Workstation Systems

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: This amendment is raised to change the solicitation closing date.

Draft Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

1.0 OBJECTIVES OF THIS RFI

PWGSC is requesting your feedback on the draft for Workstations Systems Purchase Description (PD-4). Your insight will help form the Government of Canada's approach to the procurement of Workstation Systems and to help facilitate the needs of government departments, agencies and crown corporations (government departments).

2.0 BACKGROUND

Based on a preliminary review of Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is pleased to release the draft Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4),which is based on initial review and consultation stage.

The new strategy is to develop Supply Arrangements (SAs) for all requirement values up to $10M. The Division has determined this method to be the more appropriate procurement instrument to better serve both Canada and the industry. We will be issuing an RFSA for the office-seating commodity this fall and will, in parallel, use this as a test case for the all other sub-commodities including interconnecting panels. If proven successful, the new MoS will be used for interconnecting panels through a competitive process. We expect that the review of the new MoS will be completed within the next year.

The objective of this draft Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4) is to provide a uniform and consistent approach that when implemented, will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement process of Workstation Systems for government departments, suppliers and Canadians.

Government departments and suppliers are encouraged to review the details and provide comments. All comments will be taken into consideration when finalizing the Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4). The Government of Canada values your feedback and appreciates your interest and participation in the Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4).

3.0 NATURE OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

This RFI is an industry consultation document intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFI. This is not a bid solicitation.

This RFI will not result in the award of any contract, therefore, 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 lists. Every supplier has the option to respond to this RFI, and their decision 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 not considered as an authorization by PWGSC for suppliers to undertake any work that would result in costs to the Government of Canada.

4.0 NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Respondents are requested to provide their responses to the Industry questionnaire, raise any concerns and, where applicable, make recommendations on how the requirements described in draft Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4) could be achieved. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

5.0 RESPONSE COSTS

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

6.0 TREATMENT OF RESPONSES

Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by the Government of Canada to modify procurement strategies or any draft documents related to this RFI. The Government of Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. The Government of Canada may, at its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.

Review Team: A review team composed of representatives from various Sectors within the Department of Public Works and Government Services will review the responses. The Government of Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources, which it deems necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.

Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. The Government of Canada will treat those portions of the responses as confidential to the extent permitted by the Access to Information Act.

Follow-up Activity: The Government of Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.

7.0 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

Responses to this RFI may be in either of the official languages of Canada, French or English.

8.0 CONTENT OF THIS RFI

This RFI contains the draft Workstation Systems Purchase Description (PD-4), environmental questionnaire and Qualified Products list, along with a series of related questions. The Purchase Description remains a work in progress and respondents should not assume that recommendations will be / not be added to any bid solicitations that are ultimately published by the Government of Canada. Respondents should not assume that any of the clauses or requirements will be deleted or revised.

Comments regarding any aspect of the draft PD-4, environmental questionnaire and Qualified Products list, are welcome.

9.0 INQUIRIES

Since this is not a bid solicitation, the Government of Canada will not necessarily respond to inquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their inquiries as stated below.

10.0 SUPPLIER FEEDBACK AND SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

The Furniture Division of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), will be facilitating the input received from suppliers on this strategy.

Timely delivery and correct direction of responses is the sole responsibility of the respondent. PWGSC will not assume or have transferred to it those responsibilities.

Send your comments in either official language of Canada to Bid Receiving - PWGSC on or before February 27, 2013. Delivery Date: 13/03/2013

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.