RFI-ACCOMMODATION DIRECTORY

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: RFI Overview

This is a Request for Information (RFI) and does not constitute a commitment on Canada's part to issue a subsequent Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) related to the Accommodation portion of the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD) Program. The RFI document and any responses received hereto in no way constitute an obligation on the part of Canada to enter into Contract(s) with one or more parties. Responses to the RFI will enable Canada to evaluate the strategy to be taken, if any, regarding further related activities. This is not a bid solicitation and responses will not be formally evaluated. Advisory notices will be posted on Buyandsell as further information is made available. PWGSC solicits information in this matter solely for its own benefit to inform the structuring of subsequent RFSOs, and makes no promise that an award of business will be made to respondents. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to matters described therein. Information provided will not be attributed to its source, but may be publicized in a manner that does not disclose the provider. Proprietary information will be protected in accordance with Federal policies. Responses will be kept strictly confidential, subject to the provisions of the Access to Information Act, and will be retained to support further development of internal planning documents and decisions, and possibly RFSOs. Please note that responses to the RFI will not be returned.

The Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD) Program is managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). Current Identified Users of the Directory consist of a number of Federal Government Departments, Agencies and Boards, as well as some Provincial Governments and Territories. The ACRD negotiated rates are used by the Identified Users while on official Government business travel authorized by Federal, Provincial or Territorial Governments and paid or reimbursed from public funds in accordance with Government Travel Policy. Although the ACRD allow users to procure accommodation and car rental services, this RFI is related to accommodation services only.

Each year in July, PWGSC publishes on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS), now referred to as Buyandsell, two (2) competitive Requests for Standing Offers (RFSO), Regular Markets and Select Markets, that result in the issuance of approximately 2,000 Standing Offers (SO) for short term accommodation, 30 days or less, in Canada, USA and overseas. These RFSOs are also mailed to suppliers from a source list maintained by PWGSC. The resulting SOs provide for accommodation choices for the following year under the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory available on the Internet.

During the last several years, changes have occurred in the industry while PWGSC's way to procure these accommodation services has remained relatively the same. The industry has been moving to new media, using own or third-party websites (Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, etc.) or electronic travel agencies (Travel i2000). Also, new categories of reservation have been available such as pre-paid with no refund or no cost cancellation possibilities at different time prior to reserved check-in date, which were not available before. Room categories have been diversified as hotels have been offering different categories of rooms to fulfill the traveler's needs. The Industry has also migrated to a higher use of technology to optimize occupancy and price. Prices may change several times before the date of occupancy. PWGSC would like to see if it can also benefit of better conditions and prices.

PWGSCCanada wants to maximize the value and choice through a more dynamic way to conduct procurement of short term accommodation for federal employees travelling. CanadaPWGSC is looking to modernize and streamline its process in order to increase efficiencies while providing safe, clean and comfortable accommodation to Government travellers at the lowest price.

Prior to implementing significant changes to its process and requirement, PWGSC would like to hear suggestions from the hotel industry. Towards this, PWGSC is engaging with industry and soliciting feedback on a series of questions or any other input industry may have to offer. The intention is for us (PWGSC) to take into account and consider such feedback from industry as we modernize and streamline our process. Canada is open to new ideas coming from the industry.

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.