Task Based Standing Offer for TSPS

Standing Offer and Resulting Call-Up Clauses

Section A: Standing Offer

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Table of Contents

1. Offer
2. Security Requirement
3. Standard Clauses and Conditions
4. Term of Standing Offer
5. Authorities
6. Identified Users
7. Call-up Procedures
8. Call-up Instrument
9. Limitation of Call-ups
10. Priority of Documents
11. Certifications
12. Applicable Laws
13. Official Languages
14. Administration of Standing Offer
15. Joint Venture
16. Aboriginal Business Certification (if applicable)
17. Delivery Requirements Outside a CLCSA
18. Environmental Considerations

1. Offer

1.1 The Offeror offers to fulfill the requirement in accordance with the Requirement at Annex "A".

2. Security Requirement

There is a security requirement associated with the requirement.

The Offeror must hold the following minimum security requirement in order to remain an Active Offeror. The Standing Offer Authority may verify the Offeror's security clearance with the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate (CISD), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) at any time during the life of the Standing Offer.

The requirements to be procured under this SO may be subject to security requirements. Several generic Security Requirements Check Lists (SRCL), which PWGSC anticipates will satisfy most security requirements associated with individual requirements, are attached to Annex "C" - Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS) Generic Security Requirements Check Lists (SRCLs) to this SO. Each call-up will identify which SRCL will apply to that call-up.

These generic SRCLs may not meet the needs of some Identified Users for some requirement; in such cases, a unique SRCL fully describing the security requirements will be included in the documentation associated with that individual call-up. For example, if the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the Identified User, additional checks may be conducted by the RCMP.

Security Requirement for Canadian Offeror:
PWGSC File # EN60ZN-110001-SOC-A1

(See related SRCL under Annex "C" - TSPS Generic Security Requirements Check Lists (SRCLs) of this Standing Offer).

1. The Offeror must, at all times during the performance of the Standing Offer, hold a valid Designated Organization Screening (DOS), issued by the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate (CISD), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
2. The Offeror personnel requiring access to sensitive work site(s) must EACH hold a valid RELIABILITY STATUS, granted or approved by CISD/PWGSC.
3. Subcontracts which contain security requirements are NOT to be awarded without the prior written permission of CISD/PWGSC.
4. The Offeror must comply with the provisions of the:
   1. Security Requirements Check List and security guide (if applicable), attached at Annex "C" - TSPS Generic SRCLs;
   2. Industrial Security Manual (Latest Edition).

3. Standard Clauses and Conditions

All clauses and conditions identified in the Standing Offer and resulting contract(s) by number, date and title are set out in the Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions Manual issued by Public Works and Government Services Canada.

3.1 General Conditions

2005 (2011-05-16) General Conditions - Standing Offers - Goods or Services, apply to and form part of the Standing Offer.

3.2 Standing Offers Reporting

The Offeror must provide a Quarterly Usage Report (QUR) to the Standing Offer Authority on a quarterly basis. These submissions must be made by completing and forwarding an electronic copy of the QUR (in Excel format) to the Standing Offer Authority at to the following e-mail address: SPTS.TSPS@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Each QUR should be submitted using the electronic template entitled "< Offeror Name > Quarterly Usage Report" (see Annex F for a sample QUR) and should include a list of all call-ups issued to it under each Standing Offer, including Consultant Category, Level of Expertise, Client department and contact name, call-up number, start and end dates, number of days billed, all-inclusive firm per diem rate and dollar value (both including and excluding applicable taxes).

The reports must be submitted to the SO Authority according to the following schedule:

• 1^st quarter: April 1 to June 30 (Due on or before July 15^th)
• 2^nd quarter: July 1 to September 30 (Due on or before October 15^th)
• 3^rd quarter: October 1 to December 31 (Due on or before January 15^th)
• 4^th quarter: January 1 to March 31 (Due on or before April 15^th)

If an Offeror does not receive any call-ups during the period, the Offeror must confirm this by submitting a nil QUR report. The Offeror understands that failure to comply may result in the set-aside of the Standing Offer.

The Offeror understands that failure to comply to this requirement may result in the setting aside of authority to utilize the Standing Offer. PWGSC reserves the right to suspend the Offeror's Standing Offer without notice, if reports are not submitted on time or are inaccurate or incomplete.

