Canada Student Loans Program Re-procurement

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall  Proposal
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
Canada Student Loans Program Re-procurement
G7514-120001/D
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Canada Student Loans Program  

PURPOSE
The Government of Canada is issuing this Request For Proposal
(RFP) for the purposes of contracting with one Service Provider
(SP) to provide financial and related services for the Canada
Student Loans Program (CSLP) for loans made pursuant to the
Canada Student Financial Assistance Act. 

The Canada Student Loans Program was created in 1964 to promote
access to post-secondary education to individuals with a
demonstrated financial need. Since its inception, the CSLP has
provided more than $21.1 billion in loans to over 3.4 million
individuals.  In terms of the direct loans portfolio, the CSLP
annually serves approximately 350,000 full-time and part-time
students and has approximately 1.6 million
borrowers-in-repayment.  The CSL direct loan portfolio is valued
at $6.8 billion in loans, of which approximately $3.2 billion
are in repayment. The requirements for the program are
legislated through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act
(CSFAA), 1994, and the Canada Student Loan Program Act (CSLP
Act).

All provinces and territories participate in the CSLP, with the
exception of Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. 
These jurisdictions administer their own assistance programs and
receive an alternative payment from the Government of Canada.

The scope of the potential procurement includes the
administration of the:
Ÿ	Canada Student Loans Program (Direct Financing which has taken
place since 2000);
Ÿ	The Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loans Program;
Ÿ	The Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loans Program;
Ÿ	The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Integrated Student Loans
Program; 
Ÿ	The Canada-New Brunswick Integrated Student Loans Program;
·	The Canada-British Columbia Integrated Student Loans Program;
and
Ÿ	The potential future additions of other Integrated Student
Loans Programs and/or student financial assistance products
(e.g. grants).

The Service Provider will administer borrower accounts starting
from when the loan agreement is signed through to full repayment
of the loan, while ensuring security to private and personal
borrower information. This will include providing financial and
related services such as verifying the loan agreement, managing
the in-study interest free period, and handling loan repayment. 
The Service Provider will be responsible for sending letters to
borrowers, notifying borrowers of their debt consolidation,
reception of borrower payments and detailing their repayment
responsibilities.  

The Service Provider will also provide lower level case
management, including responding to borrower calls and
rehabilitating loans that fall into delinquency.  The Service
Provider also would be expected to provide online services,
services in both official languages and service to persons with
special needs.

The Service Provider will have the capability and expertise to
provide an end-to-end solution.  This solution is sought to
achieve the following objectives:
Ÿ	Timely delivery of consistent, accurate and appropriate
services;
Ÿ	Consolidate loans;
Ÿ	Minimize loan defaults
Ÿ	Rehabilitate loans in distress;
Ÿ	Maintain a high level of client satisfaction (borrower and
program); and 
Ÿ	Ensure the security and privacy of personal and private
borrower information.

PERIOD OF THE CONTRACT
Canada intends to award one contract resulting from this
procurement. The length of the initial contract period will be 8
years, with options to extend the contract period for up to 84
months, in increments of no less than 6 months, for a total of
up to 15 years.

NOTE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS 
Ÿ	This RFP contains security requirements.
Ÿ	This RFP includes a mandatory Aboriginal Benefits requirement.
Ÿ	This RFP includes a mandatory Canadian Content requirement.
Ÿ	This RFP imposes a restriction that all Work must be performed
in Canada, by a company/entity incorporated in Canada.

Information or documentation provided to, or obtained by, the
Bidder from any source prior to the date of this RFP has no
force or effect in relation to this RFP.
No payment will be made for costs incurred in the preparation
and submission of a proposal in response to this Request for
Proposal.

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY
All inquiries, responses and other communications related to
this Request for Proposal shall be forwarded to the Contracting
Officer at:

Robert Crober
PWGSC, Acquisitions Branch, STAMS
Special Procurement Initiatives Directorate
Place Du Portage, Phase III, 12C1
11 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Quebec,
K1A 0S5
Tel: (819)956-1206
Fax: (819)956-3156  E-mail: Robert.crober@pwgsc.gc.ca


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.