Acquisition Card

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Attachment: None
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall  Proposal
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
PROJECT TITLE: Acquisition Card
     
BACKGROUND 

As the Receiver General (RG), the Minister of Public Works and
Government Services Canada (PWGSC) manages the operations of the
federal treasury, including payments and revenue collection on
behalf of various federal government departments.  PWGSC
consolidates the management of the government's payments and
revenue collection so as to achieve the most competitive rates
for services available from Canada's financial institutions
(FI's).  

A contract is sought to continue the Purchase/Acquisition Card
(p-card) program through a new contract with at least two
service providers that represent major, globally recognized and
accepted credit card companies.

Canada is increasing its reliance on card based systems as it
continues to seek new and innovative methods to streamline
financial and administrative operations.  The acquisition card
is one tool that will help us automate our business processes by
replacing paper-based processes with electronic systems.  
Canada is seeking to select the service provider (s) who most
fully meets the requirements identified in this Request for
Proposal.
There are approximately 125 departments and agencies using the
p-card program, each of which has a program administrator or
departmental coordinator.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the Canada's Acquisition Card program are to:

i)	     Gain cost efficiencies;
ii)	     Provide efficiency and convenience through single-card
capability;
iii)	     Improve operations, particularly accountability and
performance reporting;
iv)	     Provide procedural checks to improve security and
management control on 		                    financial
transactions and processes;
v)	     Improve cash management practices;
vi)	     Consolidate payments where possible;
vii)	     Streamline ordering, procurement, payment and
administrative procedures;
viii)	      Obtain detailed and tailored management reports; 
ix)	     Take advantage of state-of-art technology and
technological advances; and,
x)	     Maximize revenue sharing.

PERIOD OF CONTRACT

The period of the Contract will be for four (4) years from date
of Contract with an irrevocable option to extend the period of
the Contract by two (2) additional one (1) year period under the
same terms and conditions.

SECURITY REQUIREMENT

There is no security associated with this requirement.

MANDATORY CRITERIA

MT1: The Bidder must have a minimum of five (5) years experience
as an acquisition card provider;

MT2: The Bidder must provide a detailed marketing plan for the
Government Acquisition Card program.  The Bidder must detail
their level of commitment and participation on the required
staffing for marketing in compliance with the Statement of Work,
Section 3.8;

MT3: The Bidder must offer a major card brand such as
MasterCard, Visa or American Express;
MT4: The Bidder must be compliant with payment card industry
(PCI) data security standards (DSS).

BASIS OF SELECTION  

Basis of Selection - Highest Combined Rating of Technical Merit
(25%) and Rebate (75%)

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY

Name:  Jocelyne C Gagnon
	Title:  Supply Specialist
	Public Works and Government Services Canada
	Acquisitions Branch
	Directorate: Business Management and Consulting Services
Division 
	Address:11 Laurier Street, Portage III, 10C1, Ottawa, Ontario,
K1A 0S5

Telephone: (819) 956-0575
Facsimile:  (819) 956-2675
	E-mail address:  jocelyne.c.gagnon@tpsgc-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.