4. Term of Standing Offer

4.1 Period of Standing Offer

The period for making call-ups against the Standing Offer is from date of award to October 23, 2013.

4.2 Standing Offer Renewal

1. Notice:
   The Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) will be subject to an open competition posted on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS). PWGSC may issue a RFSO on an annual basis. Each RFSO may contain a technical component, a financial component and a certification component.
2. Technical Component:
   The RFSO will invite new and Existing Offerors to submit an offer for the provision of professional services, and provide an opportunity for Existing Offerors to qualify for those Consultant Categories for which they did not initially qualify. Existing Offerors may not be required to resubmit a Technical Offer for previously documented Consultant Categories as, in addition to any new information submitted, the information submitted in the previous (E60ZN-110001/A) RFSO's Technical Offer may be considered resubmitted under the RFSO.
3. Financial Component:
   The RFSO will require both new and Existing Offerors to submit new firm per diem rates meeting the requirements set-out in the RFSO document. At each RFSO a new range of price competitiveness will be determined, and only those Offerors that are considered price competitive will be considered "Active" Offerors. Offerors that are technically responsive but are not considered price competitive will be considered "Inactive" Offerors.
4. Certification Component:
   The RFSO will require both new and Existing Offerors to submit certifications.
5. Evolving Requirements:
   PWGSC may, at any time, conduct further Requests for Standing Offers for new Consultant Categories and classes. Requirements for new Consultant Categories and Classes will be subject to an open competition posted on the Government Electronic Tendering Service.

5. Authorities

5.1 Standing Offer Authority

The Standing Offer Authority for the Standing Offer is:

Josianne Courteau
Acting Supply Team Leader
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Acquisitions Branch
Professional Services Procurement Directorate
Portage III 11C1
11 Laurier Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5
Telephone: 819-934-0200
Facsimile: 819-997-2229
E-mail address: spts.tsps@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

The Standing Offer Authority is responsible for the establishment of the Standing Offer, its administration and its revision, if applicable. Upon the making of a call-up, as Contracting Authority, he is responsible for any contractual issues relating to individual call-ups made against the Standing Offer by any Identified User.

5.2 Project Authority

The Project Authority for the Standing Offer is identified in the call-up against the Standing Offer.

The Project Authority is the representative of the department or agency for whom the Work will be carried out pursuant to a call-up against the Standing Offer and is responsible for all the technical content of the Work under the resulting Contract.

5.3 Offeror Representative

Offeror-Specific Information includes the information provided in the "Offeror Profile" (Name, Title, Organization, Address, Telephone, Facsimile, E-mail address) submitted in response to Attachment 1 - Annex A to Section A of the RFSO.

This information is as per your offer and is available to Identified Users via the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS).

6. Identified Users

The Identified Users authorized to make call-ups against the Standing Offer include any government Department, Agency or Crown Corporation listed in Schedules I, I.1, II, III, IV and V of the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11.

7. Call-up Procedures

7.1 Multiple Standing Offers

The Offeror acknowledges that multiple Standing Offers have been issued for this requirement. Call-ups will be allocated among the Offerors in accordance with the selection methodology described below.

7.2 Only Authorized Call-ups to be Accepted

The Offeror agrees only to perform individual call-ups made by an Identified User pursuant to this Standing Offer that do not exceed the applicable Limitation of call-up, outlined below in Article 9 - Limitation of Call-ups.

7.3 Call-up Process

The method of allocation is based on the "Right of First Refusal". Issue of Availability Confirmation Form to more than one Qualified Active Offeror is permitted under the method of allocation for this Standing Offer. Identified Users may issue call-ups to the Offeror with the lowest cumulative price, calculated following the steps in 7.10.

7.4 Call-ups

The only authorized method of issuing call-ups against this Standing Offer is the "Right of First Refusal" methodology. Canada reserves the right to increase or decrease the maximum number of Qualified Active Offerors that Identified Users send their requests to during any period of the Standing Offer subject to notifying the Offerors in writing 30 days before doing so.

It is recommended that the Identified User send their request to the four highest ranked Qualified Active Offerors but may send their request to a maximum of ten highest ranked Qualified Active Offerors with their requirements clearly set out and requires that Qualified Active Offerors provide a response: 48 hours from date of request or other (this allows Users to specify longer periods). The Identified User must list the level of the consultants required. They should also include the education, certification and experience required by the proposed consultants. The call-up must be directed to the highest-ranked (by price) Qualified Active Offeror who complies with the Availability Confirmation Form and provides the proof of the education, experience and certification specified in the call-up.

