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Trade Agreement: NONE 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: Nature of Request for Information

This is not a bid solicitation. This Request for Information (RFI) will NOT result in the award of any contract. As a result, potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list. Therefore, 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 goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFI.

The existence of this RFI does not imply that the Government of Canada (Canada) has made a final decision on any of the initiatives discussed. The GOC may not select any of the equipment identified in any response nor proceed any further in any procurement action as a result of this RFI, and shall not be liable under any circumstances to any supplier who has prepared a response.

Purpose of this Request for Information

This RFI seeks information from vendors with respect to the evaluation criteria and pricing grid being proposed to assess bids in an upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP). Interested parties are encouraged to provide information they feel that the Canada should be aware of in determining the appropriate evaluation criteria and pricing grid.This RFI includes a draft version of the complete RFP.

Nature of Responses Requested

Respondents are at their own discretion in this regard, but Canada is seeking relevant information, simply and directly stated, in order to avoid undue work by respondents and undue effort by Canada to analyze the results.

Responses from potential suppliers to this RFI will assist Canada in formulating a procurement strategy that meets Canada's business and operational requirements. Respondents are requested to review the draft RFP particularly the evaluation criteria and grid, Annex B Basis of payment and provide feedback as to whether the criteria are too restictive and if the pricing breakdown is fair and reasonable. Only written responses will be accepted.

Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

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 Annex A.

Respondents should note that Annex A is a draft document and remains a work in progress. Respondents should not assume that components or requirements could not be added to, deleted or revised in any bid solicitation that could ultimately be issued by Canada. Comments regarding any aspect of the draft document are welcome.

Format of Responses

Cover Page: If the response includes multiple volumes, respondents are requested to indicate on the front cover page of each volume the title of the response, the RFI number, the volume number and the full legal name of the respondent.

Title Page: The first page of each volume of the response, after the cover page, should be the title page, which should contain: * the title of the respondent's response; * the name and address and email of the respondent; * the name, address, email and telephone number of the respondent's contact; * the date; and * the RFI number.

Number of Copies: submit one hard copy (one [1] soft copy may be required to be provided upon request by the Contracting Authority.)

If there is a discrepancy between the wording of the soft copy and the hard copy, the wording of the hard copy will have priority over the wording of the soft copy.

Response Costs

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

Treatment of Responses

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.

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.

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. Canada reserves the right to invite any or all respondents to present their submissions to this RFI and/or perform a product demonstration. 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:

Contracting Authority: Janet Werk E-mail Address: janet.werk@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca Telephone: 613-998-3968 Facsimile: 613-993-2581

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.

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.