RFSO17-1311-2022 Refresh - Provision of Independent Verification and Validation and Work in Progress

1.0 Introduction
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (“CATSA”) is a Crown corporation with headquarters at 99 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1P 6B9.  CATSA is responsible for the delivery of consistent, effective and efficient screening of passengers and non-passengers in designated airports. Further information about CATSA can be obtained at www.catsa.gc.ca.
 
1.1 Estimated Standing Offer Value
$435,000, excluding applicable taxes, including optional periods
 
2.0 Description
Following RFSO No. RFSO17-1311 issued on April 18, 2018 (“Initial RFSO”), the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (“CATSA”) awarded one Standing Offer (“Initial Standing Offer”) and one additional Standing Offer (three total Standing Offers) were awarded following each of RFSO No. RFSO17-1311-2019 Refresh issued on May 1, 2019, RFSO No. RFSO17-1311-2020 Refresh issued on April 27, 2020 and RFSO No. RFSO17-1311-2021 Refresh issued on April 19, 2021. CATSA has a requirement to establish up to one Standing Offer during this annual qualification opportunity (“2022 Refresh”), for the provision of Independent Verification and Validation (“IV&V”) and Work In Progress (“WIP”) Services on an as and when required basis for a period of approximately one year that is, from the effective date of the resulting Standing Offer to June 30, 2023 with an option for an additional two years, as further described in Schedule “A” (Statement of Work). Up to one additional Standing Offer may be awarded during each subsequent annual qualification opportunity.
 
3.0 Procurement Method
The RFSO establishes an Open Tendering process to enter into up to one non-exclusive Standing Offer.
 
4.0 Estimated Quantity of Services
During the term of the Standing Offers, CATSA may, subject to the availability of funding, purchase up to an estimated four to six IV&V and WIP services per year on an as and when required basis, via purchase orders issued under the Standing Offers. 
 
By responding to the RFSO, bidders acknowledge that: (i) the foregoing are estimates only and are subject to change, in CATSA’s sole and absolute discretion, at any time, up to and including any time after any resulting Standing Offer(s) is entered into; and (ii) CATSA cannot commit to purchase any quantity of goods/services until a purchase order is issued in accordance with any previously awarded Standing Offers or any Standing Offer resulting from this 2022 Refresh.
 
These estimated requirements are for informational purposes only and do not represent a commitment by CATSA to buy all or any quantities. 
 
5.0 Term of Resulting Standing Offer(s)
It is anticipated that the term of any resulting Standing Offer will be for an initial term of one year, renewable for an additional period of two years at CATSA’s sole option.
 
As this is anticipated to be a recurring Standing Offer, it is CATSA’s intention to issue a notice of intended procurement in respect of a new RFSO prior to the expiry of the term of the Standing Offer(s) awarded through the Initial RFSO or subsequent Refreshes.
 
6.0 Address for Submission of Questions and Proposals/Responses; Question Acceptance Deadline and Closing Date
The question acceptance deadline and the closing date are set out in the “Dates” section above. CATSA may extend either or both of such dates.
 
Questions and proposals/responses must be submitted through the MERX EBS system at www.merx.com.
 
7.0 Mandatory Requirements
There are mandatory requirements.
 
8.0 Rated Requirements
The RFSO contains details of the rated requirements.

9.0 Contractor Selection
Proposals must comply with the requirements of the RFSO to be deemed responsive. Without limitation to Section 11 (CATSA’s Reserved Rights) of the RFSO, CATSA may, in its sole and absolute discretion, reject or refuse to consider any proposal if CATSA determines that the information, statements or supporting material in the Technical Offer or the Financial Offer are inconsistent with, or otherwise fail to respond to, any of the requirements of the RFSO.
 
All proposals will be examined in accordance with the following process:
 
A. Initial Qualification Opportunity for Standing Offers
 
Step 1: Evaluation of Rated Requirements (100 Points)
The top ranked bidder within a twenty percent (20%) range of the highest Technical Score from the initial RFSO will proceed to the next step.
 
Step 2: Evaluation of Financial Offer
Financial Offer of the top ranked bidder within a twenty percent (20%) range of the highest Technical Score from the initial RFSO proceeding from Step 1 (Evaluation of Rated Requirements) will be reviewed to ensure that such bidders proposed maximum, all-inclusive per diem rates for each Category of Personnel.
 
Step 3: Recommendation of Award
Subject to Schedule “G” (Security Requirements Assessments) of the RFSO, from this 2022 Refresh, CATSA intends to recommend award of a Standing Offer to the top ranked bidder with the highest Total Technical Score that is within twenty (20%) of the highest Total Technical Score from the Initial RFSO, including, but not limited to Section 11 (CATSA’s Reserved Rights) of the RFSO.
 
Step 4: Security Requirements Assessments
Prior to award, and as a condition precedent to award of a Standing Offer, CATSA will, for the bidder selected from Step 3 (Recommendation of Award), assess the bidder’s ability to meet the “Security Requirements applicable to a Standing Offer” specified in Appendix “A-1” in accordance with Schedule “G” (Security Requirements Assessments) of the RFSO.
 
B. Subsequent Annual Qualification Opportunities for Standing Offers

An annual notice re-inviting interested suppliers to submit proposals for consideration and potential award of a Standing Offer will be published on the fifth anniversary of the award of the Initial Standing Offer should the Optional Renewal Term be exercised, and bidders will be allowed to submit proposals at any time; however, Proposals received subsequent to the Deadline for Proposals for this 2022 Refresh will be evaluated with the next scheduled annual evaluation. Proposals received will be evaluated in accordance with the process described at Part A above, except that new proposals will be evaluated against the top ranked bidder from the initial evaluation and only up to one additional Standing Offer agreement may be awarded per year. For clarity, the twenty percent (20%) range cut-off will continue to apply; thus, if in a subsequent annual qualification opportunity, no proposals satisfy the requirements of this “Schedule B”, then no new Standing Offer will be issued and those opportunities will lapse.

Note to bidders: Bidders with Standing Offers are not required to resubmit proposals in response to the subsequent annual qualification opportunities.

10.0 Allocation of Tasks/Requirements
See RFSO for details of allocation of tasks/requirements.
 
11.0 Ongoing Qualification of New Suppliers (Standing Offer Refresh)
See RFSO for details of ongoing qualifications of new suppliers.
 
12.0 Trade Agreement
This procurement is subject to:

• Chapter Nineteen (Government Procurement) of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA); and
• Chapter Five (Government Procurement) of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).