MULTI-TASKING AND DECISION-MAKING TESTING SOFTWARE SOLUTION

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid Attachment: None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: Biddle Consulting Group, Inc. 193 Blue Ravine Road Suite 270 Folsom California United States 95630 Nature of Requirements:

File No.: M7594-133730/A Contracting Auhtority: Dubé, Robert Telephone No. - (819) 956-0473 Fax No. - (819) 953-3703 E-mail: robert.dube@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

ADVANCED CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN) MULTI-TASKING AND DECISION-MAKING TESTING SOFTWARE SOLUTION

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of the requirement

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) requires a multi-tasking and decision-making Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software testing solution to effectively screen Telecommunications Operator applicants for the primary skills required for the performance in call taking and dispatching. Primary skills and abilities to be tested include: prioritization, keyboarding, data entry, auditory computation, vocalization, memory recall, cross-referencing, character comparison, decision making, summarization, character comparison, spelling, probability, map reading, sentence clarity, and reading comprehension.

The requirement also includes the following services: programming and customization for bilingual language requirements and associated maintenance and support services.

The solution and all its components must be available in both official languages (English and French) in accordance with the Government of Canada Official Languages Act; must meet all mandatory performance and minimum essential requirements stated below.

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements)

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that its solution meets the following requirements:

3.1 General Requirements

The objective of this contract is to provide a Software Solution which effectively meets the multi-tasking and decision-making task requirements related to the public-safety telecommunications operator work environment and which can provide validation and testing results for this field of work. This Software Solution will be implemented across Canada, for twenty Operational Communication Centres, as a recruiting/screening tool to select applicants for the selection process to become a Telecommunications Operator. This Software Solution may be utilized to provide validation and testing for public safety partners across Canada.

The Software Solution vendor must be an established solution vendor with an industry-recognized and industry utilized solution which closely simulates current North American emergency public-safety communications call taking and dispatching functionality and meets the RCMP's specific requirements.

3.2 Technical Requirements

A Multi-tasking and Decision-making Testing Software Solution that must deliver, enable and support the following: Software licence(s) to be provided to RCMP NHQ in Ottawa (which include up to 19 locations with up to 100 users per site) by March 15, 2014. The Software Solution must work, be complete and operate correctly for up to 100 users at a given time if accessed from a local network. Option for Maintenance and Support Services on Licensed Software. Software Solution, manuals and testing modules (audio and text) must be in both Official Languages (French and English) in accordance with Government of Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Qualification Standards in relation to Official Languages:http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/gui/squn03-eng.asp#section3. Or have a development plan to provide translation of the Software Solution outlined in the contract, upon contract approval.

Scores skills tests and provides results based on measureable benchmark pre-determined by industry tested standards or as identified by the RCMP for public-safety Telecommunications Operators. Includes Validation Wizard by which tests may be quickly and easily validated for use for personnel selection purposes using industry-accepted best H.R. practices. Includes wizard by which defensible, job-related cutoff scores may be set and utilized.

All skills tests to be available in both Official languages (English & French) or have a development plan to provide translation of the Software Solution outlined in the contract, upon contract approval.

Software Solution must have been tested and validated for a public-safety communications work environment. The original validity established during the construction of the selection tests may be transported to specific positions within the RCMP using the wizard contained within the software and further described in item "e" within this section.

The software solution must allow the test administrator to put together a battery of tests into a "test group" in which the tests will be administered, one after another, until the testing session is complete. The order in which the tests are administered may be dictated by the administrator.

Ability for implementation of Software Solution on a network which meets RCMP security and system requirements.

Ability for implementation of Software Solution using a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM installation.

Testing content to simulate emergency public-safety communications reporting scenarios in a generic format that requires no previous experience in order to display proficiency.

Decision-making and prioritization testing of tasks to be accurate and simulate emergency services field work and the public-safety communications operator in a generic format that requires no previous experience in order to display proficiency.

Test modules to be administered, scored and evaluated using the same standard for each user.

Standard audible and written test module instructions to be provided to each user in written and auditory form in accordance with Government of Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Qualification Standards in relation to Official Languages.

Sound files to be in clearly articulated in English, in accordance with Government of Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Qualification Standards in relation to Official Languages.

