SERVICES, LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRA

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with
Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: 
Attachment: None
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Government Objectives
Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Language Research Development Group
1407 Saint Alexandre St.,
Montreal Quebec
Canada
H3A2G3
Nature of Requirements: 


Note : The text below was amended to change the formatting of
the text only. No changes were made to the content.


1.	Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community
that a department or agency  intends to award a contract for
goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier,
thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in
bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no
supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the
requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date
stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed
with the award to the pre-identified supplier.


2.	Definition of the requirement

2.1	Background

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) exists to repay the nation's debt
of gratitude toward those whose courageous efforts have given us
this legacy, and have contributed to our growth as a nation.
Among the significant responsibilities of the Department of
Veterans Affairs Act, the Minister of Veterans Affairs is
charged with the care, treatment, or re-establishment in civil
life of any person who served in the Canadian Forces or merchant
navy or in the naval, army or air forces or merchant navies of
Her Majesty, of any person who has otherwise engaged in pursuits
relating to war, and of any other person designated and the care
of the dependants or survivors of any person referred to.

As a service oriented department, VAC is committed to serving
our clients in the official language of their choice. To meet
this commitment, an appropriate level of bilingual positions has
been established in our Head Office as well as in offices across
Canada. Our operating environment requires that we maintain
strong language levels at all levels throughout the Department.
Further, there has been a move away from staffing positions with
a non-imperative requirement.

In 2012, delivery of second language learning programs was
decentralized from the Canada School of the Public Service
(CSPS) to departments. As such, VAC is responsible for the
delivery of second language programs for employees across
Canada. It is significant to note that our Head Office is
located in Charlottetown, PEI and that significant regional
offices are dispersed in somewhat distant locations where the
public demand for second language training is low.

VAC has developed a Second Language Learning Strategy to
coordinate the approach of language training in the Department.
The strategy offers a flexible framework in which managers can
make prudent and consistent decisions regarding language
training needs. A key objective of the strategy is to improve
Service to Clients. We must have a flexible learning model
wherein employees' needs are met based on specific learning
needs/preferences/accessibility. 

The Supplier must offer equitable access to French and English
second language training through innovative and intelligent
language instruction software with flexible options for
one-on-one tutoring (by phone or in person) and group learning
opportunities with qualified language teachers.

LRDG software requires no additional 3rd party software. The
products have been tested on all environments of desktop,
laptop, work station and server environments and are fully
compatible from Windows 98 through Windows 7, including Vista.
The vendor does not require maintenance fees and VAC IT has
demonstrated the software can be easily distributed in all VAC
locations.


2.2	Objective

The objective is to provide full-time and part-time second
language training, in French and English to employees of VAC
across Canada in order to: 

a. ensure that clients can be served in the official language of
their choice;

b. ensure the quality of our services in both official languages;

c. promote the use of both official languages in the workplace;
and

d. establish a bilingual workplace.


2.3	Scope of Work

VAC is looking for a solution which comprises eight components: 

a. a computer-based training delivered via a self-contained
software product installed on individual computers (CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM); 

b. a subscription-based training delivered via a web portal; 

c. a tutor-led training delivered in classroom, in virtual
classroom and by telephone; 

d. a language proficiency level evaluation delivered by a web
portal;

e. an on-site SLE preparation course;

f. a virtual SLE preparation course;

g. a tutor-led SLE preparation session; and

h. virtual lunch and learn sessions for oral maintenance.


The proposed solution must also comply with the following
principles:
 
a. The second language training must be provided at the levels
A, B, and C in accordance with the Government of Canada
Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages
(http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/gui/squn03-eng.asp). 

b. The second language training must be flexible to accommodate
different employee schedules.

Tutor-led training:

- Classroom training
  Estimated number of students per year* = 120
  Estimated number of hours  per year = 2000

- Virtual classroom training
  Estimated number of students per year* = 15	
  Estimated number of hours  per year = 1650

- Telephone training
  Estimated number of students per year* = 75	
  Estimated number of hours  per year = 3650

- SLE Preparation
  Estimated number of students per year* = 68	
  Estimated number of hours  per year = 2500

* Due to the transitional period that VAC has been undergoing
since the Canada School of the Public Service has decentralized
responsibility for second language training, these figures are
based on the usage of the past year. For each category, the
actual usage may be more or less than the estimated figures.


Estimated number of perpetual licenses** required:

Self-contained software (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) = 25

** Perpetual licenses: a perpetual license must allow VAC to use
the licensed software indefinitely. It must also allow VAC to
download all updates to the software and to receive technical
support. After the one year period ends, VAC can choose to
remain with the last version downloaded or to purchase a 1year
updates and support package, for 20% of the license price. There
are no penalties for letting updates and support lapse for a
while before purchasing an annual package.


