2B0KB-12NNSE/A - NATIONAL SECURITY EXCEPTION (2B0KB-12NNSE/A)

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures:

Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements:

Notification to Suppliers National Security Exception for Email, Network and Data Centre Systems, Infrastructure and Services This notification is being published in order to inform suppliers that Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), at the request of Shared Services Canada (SSC), has invoked the National Security Exception under Canada's domestic and international trade agreements in connection with procurements for SSC related to email, network/ telecommunications and data centre systems, infrastructure and services. This is part of a Government of Canada strategy to create a secure, centralized communications infrastructure. As announced by Minister Ambrose on 4 August 2011 when SSC was created, "Shared Services Canada will have a mandate to streamline and reduce duplication in the government's IT services. Taking action will help our Government reduce duplication, and over time, our government footprint. It will also strengthen security and the safety of government data to ensure Canadians are protected."

Over the past decade, there has been an increasing recognition of the central role played by email, network/telecommunications and data centre systems in every aspect of government operations. However, during the same period, we have learned that these systems have been the target of

hostile threats which causes grave concerns about the implications of cyber threats on Canada's national security. The government's current aging infrastructure in email, network/telecommunications and data centre systems, all of which are interconnected, leaves the government vulnerable to such cyber threats. The government is also concerned about potential compromises to security achieved through the supply chain itself. SSC will treat the government as an enterprise and strengthen security through consolidation and limiting both entry and access points, among other things. This National Security Exception will apply to a variety of procurements, which may involve different procurement strategies. However, PWGSC and SSC anticipate that, in some cases, the procurement strategy may involve the pre-selection of suppliers who, among other things, meet certain security clearance criteria at the time of pre-selection. Access to information about certain SSC procurements (e.g., system architecture) may also be restricted to suppliers (and individuals within those suppliers) who hold the appropriate security clearance. As a result, suppliers (and key individuals within suppliers) who do not currently hold a security clearance at the level of Secret should consider seeking to upgrade their security clearance status, since procurements will not be delayed in order to provide time for suppliers to obtain required security clearances. The Goods and Services Identification Numbers(GSINs) listed above as part of this NSE invocation notice areincluded solelyas a matter of convenience in ordertoallow forbroader dissemination of the notice to suppliers that have registered for this service/feature andshould not beconstrued in anywayas limitingNSE invocationonly to the goods or services associatedwith these GSINs.

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.