TSPS SA Solutions-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 Solutions-based Supply Arrangement.  The relevant changes can be found in Part 6, “Supply Arrangement, Bid Solicitation and Resulting Contract Clauses”, Section 6.14 “Insurance Requirements”, as well as in Annex D “Insurance Requirements”.

2. To include the option for Canada to add, modify or remove Streams in future refreshes or re-competitions of the Solutions-based Supply Arrangement.  The relevant changes can be found in Part 1, General Information, Section 1.5, Streams.

3. 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 Solutions-based Supply Arrangements (RFSA) Re-competition 
under the TASK AND SOLUTIONS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (TSPS) Method of Supply

1. Background and Purpose of this Request for Information (RFI)
The purpose of this RFI is to provide information to potential bidders to the changes planned to the TSPS Request for Solutions-based Supply Arrangements Re-competition due to:

a) ongoing developments in the Professional Services National Procurement Strategy; and 
b) the continued harmonization efforts between Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)’s professional services methods of supply.

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 for Solutions-based requirements will be published on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) with a tentative scheduleas follows: 

RFSA Issued: to be determined
RFSA Closing: to be determined
Resulting SA Award: no later than March 31, 2017

2. Nature of Request for Information

This is not a bid solicitation. 

This RFI will not result in the award of any Standing Offers (SO) or Supply Arrangements (SA). 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 follow this RFI. ThisRFI 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 for Solutions-based requirements. This document remain works in progress and respondents should not assume that new clauses or requirements will not be added to any RFSA that is 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 be used by potential bidders as a substitute for a review of the attached RFSA 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).

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. Canada is extending the end dates of SA’s resulting from this RFSA making them valid from date of SA issuance until such time as Canada no longer deems them necessary.  As such, following this RFSA Re-competition, existing suppliers will no longer need to respond to annual re-compete solicitations to continue to qualify.  Rather, supplier continued compliance (security, integrity, certifications, etc.) will be validated on a regular basis at the discretion of the SA Authority through an Evergreen Certification. Periodic qualification opportunities (i.e. Refresh) will remain enabling new suppliers to qualifyand suppliers who are already qualified to qualify for additional streams.

iv. Project summaries will now be entered by bidders via the Data Collection Component (DCC) of the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) ePortal (for further details, please see Attachment A to Part 4 of the RFSA).

v. In addition to the combined project contract value minimums needed to successfully prequalify for each Stream, an overall Financial Certification is a requirement for New Bidders (forfurther details, please see Attachment A to Part 4 of the RFSA).

vi. 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 B to Part 4 of the RFSA).

vii. Additional Resulting Contract Clauses of the SA have been identified (for further details, please see Article C of Part 6 of the RFSA).

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/ororganization 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 page 1 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 all responses.

(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: Canada may, 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.