2.4	Technical Environment

The self-contained software and the web portal must run and
function properly when implemented in the technical environment
described below:

- Windows 98 through Windows 7, including Vista

- Must be compatible with Internet Explorer version 8 and above
running on Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

- Must be able to be packaged and delivered as a virtual
application using Microsoft Application Virtualization
technology (App-V) version 4.6.


2.5	Contractor's Responsibilities

a. The Contractor must hold all intellectual property rights for
the software, the web-portal and for all teaching materials; 

b. When tutoring services are provided online or by telephone,
the Contractor must bear the costs for calls and any other costs
associated with the delivery of online services;

c. For the classroom tutoring, the Contractor must bear the
costs for travel and living expenses;

d. For the classroom tutoring, the Contractor must provide
teaching aids such as pocket dictionaries and English and French
verb conjugation books at no additional cost to VAC;

e. The Contractor must provide technical assistance for the
software and the web portal at no additional cost to VAC. The
technical assistance for the software and the web portal must be
available 5 days per week, from Monday to Friday, between 9 am
and 4 pm in all Time Zones throughout Canada;

f. The Contractor must deliver the software package (CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM, and the softwaredocumentation) to the Technical
Authority, 10 calendar days following the issuing of a Task
Authorization;

g. The Contractor must replace any defective CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
within 5 calendar days at no additional cost to VAC;

h. If an instructor is absent, the Contractor must replace it by
an instructor with the minimum qualifications as stated in point
g) and h), under Tutor Services Requirements; and

i. The Contractor must distribute and ask each student to fill
out the satisfaction forms at the end of their training. The
Contractor must then forward the completed satisfaction forms to
the Technical Authority. 


2.6	VAC's Responsibilities

a. VAC will provide the facilities and equipment required for
the classroom tutoring;

b. VAC must ensure that each user is following its training plan
as scheduled.

c. VAC's users must provide a 24 hours' notice to the Contractor
to cancel a training session with an instructor.


2.7	Location

Classroom tutoring services must be provided on an as and when
requested basis in the following cities:

Province of Alberta
  Cities: Calgary, Cold Lake and Edmonton

Province of British Columbia
  Cities: Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton and Kelowna

Province of Manitoba
  Cities: Winnipeg and Brandon

Province of New Brunswick
  Cities: Campbellton and Saint John

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
  Cities: St John's and Corner Brook

Province of Nova Scotia
  Cities: Halifax, Sydney and Dartmouth

Province of Ontario
  Cities: Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, Kingston, London, North
Bay, Pembroke, 

Peterborough, Toronto, Scarborough, Trenton, Windsor, Thunder
Bay and Kirkland Lake

Province of Prince Edward Island
  City:	Charlottetown

Province of Québec
  Cities: Ste Anne de Bellevue, Montréal, Gatineau and Québec

Province of Saskatchewan
  Cities: Regina and Saskatoon


3	Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

3.1	Software Criteria

a. The software must deliver, enable and support bilingual
language training in French and English; 

b. The software must enable users to maintain and improve their
language skills in accordance with the Government of Canada
Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

c. The software must provide a fully interactive self-study
modular, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM based French and English language
training program;

d. The software must provide language software with all run time
licenses required for proper execution included in the DVD or CD
package;

e. The software must be able to run and function properly within
the technical environment described above, including any laptop
or desktop without the requirement to connect to any outside
server for any reason whatsoever;

f. The software must enable users to assess their language
proficiency based on the Government of Canada Qualification
Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

g. The software must provide language training content at the
levels A, B, and C in accordance with the Government of Canada
Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

h. The software must enable users to start their training at the
appropriate proficiency level based on the Government of Canada
Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

i. The software must enable users to prepare individually for
Second Language Evaluation tests (English and French) prescribed
by the Public Service Commission of Canada.


3.2	Web Portal Criteria

a. The web portal must deliver, enable and support bilingual
language training in French and English; 

b. The web portal must enable users to maintain and improve
their language skills in accordance with Government of Canada
Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

c. The web portal must be able to run and function properly
within the technical environment described above, including any
laptop, desktop or server;

d. The web portal must enable users to assess their language
proficiency based on the Government of Canada Qualification
Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

e The web portal must provide language training content at the
levels A, B, and C in accordance with the Government of Canada
Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

f. The web portal must enable users to start their training at
the appropriate proficiency level based on the Government of
Canada Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

g. The web portal must enable users to prepare individually for
Second Language Evaluation tests (English and French) prescribed
by the Public Service Commission of Canada.

h. The web portal must be available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a
week/ 365 days a year;

i. The web portal must enable users to register and provide
personal data in an automated and secure environment;

j. The web portal must enable customization of access rights and
grouping of users;

k. The web portal must enable users to access their personal
profile via a password, including their training schedule
(number of hours of training per week and the course schedule
with the tutor);

l. The web portal must enable administrators to monitor
activities and usage of all users;

m. The web portal must enable administrators to download usage
reports;  

n. The web portal must enable administrators to track the hours
billed for any training session and enable administrators to
download invoices.

o. The web portal must ensure the security of personal data and
information.


