the mandatory evaluation
criteria. The rated evaluation criteria focus on Offeror
experience with Original Equipment Manufacturers and product
functionality in other end-user environments.
 
The financial offers must contain equipment prices from
Published Price Lists (PPLs) and per diem rates for services,
and also include a minimum/floor discount rate for the total
Standing Offer Period, which will be applied to the PPL pricing
each time a Call-up is made.  The financial evaluation will be
based on the aggregate offer prices for all products and
services as detailed in the RFSO. 

The evaluation process may result in the issuance of one
Standing Offer or none, at the discretion of Canada. If a
Standing Offer is issued, it will be for a period of three years
from Canada's date of authorization, with the option for Canada
to extend for three additional one-year periods.

There is a security requirement associated with this
requirement. The Standing Offeror must hold a valid Designated
Organization Screening and personnel will require appropriate
RCMP clearance. The full security requirements are noted in the
document.  For additional information, consult Part 4 -
Evaluation Procedures and Basis of Selection, and Part 6A -
Resulting Standing Offer Clauses. Offerors should consult the
"Security Requirement for PWGSC Bid Solicitations - Instructions
for Bidders"
(http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/lc-pl/lc-pl-eng.html#a31)
document on the Departmental Standard Procurement Documents Web
site.

This procurement is set aside under the federal government's
Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business, as detailed in
Annex 9.4 - Requirements for the Set-aside Program for
Aboriginal Business, of the Supply Manual.  

This procurement is set aside from the international trade
agreements under the provision each has for set-asides for small
and minority businesses. 

Further to Article 1802 of the Agreement on Internal Trade
(AIT), the AIT does not apply to this procurement.

This procurement is included in the "RCMP National Procurement
Plan Fiscal Year 2010-2011"
(http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/cm-gg/index-eng.htm).





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.