Modernization of the Translation Bureau directory - Supply Arrangements

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) 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: Modernization of the Translation Bureau directory - Supply Arrangements (SA) for Translation services

The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises and Strategic Engagement (OSME-SE), Acquisitions Branch (AB) and the Translation Bureau of Public Works and Government Services Canada have held a number of consultations with suppliers since 2007 to provide context regarding translation services within the federal government and to obtain feedback on current and future procurement methods. In addition, the Translation Bureau have conducted a number of studies in recent years to gather information on the language industry in Canada and abroad and to survey the capacity of the private sector to provide the Government of Canada with linguistic services.

A common recommendation that emerged from the various studies and consultations was to establish a national procurement strategy for linguistic services and review contracting methods for this business line.

Supply arrangements (SA)

In order to modernize its directory of translation suppliers, the Translation Bureau, together with AB is launching a Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) for Translation services and other linguistic services related to translation. The modernization aims to improve the quality of the directory and its operations, both for the Translation Bureau and for suppliers.

A Supply Arrangement (SA) is a procurement method used by PWGSC to expeditiously process individual bid solicitations resulting in contracts for the delivery of the goods and services required. SAs save suppliers and Canada time by pre qualifying solicited suppliers and establishing and communicating essential clauses and conditions in advance.

SAs will enable the Translation Bureau to obtain bids and award contracts using a pool of pre qualified suppliers for specific requirements, with a larger emphasis on quality, within the scope of the SA.

SAs will help the Translation Bureau divide its requirements based on suppliers' capacity and streamline the solicitation process to make contracts available, in a fair and equitable manner, to small and medium enterprises, regardless of whether they are independent freelance translators or translation firms.

AB and the Translation Bureau invite translation suppliers to actively participate in activities related to this procurement process for renewing the Bureau's directory.

Next steps

September 2013: Publication of a letter of interest and draft RFSA documents.

October 2013: Industry consultations. Members of the language industry will be invited to provide feedback on the Bureau's RFSA project.

November 2013: Official publication of the RFSA on Buyandsell.gc.ca and start of the official solicitation process.

Spring 2014: Launch of the Translation Bureau directory.

Suppliers are encouraged to visit Buyandsell.gc.ca frequently to keep abreast of the progress of the project.

For more information on SAs, please consult the "For Businesses" tab (https://buyandsell.gc.ca/for-businesses) on Buyandsell.gc.ca.

If you have any questions or comments on the Translation Bureau's Request For Supply Arrangement project, please contact France Cardinal at 819-956-1778 or france.cardinal@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

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.