3.3	Tutor Services Criteria

a. Tutoring services must deliver, enable and support bilingual
language training in French and English in accordance with the
Government of Canada Qualification Standards in Relation to
Official Languages; 

b. Tutoring services must enable students to maintain and
improve their language skills in accordance with Government of
Canada Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;

c. Tutoring services must be delivered on an as and when
requested basis in classroom, in virtual classroom and by
telephone;

d. Classroom tutoring must be provided to groups of up to 10
people;

e. Each virtual classroom must be able to accommodate a minimum
of 3 people simultaneously;

f. Telephone tutoring must be provided on an individual basis; 

g. Tutoring services must be available 5 days per week, from
Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 6 pm in all Time Zones
throughout Canada.

h. Tutoring services must be delivered by instructors who are
able to speak, read and write fluently in French and English.

i. Tutoring services must be delivered by instructors who each
hold a bachelor degree or a higher degree in education delivered
by a recognized institution***. 

*** Recognized institution: recognized by the Department of
Education of any Canadian province, or by either credential
assessment organizations listed on the following website:
http://www.cicic.ca/


3.4	Proficiency Level Evaluation Criteria

a. The Contractor must evaluate, online or by telephone, each
user to determine their proficiency level for each of the three
language skills (written comprehension in the second official
language; written expression in the second official language;
and oral proficiency in the second official language) according
to the Government of Canada Qualification Standards in Relation
to Official Languages
(http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/gui/squn03-eng.asp);

b. Once the evaluation is completed, the Contractor must submit
the results to the administrator and provide a training plan
tailored to the proficiency level of each user(levels A, B, or C
and the estimated number of hours of training).


4.	Applicability of the trade agreements to the procurement

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements:

a. Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT);

b. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);

c. World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government
Procurement (WTO-AGP).


5.	Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

The pre-identified supplier was selected based on the following
capabilities:

LRDG is the only known supplier capable of offering a fully
interactive self-study computer-based language training
delivered via a self-contained software product installed on
individual computers (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) and a computer-based
language training delivered via a web portal, in French and
English, which include audio and video segments, self-assessment
capabilities, exercises, reference manuals, and a tutor-led
language training delivered by qualified instructors, in
classroom, in virtual classroom, and by telephone. 


6.	Government Contracts Regulations Exception

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations
is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6 (d) only one
person is capable of performing the work.


7.	Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

Exclusions and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under
the following agreements:

a. Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - Articles 506.12 (a) and
506.12 (b) under Annex 4.4;

b. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Article(s)
1016.2 (b) and 1016.2 (d);

c. World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government
Procurement (WTO-AGP) - Article XV (b).


8.	Ownership of Intellectual Property

Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of
the proposed contract will vest in the Contractor.


9.	Period of the proposed contract or delivery date

The proposed contract period is from date of contract award to
one (1) year inclusive, with an irrevocable option to extend the
period of contract by up to two (2) addtional periods of one (1)
year each, under the same terms and conditions.


10.	Cost estimate of the proposed contract

The estimated value of the contract, including the option, is
$1,354,940.00 (GST/HST included). 


11.	Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Language Research Development Group
1407, rue Saint-Alexandre
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2G3


12.	Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available
to provide the goods and services described in the ACAN may
submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact
person identified in this notice before the closing date.The
statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the
supplier meets the advertised requirements.


13.	Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities

The closing date and time for accepting statements of
capabilities is August 11, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EDT (Eastern
Daylight Time).


14.	Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed by
email to the following person:

Contracting Authority:	
Mohamed Souleiman
Supply Specialist

Address:	
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) 
Portage III, 10C1, unit XX, Laurier Street, 
Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0S5

Email: 	
Mohamed.Souleiman@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca


Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate
with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any
questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting
officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and
agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15)
calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it
intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a
pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or
before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets
the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority
may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of
Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the
ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full
tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available
to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a
statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person
identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this
Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate
how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the
closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the
envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile
transmission, on the covering page.

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.