Sound files to be in clearly articulated in French, in accordance with Government of Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Qualification Standards in relation to Official Languages.

The software solution must present tests that are self-administering and self-scoring. The scores must be available for review by an administrator upon completion of each test.

The software solution must have a multiple-hurdle function that allows administrators to create batteries of tests that must be passed in order to proceed to other batteries.

The software solution must allow for individual weighting for each test in the determination of overall scores.

Configurable to comply with the Common Look and Feel (CLF) Standards for the Internet and GC Intranet as published by the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS). The current TBS CLF 2.0 Standards are defined at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ws-nw/index-eng.asp (e.g., works with screen readers for the visually impaired and other assistive technologies).

Configurable for cut off scores for pass and fail.

Reports with ranking list of candidates by score.

The software solution must have an option to report T-scores based upon test results collected from agencies across the US and Canada.

The software solution must have an option to produce graphical score report which displays a queried group of applicant scores in a graphical format vs. a tabular report.

The software solution must contain a test writer function that allows for the creation of custom true/false, multiple choice, or fill-in-the-blank test items and the inclusion of images, sound files, videos, or web links.

3.3 Compatibility with RCMP's Technical Environment

The Software Solution must, at a minimum, be interoperable and compatible with the following RCMP technical environment of desktops and laptops:

Operating System Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Version 7 (latest service packs and updates required)

Processor 450 MHZ or faster for Windows 2000/XP: 1 GHz or faster for Windows Vista / Version 7

RAM of 512 MB or more for Windows 2000/XP (1 GB recommended), and 1 GB or more for Vista (2 GB recommended)

Hard drive space of 500 MB free space prior to installation: 1 GB or more recommended.

Video capability of Super VGA with 16-bit color, 1024X768 resolution or higher (applies to video card and monitor)

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive required for software installation

Soundcard with headset jack and record capabilities

Microphone for Vocal tests (optional-only required if Vocal tests will be administered).

3.4 Security Requirements

No Security Requirements are required for this contract, however;

The Contractor shall treat as confidential, during as well as after the performance of the services contracted for, any information of the affairs of Canada of a confidential nature to which its servants or agents become privy;

Contractor personnel requiring casual access to the installation site do not require a security clearance but may be required to be escorted at all times.

4. Applicability of the trade agreements to the procurement

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP)

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

Biddle Consulting Group Inc. is the only known supplier that can provide the solution that satisfies and meets all mandatory requirements.

6.Government Contracts Regulations Exception

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) - "only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract ".

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

The following exclusions and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the section of the trade agreements specified:

Agreement on Internal Trade ( AIT) - Annex 4.4 articles 506.12 (a) and 506.12 (b) are applicable on the basis of limited tendering due to compatibility with existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such as exclusive licenses, copyright and patent rights, or to maintain specialized products that must be maintained by the manufacturer or its representative, and where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no alternative or substitute exists, respectively.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Articles 1016.2 (b) and 1016.2 (d) are applicable on the basis of limited tendering due to reasons where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists, for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for existing supplies, services or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of inter changeability with already existing equipment or services, including software to the extent that the initial procurement of the software was covered by this Chapter, respectively.

World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) - Articles XV (b) and XV (d) are applicable on the basis of governing open and selective tendering procedures need not apply in the following conditions, provided that limited tendering is not used with a view to avoiding maximum possible competition or in a manner which would constitute a means of discrimination among suppliers of other Parties or protection to domestic producers or suppliers.

8. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the proposed contract will vest in the Contractor.

9. Period of the Proposed Contract and Deliverables

The proposed Contract is for a period of 1 year from date of Contract Award.

The Contractor must deliver the Licensed Software and the documentation within ten (10) working days after the date of contract award.

The programming and customization for the bilingual language requirements must be delivered on or before March 15, 2014.

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Biddle Consulting Group Inc. 193 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 270 Folsom, CA USA

11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is August 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to

Robert (Bob) Dubé Supply Specialist Software and Shared Systems Procurement Directorate Public Works and Government Services Canada Place du Portage III, 4C1 11 rue Laurier, Gatineau (Québec) K1A 0S5

Telephone: (819) 956-0473 Facsimile: (819) 953-3703 E-mail: Robert.Dube@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority may then proceed with the award. However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile transmission, on the covering page.

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.