NL IN HOUSE FRENCH LANGUAGE TRG

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with
Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
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: 
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 Requirement

2.1	Background 

In the past Federal Government Departments have used the
services of the Canada School of Public Services (CSPS) to
provide second language training for their employees. As of
April 2012, (CSPS) ceased to provide second language training
services to Federal employees, leaving departments to source
those training services in their geographical area.
  
To fill this void, in April 2012, the NL Region contracted
through a personal services contract, an individual to design,
implement and monitor the quality and delivery of a French
language training (FLT) program for the Region. After comparing
the cost and training materials used by various service
providers, a pilot program was launched in September 2012, to
test the effectiveness of the French language training program
offered by Language Research Development Group (LRDG) in order
to build the bilingual capacity in the NL Region. The pilot
consisted of 18 full-time and part-time participants. The
product met the expectations as for the quality and the cost for
the training..
  
In contrast to the more traditional classroom-based instruction
offered by other service providers, LRDG is a technology-based
training approach using online software supplemented by
one-on-one tutoring via teleconference provided by qualified
LRDG tutors. The online training software also permits
self-learning which is not possible in the traditional training
setting employed by other service providers.  

2.2	Objective

The objective is to provide full-time and part-time second
language training, in French and English to employees of
Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Newfoundland in order to: 

ensure that clients can be served in the official language of
their choice;
ensure the quality of our services in both official languages;
promote the use of both official languages in the workplace; and
establish a bilingual workplace.

2.3 	Scope of Work

The solution is to comprise of five components: 

a computer-based training delivered via a self-contained
software product installed on individual computers (CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM); 
a subscription-based training delivered via a web portal; 
a tutor-led training delivered to individual by telephone;
a language proficiency level evaluation delivered by a web
portal and an ongoing evaluation on             student's
progress.
A tutor-led online training delivered in a classroom (if
required) 

The proposed solution must also comply with the following
principles: 

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). 
The second language training must be flexible to accommodate
different employee schedules.
Telephone training:

Estimated number of full-time students per year= 2 for an
estimated number of 832 hours
Estimated number of part-time students per year= 10-11 for an
estimated number of 520 hours

d)	Estimated number of perpetual licenses required *per year: 7

* Perpetual licenses: a perpetual license must allow DFO to use
the licensed software indefinitely. It must allow DFO to
download all updated to the software and to receive technical
support. After the one year period ends, DFO can choose to
remain with the last version downloaded or to purchase a one (1)
year updates and support package, for 20% of the license
price.There a 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-based software 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

2.5 	Contractor's Responsibilities

The Contractor must hold all intellectual property rights for
the software, the web-based software and for all teaching
materials; 
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 (tutor calls the
candidate);
For the tutor-led online training delivered in a classroom, the
Contractor must provide teaching aids such as pocket
dictionaries and English and French verb conjugation books at no
additional cost to DFO;
The Contractor must provide technical assistance for the
software and the web-based software at no additional cost to
DFO. The technical assistance for the software and the web-based
software must be available 5 days per week, from Monday to
Friday, between 9 am and 4 pm;
The Contractor must deliver the software package (CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM, and the software documentation) to the Technical
Authority, 10 calendar days following the issuing of a Task
Authorization;
The Contractor must replace any defective CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
within 5 calendar days at no additional cost to DFO;
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;
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 	DFO's Responsibilities

DFO will provide the facilities and equipment required for the
tutoring.  
DFO must ensure that each user is following its training plan as
scheduled;
DFO's users must provide a 24 hours notice to the Contractor to
cancel a training session with an instructor.

2.7 	Travel

No travel will be involved but if needed, the Contractor is
responsible to cover the cost associated with it.
3.	Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

3.1 	Software Criteria

The software must deliver, enable and support bilingual language
training in French and English; 
The software must enable users to maintain and improve their
language skills in accordance with the Government of Canada
Qualifications Standards in Relation to Official Languages;
The software must provide a fully interactive self-study
modular, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM based French and English language
training program;
The software must provide language software with all run time
licenses required for proper execution included in the DVD or CD
package;
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;
The software must enable users to assess their language
proficiency based on the Government of Canada Qualification
Standards in Relation to Official Languages;
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;
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;
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

The web portal must deliver, enable and support bilingual
language training in French and English; 
The web portal must enable users to maintain and improve their
language skills in accordance with Government of Canada
Qualifications Standards in Relation to Official Languages;
The web portal must be able to run and function properly within
the technical environment described above, including any laptop,
desktop or server;
The web portal must enable users to assess their language
proficiency based on the Government of
Canada Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages;
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;
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;
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.
The web portal must be available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week/
365 days a year;
The web portal must enable users to register and provide
personal data in an automated and secure environment;
The web portal must enable customization of access rights and
grouping of users;
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);
The web portal must enable administrators to monitor activities
and usage of all users;
The web portal must enable administrators to download usage
reports;  
The web portal must enable administrators to track the hours
billed for any training session and enable administrators to
download invoices;
The web portal must ensure the security of personal data and
information.

3.3 	Tutor Services Criteria

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; 
Tutoring services must enable students to maintain and improve
their language skills in accordance with Government of Canada
Qualifications Standards in Relation to Official Languages;
Tutoring services must be delivered on an as and when requested
basis, in virtual classroom and by telephone;
Each online classroom must be able to accommodate a minimum of 3
people simultaneously and a maximum of 10 if required;
Telephone tutoring must be provided on an individual basis; 
Tutoring services must be available 5 days per week, from Monday
to Friday, between 8 am and 6 pm;
Tutoring services must be delivered by instructors who are able
to speak, read and write fluently in French and English;
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

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);
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:

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT);
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);
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-based software, in French
and English, which include audio and video segments, self
assessment capabilities, exercises, reference materials, 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:

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - Articles 506.12 (a) and
506.12 (b) under Annex 4.4;
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Article(s) 1016.2
(b) and 1016.2 (d);
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 is for a period of one (1) year inclusive
from the date of award, with an irrevocable option to extend the
period by one (1) additional period of one (1) year, under the
same terms and conditions. 

10. 	Cost estimate of the proposed contract

The total estimated value of the contract, included option year,
is $200,000.00 (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 October 31, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. 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.