Request for Information (RFI) - STANDING OFFERS FOR LANGUAGE TRAINING SERVICES

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA Tendering Procedures: Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: Yes Nature of Requirements: There is no change to the English version of the notice below. _________________________________________________________________ ___________________

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) REGARDING REGIONAL MASTER STANDING OFFERS (RMSO's) FOR LANGUAGE TRAINING SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

1. RFI OBJECTIVE

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is requesting the Industry feedback on the proposed attached Statements of Work for language training services that will be applicable across all regions of Canada, with the exception of the National Capital Region (NCR).

The purpose of this RFI is to provide the Industry with an early opportunity to assess and comment on the proposed requirements while reducing potential questions when the regional language training services request for standing offers (RFSO's) are posted.

Suppliers that have the capability to provide language training services in these regions are invited to take part in this RFI.

This RFI covers the following regions

1) Pacific (British Columbia and Yukon) 2) Western (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) 3) Ontario (Ontario, excluding the National Capital Region) 4) Quebec (Quebec, excluding the National Capital Region) 5) Atlantic (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island)

2. BACKGROUND

During the summer of 2012, PWGSC posted RFI EN578-093429/B on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS), currently provided through MERX, to obtain Industry feedback on language training requirements arising in the NCR. This new RFI is a supplement to RFI EN578-093429/B and aims to solicit supplier feedback on language training requirements arising in all other regions of Canada. The Statements of Work have been revised for this RFI to reflect specific regional requirements.

Respondents that have responded to RFI EN578-093429/B do not need to re-submit their responses to this RFI unless they have additional comments or information to provide. All comments received under RFI EN578-093429/B for all regions, both in the NCR and outside the NCR, have already been noted.

This RFI applies only to language training services that are most commonly required by government departments and for which RFSO's will be issued by PWGSC in early 2013. Another RFI will be issued in 2013 to obtain Industry comments to meet all other needs under a national Request for Supply Arrangements (RFSA).

The implementation of these tools is part of a larger and longer term National procurement Strategy that may have an impact on the way the Government of Canada procures language training services in the future. To this end, PWGSC plans on posting another RFI in 2013 to outline the new draft National procurement Strategy it is proposing for the procurement of language training services in Canada's official languages. This Strategy has been developed to provide an innovative, consistent and coherent national approach to the procurement of language training services.

Here is a summary of the various RFI's

Date RFI number Description Region Covered July 17 to September 10 2012 EN578-093429/B RFI regarding RMSO's for language training services in both English and French NCR only November 2 2012 to December 14 2012 E6MON-120002 RFI regarding RMSO's for language training services in both English and French All regions, excluding the NCR 2013 To be determined RFI regarding Supply arrangements for language training services in both English and French All regions, including the NCR 2013 To be determined New draft national procurement strategy for language training services All regions, including the NCR

As stated above, a RFSO will be posted in early 2013 for each region. These RFSO's will take into account any comments received on the Statements of Work that are part of this RFI. The basis of selection in the RFSO will be based on the lowest evaluated price per point. The ranking methodology for the RMSO's will be based either on the right of first refusal or on a proportional basis. Potential suppliers are invited to provide comments on the proposed basis of selection and ranking methodology as part of their response to this RFI.

3. NATURE OF RFI

This RFI is a consultation document intended to solicit feedback from the 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. 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 not considered as an authorization by PWGSC to undertake any work that would result in costs to PWGSC.

4. NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, raise any concerns and, where applicable, make recommendations on how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

5. RESPONSE COSTS

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

6. TREATMENT OF RESPONSES

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

b) Review Team: A review team composed of representatives from various Sectors within the PWGSC will review the responses. 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.

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

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

7. OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

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

8. RFI CONTENT

This RFI contains drafts Statements of Work for language training regional requirements. These documents remain a work in progress and respondents should not assume that requirements will be added or will not be added to any bid solicitations that are ultimately published by Canada. Nor should respondents assume that none of the clauses or requirements will be deleted or revised.

9. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Responses must be sent to the individual named in Article 10 of this RFI by mail or by e-mail and must include:

1. the title and number of the RFI; 2. the name, title and address of the respondent; 3. the name, address and telephone number of the respondent's contact; 4. the date; and 5. the closing date of the RFI.

9.1.

a) Time for submission of responses

Suppliers interested in providing a response should deliver it to the individual named in Article 10 identified below as indicated by the time and date indicated on page 1 of this document.

b) Responsibility for Timely Delivery: Each respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response is delivered on time to the correct location.

c) Identification of Response: Each respondent should ensure that its name and return address, the solicitation number and the closing date appear legibly on the outside of the response.

9.2 Number of copies

Canada requests that respondents submit the following

- Responses submitted via e-mail: One (1) copy - Responses submitted via mail: Three (3) paper copies

10. 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 by mail or by e-mail to:

Emidio Almeida Supply Team Leader Supply and Compensation Directorate Quebec Region Public Works and Government Services Canada 800 rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, local 7300, Montréal, QC H5A 1L6 Emidio.Almeida@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca Téléphone | Telephone: (514) 496-5562 Télécopieur | Facsimile: (514) 496-3822

Any general question on doing business with PWGSC should be directed to the Office of Small and Medium Entreprises (OSME). We invite you to visit the website http://www.buysell.gc.ca where you will find information, tools and help completing the tasks related to selling to the Government of Canada, such as understanding how to sell to the government and registering your business.

You can locate seminars on doing business with the Government of Canada at the following link: https://buyandsell.gc.ca/event-calendar/all

We thank all participants for their continued interest and participation in the various procurement processes in support of language training services for the Government 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.