RFI - THIRD PARTY EXPERT ASSISTANCE

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA 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: RFI - THIRD PARTY EXPERT ASSISTANCE

EN578-132527/A Fox, Erin Telephone No. - (819) 997-7576 Fax No. - (819) 997-7310 E-mail - erin.fox@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to request that interested companies provide feedback and recommendations by way of written response to the questions posed in the RFI document (please order the associated component; see the link above). The questions posed are regarding a potential solicitation for the provision of Independent Third Party expertise and support to Canada's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) project offices.

Over the coming years, Canada will need to negotiate and manage several contracts under NSPS: ancillary contracts for understanding the ship design, engineering contracts for maturing the ship design, and build contracts for building and delivering the ships. In anticipation of these contracts, Canada has identified key areas where the support of an Independent Third Party Expert would help ensure that Canada achieves the most equitable, effective, and robust contracts possible, which contain acceptable levels of risk and provide value for money. Key areas identified include benchmarking of industry norms, shipbuilding expertise, and complex negotiation support. The knowledge and expertise provided by PWGSC and the Independent Third Party Expert would not overlap. Rather, the Third Party's contributions would supplement PWGSC's knowledge and expertise in these areas.

The following is indicative of some of the legislation, trade agreements and government policies that could impact any follow-on solicitations:

(a) Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP): may apply to any follow-on solicitations;

(b) Defence Production Act: may apply to any follow-on solicitations;

(c) Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRBs): IRBs may apply to any follow-on solicitations;

(d) Controlled Goods Program (CGP): the CGP may apply to any follow-on solicitations;

(e) Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity (FCP-EE): the FCP-EE will apply to any follow-on solicitations; and,

(f) Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements (CLCAs): CLCAs may apply to any follow-on solicitations.

For the complete RFI, please order the associated component (see the link above).

This PWGSC office provides procurement services to the public in both official languages. 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.