Request for Information – Parks Canada: Conservation economy assessment for potential candidate sites

5P420-23-0024/A - Request for Information – Parks Canada: Conservation economy assessment for potential candidate sites

1. Purpose The Government of Canada is committed to protect 25% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2025 and 30% by 2030. In support of this commitment, Parks Canada has a goal of establishing 10 new national parks/national park reserves in Canada by 2026. As part of the establishment process, some candidate areas will require a feasibility assessment. In the past, Parks Canada has used feasibility assessments as part of the decision making process when establishing national parks and national park reserves. More recently, the concept of building and supporting a conservation economy related to the protected area has come to the forefront. Parks Canada is seeking to employ the most current approaches to assess feasibility in areas north of 55. Parks Canada is launching a Request for Information (RFI) process inviting suppliers to review and respond to the scope of a conservation economy assessment for potential candidate sites. Reponses received may inform and support potential feasibility studies for candidate areas.

1.1. Background Some of the candidate sites that may be assessed for national park/national park reserve feasibility may overlap regions that have existing, or the potential, for resource based economies that rely on extractive uses, such as, forestry, mining, hydroelectric and oil and gas. In the past, the most common societal approach to measure nature’s contribution to community well-being has been generally limited to resource extraction. Parks Canada is seeking to better understand the scope and potential of the conservation economy as a viable tool for social and economic development during the feasibility analysis process to help inform potential future contract requests.

2. Nature of Request for Information This is not a bid solicitation and this RFI will not result in the award of any contract. Procurement of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this request.

Respondents and potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not earmark stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. This RFI will not result in the creation of any source list; therefore, whether or not any supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement.

3. Nature and Format of Responses Requested Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements described in the 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 list and explain any assumptions that they make in their responses.

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

5. Treatment of Responses a) Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by PCA to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents. PCA may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date. b) Review Team: A review team composed of representatives from PCA will review the responses. Canada reserves the right to 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 clearly mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will treat those portions of the responses as confidential. Individual responses will not be shared with other respondents. d) Post-Submission Review Meetings: Canada may request individual Post-Submission Review Meetings with respondents to provide clarity on information provided. If required, requests will be handled via email and Canada will determine whether it requires additional information from any given respondent. 6. Contents of this RFI Respondents are requested to note that the draft Statement of Work (SOW) referenced below, remains a work in progress and 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. Comments regarding any aspect of the draft document are welcomed.

6.1 This RFI contains the following documents: a) Annex A – Questions to the Industry

7. Format of Responses Title Page

The name and address of the respondent. i. The name, address and telephone number of the responder’s contract; ii. The date; and iii. The RFI number.

Annex A – Questions to the Industry i. Provide information and responses following the numbering scheme if commenting on specific sections and/or providing responses to the questions. ii. Attach any additional pages for comments, technical specification explanations or additional details.

If applicable, an appendix containing additional graphs, product brochures, detailed technical specifications, etc.

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

Contracting Authority: Ryan Taylor Email: Email: ryan.taylor@pc.gc.ca Tel: (587) 436-5987

9. Submissions Please submit your RFI electronically by email or fax.

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.