Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS)

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: CONTRACTED AIRBORNE TRAINING SERVICES (CATS) PROJECT W636A-09-CATS/H

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS In order to ensure a successful re-procurement for the provision of Contracted Airborne Training Services, industry shall be engaged in a consultative process as the first step in this solicitation. The consultation process includes an "Industry Engagement Session" followed by one-on-one "Industry Meetings" and "Working Group Meetings ".

The Industry Engagement Session is scheduled for March 21, 2012 from 9am to 4pm (if required) at 111 Sussex Drive, La Promenade Room, Ottawa, Ontario.

Industry Meetings will be scheduled for March 22, 2012, at 111 Sussex Drive, La Promenade Room, Ottawa, Ontario, and for March 23, 2012, at 1 Nicholas Street, 4th floor Boardroom, Ottawa, Ontario.

Working Group Meetings are anticipated to be scheduled from April until June 2012, if required.

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS

Industry is requested to provide comments and recommendations to the PWGSC Contracting Authority on the Draft Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process by March 12, 2012. The Draft Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process will be discussed and finalized at the Engagement Session.

To participate in Industry Meetings, Working Group Meetings and a review of the final DRAFT RFP Industry must sign and agree to the Industry Engagement Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process.

Also, in order to facilitate the one-on-one meetings Industry is encouraged to provide written comments and recommendations on the proposed topics for discussion as well as any additional topics Industry may wish to discuss.

All Industry consultations will be documented and this information is subject to the Access to Information Act. Canada shall not reveal any designated proprietary information to third parties.

Industry Engagement Session: The purpose of the Industry Engagement Session is to provide Industry and other interested parties " participants" with general information on the CATS procurement project, the consultative process, finalize the Draft Rules of Engagement and obtain industry comments on the consultative process timeline.

One-on-One Industry Meetings: Following sign off by Industry of the Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process Canada will meet with Industry participants individually to listen to their concerns, recommendations and solutions. Canada will analyze and summarize industry input, identify topics that need to be discussed at Working Group meetings and revise solicitation document(s), if applicable.

Working Group Meetings: The objective of the Working Group Meetings is to resolve industry issues and secure an open competitive procurement process. Industry will be invited to Working Group Meetings comprised of representatives from Industry, DND and PWGSC to discuss specific issues, potential solutions and revised solicitation document(s), if applicable. Canada will finalize the solicitation document(s) following these meetings.

Following the Working Group Meetings, Canada will document all industry issues, positions and action. A draft-RFP will only be made available to all participants who have signed and complied with the Rules of Engagement for a final review before the official RFP is published on MERX.

Third Party Consultation: Third parties such as Industry Associations will be consulted on an as and when required basis to discuss industry issues and recommendations on industry standard practices.

REGISTRATION

Participants that wish to attend the Industry Engagement Session and Industry Meetings are to register by notifying the PWGSC Contracting Authority, identified herein, by March 14, 2012. Participants must identify themselves by their legal name, corporate address, the names of representatives attending by their respective title as well as their office address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address.

Please note that: (1) Although Industry may register as many representatives as required no more than 4 representatives may attend at any given time due to space limitation.

(2) All attendees are encouraged to register and will be required to sign-in upon arrival to the venue.

(3) Interested participants are encouraged to submit comments on the "Industry Engagement Proposed Topics for Discussion" and suggest additional topics to the Contracting Authority to be discussed at the one-on-one meetings and working group sessions. (See attached document)

(4) Attendees are responsible for their own transportation, accommodation, meals, parking and all other expenses.

(5) Participation is not a mandatory requirement. Not attending the Industry Engagement Session will not preclude an interested participant from submitting a proposal.

(6) Media cannot participate in the one-on-one meetings or the working group sessions.

Agenda for Industry Engagement Session: 1. Opening Remarks 2. Consultative Process 3. Technical Overview 4. Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process 5. Consultation Schedule 6. Questions and Answers 7. Closing Remarks PWGSC Contracting Authority: Lucie Laliberté Public Works and Government Services Canada Contracted Airborne Training Services Project E-mail: lucie.laliberte@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca Tel. No.: 613-993-2653

SCOPE

The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for the provision of Combat Support (CS) training services to the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force.

This Project is known as the Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) Project. The majority of services will be provided in the following locations across Canada: Victoria, BC; Cold Lake, AB; Bagotville, QC; and Halifax, NS. Additionally, CS services may occur outside of Canada, including but not limited to Mexico and the United States.

CS training services will provide the following mission categories:

Target Support: Target Support (TS) missions provide representative adversary airborne targets for the purpose of operator training and weapon systems validation in the areas of detection, tracking and targeting.

Electronic Warfare: Electronic Warfare (EW) missions train land, maritime and air forces in the operation of their systems in a live-fly electromagnetic environment using Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Protection (EP) and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM).

Target Tow: Target Tow (TT) missions provide training to radar, electro-optical and infrared-guided weapons system operators in an actual live fire environment.

CATS mission categories of TS, EW and TT are partitioned into mission sub-categories to address the extensive scope of CS training requirements.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL ON STATION HOURS

The estimated on station hours are 2,500 to 3,500 per year. On Station Hours is the difference between the time at the initial point (IP) and the time at the end exercise point (EEP). EEP is the point after which the aircraft can no longer be expected to tactically manoeuvre.

CONTROLLED GOODS PROGRAM

Potential Bidders are advised that this procurement is subject to the Controlled Goods Program (CGP). The upcoming bid solicitation will include information about controlled goods that are subject to the Defence Production Act, R.S. 1985, c. D-1. Therefore, Bidders must be registered, exempt or excluded under the CGP before receiving the complete bid solicitation. The purpose of this notice is to allow for Bidders sufficient time to register with the CGP http://ssi-iss.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/dmc-cgd in order to request the necessary documentation required to bid on the CATS requirement. Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions A9130T - Controlled Goods Program (2011-05-16) will apply.

SOURCING This requirement falls under the National Security Exception (NSE) invoked by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, on 28 November 2008, for the procurement of Contracted Airborne Training Services Project. This requirement is therefore excluded from the WTO-AGP, NAFTA and AIT, but remains governed by the Government Contract Regulations.

The requirement is also not subject to the Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements (CLCA) as the services to be performed are outside the Land Claims areas.

The Canadian Content Policy is not applicable to this procurement since it is subject to Industrial and Regional Benefits as detailed in the PWGSC Supply Manual Annex 3.6, article 2biv.

ATTACHED DOCUMENTS

Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process

The Draft Rules of Engagement and Dispute Resolution Process will be discussed and finalized at the Industry Engagement Session. Sign off by participants will be required to attend the one-on-one and the working group meetings.

Principal Elements of CATS Capability

The attached document provides background and context to be considered in conjunction with the Industry Engagement Proposed Topics for Discussion.

Industry Engagement Proposed Topics for Discussion

The attached document is a template to assist Canada and Industry to prepare for Industry Meetings and Working Group Meetings and facilitate the consultative process. Your written response to the proposed discussion topics and questions and additional topics are encouraged.

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.