TSPS SOSA request for information

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Competitive Procurement Strategy: 
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

Reason for Amendment:

1. To update and add to the Insurance Requirements of the Task-based Supply Arrangement and the Standing Offer.  The relevant changes can be found in Section 14 of Component II, Part A - Supply Arrangement, and in Section 14 of Component III, Part A - Standing Offer.

2. To remove Annex D: Insurance Requirements from Component II: Resulting Supply Arrangement, Bid Solicitation and Model Resulting Contract Clauses and to remove all references to Annex D throughout the RFSA/RFSO.

3. To include the option for Canada to add, modify or remove Categories/Streams in future refreshes or re-competitions of the Task-based Supply Arrangement and Standing Offer.  The relevant changes can be found in Section 4 of Component I, Part 1 -General Information.

4. To extend the Request for Information closing date from October 12, 2016 to October 14, 2016, 14:00 EDT.
_________________________________________________________________

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 

Regarding the Request for Task-based Supply Arrangements and Request for Standing Offer (RFSA/RFSO) Re-competition under the TASK AND SOLUTIONS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (TSPS) Method of Supply

1. Background and Purpose of thisRequest for Information (RFI)

The purpose of this RFI is to provide information to potential bidders to the changes planned to the TSPS Request for Task-based Supply Arrangements (RFSA) and Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) Re-competition due to:

a) ongoing developments in the Professional ServicesNational Procurement Strategy, 
b) the continued harmonization efforts between Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)’s professional services methods of supply, and:
c) the successful deployment of the ProServices Supply Arrangement for contracts valued below the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) threshold. 

All potential bidders are being provided with a draft solicitation document open to industry comments, and the below overview of changes incorporated into this new TSPS solicitation.

It is anticipated that the RFSA/RFSO for Task-based requirements will be published on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) with a tentative schedule as follows: 

RFSA/RFSO and RFSA Issued: to be determined
RFSA/RFSO andRFSA Closing: to be determined
Resulting SA and/or SO Awards: no later than March 31, 2017

2. Nature of Request for Information

This is not a bid solicitation. 

This RFI will not result in theaward of any Supply Arrangements (SA) or Standing Offers (SO). Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list.  Potential suppliers of services described in this RFI should not allocate resources as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Furthermore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the services described in this RFI will not necessarily followthis RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFI.

3. Contents of RFI

This RFI contains a draft RFSA/RFSO for Task-based requirements. This documents remain works in progress and respondents should not assume that new clauses orrequirements will not be added to any RFSA/RFSO that are ultimately published by Canada. Nor should respondents assume that none of the clauses or requirements contained in the attached draft document will be deleted or revised. Comments regarding any aspect of the draft document are welcome.

4. Overview of Changes From Previous Solicitations

The following list of important changes is not intended to be complete or comprehensive and should not beused by potential bidders as a substitute for a review of the attached RFSA/RFSO in its entirety: 

i. Paper bids will no longer be required or received by Canada (for further details, please see Component I of the RFSA/RFSO).

ii. In the case of a Joint Venture, all members must now meet the Three Years in Business Minimum Requirement (for further details, please see Attachment A to Component I of the RFSA/RFSO).

iii. Detailed project summaries will no longer be required of New Bidders.  Project-based substantiation is being replaced with a reference check process (for further details, please see Attachment A to Component I of the RFSA/RFSO).

iv. The combination of project minimums and project contract values required in previous solicitations has been replaced with a Confirmation of Business Volume (for further details, please see Attachment A to Component I of the RFSA/RFSO).

v. Detailed bidding instructions for the Data Collection Component (DCC) of the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) ePortal have been provided (for further details, please see Attachment C to Component I of the RFSA/RFSO).

vi. Additional Resulting Contract Clauses have been identified in the case of the Task-based Supply Arrangement (for further details, please see Part C of Component II of the RFSA/RFSO).

5. Nature of Responses Requested

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied. Respondents are also invited to provide comments regarding the content, format and/or organization of any draft documents included in this RFI. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

6. Response Costs

Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.

7. Duration of the Request For Information

Respondents should provide their responses to the information contained in this RFI before the closing date and time indicated on page1 of this RFI.  

8. Treatment of Responses

(a) Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, Canada may use responses to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date and time. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date and time.

(b) Review Team: A review team composed of representatives of PWGSC will review the responses. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review allresponses.

(c) Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act

(d) Follow-up Activity: Canadamay, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.

9. Submission and Format of Responses

Responses should:

a) be submitted electronically in PDF via email to the TSPS Team at the following email address: tpsgc.spts-tsps.pwgsc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca;
b) be submitted on or before 2:00 pm, October 12, 2016; 
c) include the respondent’s company name, email, and the name of the primary point of contact; and
d) indicate this RFI number in the subject line.

Respondents are solely responsible for the delivery of their responses in the manner and time prescribed.  Responses received after the above time and date may not be considered.

10. Enquiries

Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential bidders. However, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries in writing to:

Contracting Authority:  Claudia Charland
E-mail Address: tpsgc.spts-tsps.pwgsc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Facsimile: (819) 956-9235
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.