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. Background Information
The Department of National Defence (DND) - Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) occupation requires dive operations support for CAF-led dive training in Key West, Florida, USA from 3 March to 18 April 2025, with an option-year from March-April 2026, specific dates to be confirmed.
3. Definition of Requirement
Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it is capable of meeting the following mandatory requirements:
a. The Contractor must be in possession of a certified standby diver, or dive master, and boat operator;
b. Services provided to be in accordance with CAF dive safety regulations for Search and Rescue Technicians contained in Air Division Orders;
c. Open Water Currency Diving will be conducted in 1-week serials requiring the use of a dive charter vessel with captain (operator), and a dive master, for up to 20 divers, daily morning or afternoon diving;
d. In the event of a maintenance issue with the dive vessel that cannot continue with the training, the contractor shall provide a backup or replacement vessel to continue with the CAF-led training;
e. The Contractor must provide an air sample (AS) that meets Canadian CBA standards, or as a minimum US Navy/NAVSEA CBA standards, one week prior to the start of training;
f. The Contractor must prove that its equipment maintenance program is in line with the maintenance standard set out by the Technical Authority (TA) (For example: yearly visuals, 5 yr hydrostatic inspections and routine compressor maintenance);
g. The Contractor must have provided services in the industry for a minimum of 10 years, or demonstrated a minimum of 10 years of experience with another reputable dive charter in Key West;
h. The Contractor must provide a minimum of two dive sites per day suitable for diving operations at depths of 25 to 100 FSW, preferably on wrecks and adhering to number of dives per day while following approved CAF dive tables provided; and
i. The all-inclusive services must include daily transport from the dive center site to the dive site and return, the provision of fuel for the vessel, ability to fill CAF-supplied dive tanks to 4,500 psi and daily replenishment of dive quality air, storage of CAF dive gear (specifically dive tanks, approximately 40) for the period of the contract, soft pouch compatible dive weights, all safety equipment mandatory for sea going vessels by Florida State law (for example ship to shore marine radio, fire extinguisher, safety dingy, flares etc..), and enough space for up to 20 divers with individual dive equipment.
4. Indigenous Procurement
a. The procurement is not set-aside under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business; and
b. The procurement is not subject to one or more of Canada's Comprehensive Land Claims Agreements.
5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier
The proposed supplier is believed to be the only dive operator operating in Key West, Florida that meets the technical compatibility factors and has the technological expertise required to complete the mandatory requirements listed in section 3 above, particularly the filling of DND dive tanks to a pressure of 4,500 psi, a military training requirement to provide extended dive training and use of the dive equipment to the limits of its capability.
6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)
The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6 (d) - only one person is capable of performing the work.
7. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date
The proposed period of the contract is from 1 March to 18 April 2025, and will consist of the provision of dive charted resources over the following seven (7) serials: Serial #1- Mar 3- Mar 7 2025, Serial #2- Mar 10-Mar 14 2025, Serial #3 Mar 17-Mar 21 2025, Serial #4 Mar 24-Mar 28 2025, Serial #5 Mar 31-Apr 4 2025, Serial #6 Apr 7-Apr 11 2025, and Serial #7 Apr 14-Apr 18, 2025.
An option year for March-April 2026 is proposed as well, dates to be confirmed in 2026.
8. Cost estimate of the proposed contract
The estimated value of the contract is $68,985.00 (GST/HST extra).
9. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier:
Captain’s Corner
125 Ann Street Key West
Florida, 33040 USA
10. 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.
11. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is 2025-01-17.
12. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:
Mr. Adam Bidzinski
Procurement Officer
Department of National Defence, 1 Canadian Air Division
Telephone: 204-833-2500 ex. 2053
E-mail: adam.bidzinski@forces.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 DND 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.
