NRCan Warehousing & Distribution of printed matter and other material, variable on-demand printing.

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tendering Procedures: The bidder must supply Canadian goods and/or services Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall Proposal Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: Yes Nature of Requirements: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION on the Draft REQUEST FOR PROPSAL FOR WAREHOUSING and DISTRIBUTION of printed matter and other material for Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Amendment to NPP is to add the following information: Number of Copies: submit one hard copy and one (1) softcopy (on a USB, CD or DVD).

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

7.1 Submission of Responses

Time and Place for Submission of Responses: Respondents should send responses herein by the date specified on the front page of this RFI to PWGSC Bid receiving unit:

Public Works and Government Services Canada Bid Receiving Unit Place du Portage, Phase III Core 0A1 - 11 Laurier Street Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0S5

Responsibility for Timely Delivery: Each respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response is delivered on time to the correct location.

Identification of Response: Each respondent should ensure that its name and return address, the RFI number and the closing date appear legibly on the outside of the response.

Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. --------------------------------------------------

1. Nature of Request for Information This is a Request for Information (RFI) and not a bid solicitation. No Contract or Supply Arrangement will be issued as a result of this RFI; however, this RFI includes a Request for Industry Comments at Addendum A and the draft Request For Proposal (RFP)* at Addendum B. The written comments received by Canada will not be specifically shared or referred to in the final solicitation document and any comments provided as a result of this RFI should not contain any restrictions of use. All written comments and questions received by Canada will not be specifically shared or referred to in any resulting RFP. Canada acknowledges that any information collected will be utilized by Canada in an anonymous fashion. 2. Purpose of this RFI This RFI is issued for the purpose of: - Alerting industry to a future procurement action for the requirement for the warehousing of printed matter and other material, variable on-demand printing, real time order tracking, inventory control, order processing and order fulfillment, distribution of all material and reporting activity as well as operating NRCan's toll-free telephone line.

- Obtaining feedback from industry concerning the requirement and the planned procurement process;

- Obtaining feedback from industry concerning the 1) mandatory and rated criteria, and 2) the statement of work. 3. Background NRCan currently has a contract for these services which is set to expire at the end of the year. 4. REQUIREMENTS Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has provided warehousing, mailing, distribution and a toll-free line service to a variety of programs within NRCan since 2003. The NRCan Communications Branch is responsible for initiating and monitoring the warehousing, distribution, and toll-free line services. Requests for NRCan publications are received via regular mail, fax, toll-free line and the online distribution system. The Contractor must, at a minimum, provide the following services (as described in this Statement of Work): 1. Store the NRCan material in a monitored climate controlled warehouse and monitor any inventory kept in the warehouse over the term of the contract. All publications and promotional items will be produced under other contracts and NRCan Project Authority will arrange for them to be delivered to the Contractor's facility. Ample warehouse capacity must be available immediately to meet on going and seasonal peak storage requirements. 2. With direction from the NRCan Project Authority and Project Officers, establish the level of inventory required for each of the publications and promotional items. 3. Provide and maintain on the Contractor's internet ordering system separate interfaces for ordering by NRCan representatives and the public via the NRCan Internet. Take orders on an if and when received basis and provide complete order fulfilment including distribution to final destinations. 4. Provide assembly and kitting, mass mailing preparation, and distribution services as required. 5. Establish and maintain a bilingual toll-free line for order-taking service for NRCan, answer callers' questions based on information provided to the Contractor about NRCan programs and occaionally to request information from the caller based on question/information provided by NRCan. 6. Provide Inventory Management and electronic Inventory Reporting. 7. Provide a variety of comprehensive reports and quality control services. 8. Provide Information Technology support in the maintenance of web based systems. 9. Provide consulting services to NRCan for cost savings and gaining efficiencies in managing the supply and distribution of material. 10. Provide on-going liaison with NRCan Project Officers for the daily management of the supply of NRcan material. 11. Upon request, make digital copying of publications, brochures, fact sheets etc. to fulfil urgent requirements for exhibits, trade shows and other events. 13. Provide variable printing services in support of fulfilment and direct mail projects and variable printing for mass mailings of annual reports, or other Program material to multiple recipients of a targeted audience. 14. Provide a dedicated Project Manager who is available to meet with the NRCan Project Authority when requested to provide technical support and innovative solutions on distribution related matters.

5. Nature and Format of Responses Requested Responses from potential suppliers to the information requested in this RFI will assist PWGSC in formulating a procurement strategy that meets PWGSC's business and operational requirements. Respondents are requested to review Addendum B, and to submit written responses to the information requested in Addendum A. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses. In addition to providing responses to the information requested in Addendum B, respondents may submit comments, concerns, suggestions and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied or improved upon. Respondents may also submit comments regarding the content, format and/or organization of Addendum A. Respondents should not assume that new clauses or requirements will not be added to any bid solicitation that is ultimately published by Canada. Nor should respondents assume that none of the clauses or requirements will be deleted or revised. Number of Copies: submit one hard copy and one (1) softcopy (on a USB, CD or DVD).

Response Costs: Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI. 6. Treatment of Responses (a) Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada 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. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date. (b) Review Team: A review team composed of representatives from 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. 7. Enquiries and Submission of Responses This is not a bid solicitation. Accordingly, Canada will not respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI. Potential suppliers are not required to submit information under this RFI to qualify for any future bid solicitations for this requirement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. All enquiries and written responses to this RFI should be submitted to: Janet Werk PWGSC, Services and Specialized Acquisitions Management Sector (SSAMS) Communication Procurement Directorate 12-360 Albert Street Ottawa, Ontario KIA OS5 Telephone: 613-998-3968 Facsimile: 613-993-2581 E-mail: janet.werk@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

7.1 Submission of Responses

Time and Place for Submission of Responses: Respondents should send responses herein by the date specified on the front page of this RFI to PWGSC Bid receiving unit:

Public Works and Government Services Canada Bid Receiving Unit Place du Portage, Phase III Core 0A1 - 11 Laurier Street Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0S5

Responsibility for Timely Delivery: Each respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response is delivered on time to the correct location.

Identification of Response: Each respondent should ensure that its name and return address, the RFI number and the closing date appear legibly on the outside of the response.

Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

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.