Canada Student Loans Program Re-procurement

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall Proposal Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: Canada Student Loans Program Re-procurement G7514-120001/D Request for Proposal (RFP) Canada Student Loans Program

PURPOSE The Government of Canada is issuing this Request For Proposal (RFP) for the purposes of contracting with one Service Provider (SP) to provide financial and related services for the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) for loans made pursuant to the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act.

The Canada Student Loans Program was created in 1964 to promote access to post-secondary education to individuals with a demonstrated financial need. Since its inception, the CSLP has provided more than $21.1 billion in loans to over 3.4 million individuals. In terms of the direct loans portfolio, the CSLP annually serves approximately 350,000 full-time and part-time students and has approximately 1.6 million borrowers-in-repayment. The CSL direct loan portfolio is valued at $6.8 billion in loans, of which approximately $3.2 billion are in repayment. The requirements for the program are legislated through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (CSFAA), 1994, and the Canada Student Loan Program Act (CSLP Act).

All provinces and territories participate in the CSLP, with the exception of Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. These jurisdictions administer their own assistance programs and receive an alternative payment from the Government of Canada.

The scope of the potential procurement includes the administration of the: ? Canada Student Loans Program (Direct Financing which has taken place since 2000); ? The Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loans Program; ? The Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loans Program; ? The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Integrated Student Loans Program; ? The Canada-New Brunswick Integrated Student Loans Program; · The Canada-British Columbia Integrated Student Loans Program; and ? The potential future additions of other Integrated Student Loans Programs and/or student financial assistance products (e.g. grants).

The Service Provider will administer borrower accounts starting from when the loan agreement is signed through to full repayment of the loan, while ensuring security to private and personal borrower information. This will include providing financial and related services such as verifying the loan agreement, managing the in-study interest free period, and handling loan repayment. The Service Provider will be responsible for sending letters to borrowers, notifying borrowers of their debt consolidation, reception of borrower payments and detailing their repayment responsibilities.

The Service Provider will also provide lower level case management, including responding to borrower calls and rehabilitating loans that fall into delinquency. The Service Provider also would be expected to provide online services, services in both official languages and service to persons with special needs.

The Service Provider will have the capability and expertise to provide an end-to-end solution. This solution is sought to achieve the following objectives: ? Timely delivery of consistent, accurate and appropriate services; ? Consolidate loans; ? Minimize loan defaults ? Rehabilitate loans in distress; ? Maintain a high level of client satisfaction (borrower and program); and ? Ensure the security and privacy of personal and private borrower information.

PERIOD OF THE CONTRACT Canada intends to award one contract resulting from this procurement. The length of the initial contract period will be 8 years, with options to extend the contract period for up to 84 months, in increments of no less than 6 months, for a total of up to 15 years.

NOTE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS ? This RFP contains security requirements. ? This RFP includes a mandatory Aboriginal Benefits requirement. ? This RFP includes a mandatory Canadian Content requirement. ? This RFP imposes a restriction that all Work must be performed in Canada, by a company/entity incorporated in Canada.

Information or documentation provided to, or obtained by, the Bidder from any source prior to the date of this RFP has no force or effect in relation to this RFP. No payment will be made for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this Request for Proposal.

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY All inquiries, responses and other communications related to this Request for Proposal shall be forwarded to the Contracting Officer at:

Robert Crober PWGSC, Acquisitions Branch, STAMS Special Procurement Initiatives Directorate Place Du Portage, Phase III, 12C1 11 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0S5 Tel: (819)956-1206 Fax: (819)956-3156 E-mail: Robert.crober@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.