Homeless and Veterans In Crisis Outreach Initiative

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid Attachment: None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Protection of Human, Animal, or Plant Life or Health Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada PO Box 214 53 Queen St Dartmouth Nova Scotia Canada B2Y3Y3 Nature of Requirements: Homeless and Veterans In Crisis Outreach Initiative

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Charlottetown Prince Edward Island, has a request for the following services:

Requirement: A number of Canadian veterans are homeless or in crisis and are in need of community and government services. As a result, Veterans Affairs Canada has a requirement to engage and enter into a contract for bilingual services to provide immediate telephone, on-line, and in person assistance to homeless veterans and all veterans in crisis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including all statutory holidays and weekends. Services must be provided in both official languages and must be national in scope covering all provinces as well as northern Canada, especially more densely populated areas including but not limited to: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, London, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.

Services required include the capacity to provide 24 hour a day coverage involving the dispatch of individuals or teams made up of ex-military or former Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel throughout Canada. Because there is normally a bond of trust between soldiers, ex-military and former RCMP personnel are expected to be advantaged in aiding homeless and in-crisis veterans.

The objective is to provide "one on one" interaction with homeless or in-crisis veterans by providing assistance in securing shelter, referral or escort to medical or substance treatment programs, peer support, coaching, or other related support as required. Additionally, services may include acting as an interface with various program or benefits available from the Government of Canada or outside organizations such as Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legions etc.

Criteria for Assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements): Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:

1. must currently have a broad national infrastructure necessary to support homeless and in-crisis veterans across all provinces as well as northern Canada; 2. must have immediate capacity to provide support and counseling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in person, on-line, and via the telephone, to veterans in the language of their choice; 3. must have experience and good working knowledge of available Government of Canada programs and benefits as well as other support systems available in relation to, but not limited to, securing temporary shelter, referrals for medical and substance treatment programs and peer support and coaching in support of homeless or in-crisis veterans; 4. individuals in direct contact with homeless or in-crisis veterans must consist of ex-military or former RCMP personnel across Canada.

Name and address of Proposed Supplier: Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada PO Box 214, 53 Queen Street Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 3Y3 Operating as: VETS Canada

Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier: VETS Canada is the only known organization uniquely qualified to meet the requirements of the services requested. They have working knowledge of the processes and procedures involved in providing support in interfacing with a wide variety of Government of Canada programs and benefits. In addition, VETS Canada currently have an established national infrastructure, contacts, networks, and the experience required to provide instant assistance to homeless or in-crisis veterans in person, on-line, or via the telephone. VETS Canada operates a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 365 days a year operation in both official languages with chapters in communities across Canada. Also, all VETS Canada's personnel, who are in direct contact with homeless or in-crisis veterans, are ex-military or former Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel which is expected to have an immediate benefit in providing assistance.

Government Contract Regulations Exceptions: The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement: Subsection 6 (d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work".

Applicability of the Trade Agreements: This procurement is not subject to any trade agreements.

Exclusions from the Trade Agreements: This requirement is excluded from the following trade agreements:

World Trade Organization-Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP): Annex B Services Covered for the WTO-AGP - Health and Social Services are NOT Covered.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Annex 1001.1b-2, Section B - Excluded Coverage - Section G - Health and Social Services.

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT): Annex C, Part IV, Annex 502.1B, Para 1 - "All services are covered except the following: (f) health services and social services.

Period of the Proposed Contract: From date of award for a twelve month period, with two separate and individual one year options to extend the contract period (3 years total).

Cost Estimated of the Proposed Contract: $900,000.00 including all option periods. HST is extra where applicable.

Security: This requirement is subject to Reliability Status Security Clearances.

Inquiries or submission of statements of capabilities are to be directed to: Colleen Skerry Team Leader, Acquisitions Public Works & Government Services Canada 1713 Bedford Row Halifax, N.S. B3J 3C9

Telephone: 902-496-5007 Fax: 902-496-5016 Email: colleen.skerry@pwgsc.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.