The Qualified Active Offeror must respond by providing a consultant that matches the criteria set out in the requirement including the proof of education, certification and experience. If the Qualified Active Offeror cannot respond or has no consultants available for that specific requirement, then the Identified User may request a consultant from the next Qualified Active Offeror on the list and so on, until a suitable consultant has been identified. Should the highest ranked Offeror not provide proof of education, certification or experience of the proposed consultant then they will be considered non responsive and the Identified User may request a consultant(s) from the next Qualified Active Offerors on the list and so on, until a suitable consultant has been identified.

For efficiency purposes, Identified Users may send their requests to more than one Qualified Active Offeror at once, but the lowest Qualified Active Offeror proposing a responsive consultant within the specific time limitation must always be chosen. In no circumstances, however, shall the Identified User skip over the lowest Qualified Active Offeror at once, but the lowest Offeror proposing a compliant consultant within the specific time limitation must always be chosen. In no circumstances, however, shall the Identified User skip over the lowest Offeror during the process (i.e. the Identified User is not allowed to simply invite firms listed in price ranking positions 5 to 8, without inviting firms listed in price ranking positions 1 to 4).

7.4.1

The Offeror acknowledges that no costs incurred before the receipt of a signed call-up can be charged to this Standing Offer or any call-ups made against it.

7.5 Availability Confirmation Form Content

The Identified User will issue an Availability Confirmation Form attached as Annex "D" to this Standing Offer to obtain the information necessary to call-up the required professional services to:

• the lowest priced Qualified Active Offeror; or
• the four lowest priced Qualified Active Offerors up to a maximum of ten lowest priced Qualified Active Offerors.

Each Availability Confirmation Form will identify the requirements of the Identified User's order by describing the specific project, including:

1. The Contract Period;
2. The level of effort required;
3. The location where the required Services will be delivered:
4. The travel requirements;
5. The specific Consultant Category(ies) and Level of Expertise required in a specified Region or Sub-Region;
6. The level of security clearance required to carry out the required Services;
7. Consultant qualifications needed such as education, certification and experience;
8. The particulars of the Statement of Work;
9. The number of resources required.

7.6 Response Requirements

By filling in the appropriate sections of the Availability Confirmation Form an Offeror will propose consultant(s) via the Government of Canada (GoC) electronic purchasing tool or to the Project Authority via e-mail or fax, until such time as the tool is available.

The response must be signed by the Offeror or by an authorized representative of the Offeror. The signature indicates that the Offeror accepts all the terms and conditions of the Contract in their entirety as they appear in the Availability Confirmation Form. Timely receipt and correct direction of responses are the sole responsibility of the Offeror.

The information required in the Availability Confirmation Form should be provided and the response must clearly identify:

1. a list of proposed consultant(s) for the corresponding Consultant Categories and Level of Expertise required in a specified Region or Sub-Region as specified in the Availability Confirmation Form; and
2. information requested to satisfy the level of security clearance required to carry out the required Services; and
3. consultant qualifications specified in the Availability Confirmation Form such as education, certification and experience; and
4. proof of education and /or certification required and
5. any other information identified by the Identified User in the Availability Confirmation Form.
6. resume(s) setting out the proposed consultant(s) qualifications

Failure to provide a response within the specified time frame of the Availability Confirmation Form will be interpreted as being unable to perform the Services.

7.7 Assessment of Proposed Consultants

The qualifications and experience of the proposed consultant(s) will be assessed against the requirements set out in the Availability Confirmation Form. The Identified User may request proof of successful completion of formal training, as well as reference information. Canada reserves the right to request references from an Offeror to conduct a reference check to verify the accuracy of the information provided. Should the reference(s) not confirm the required qualifications of the proposed consultant(s) to perform the required services, the Offeror will be found non responsive and Canada reserves the right to go to the next Offeror.

Where the Offeror is requested to provide information regarding qualifications or experience of its proposed consultants, the Offeror must provide complete details as to where, when, month and year, and how, through which activities/responsibilities, the stated qualifications/ experience were obtained. Experience gained during formal education will not be considered work experience. All requirements for work experience will be obtained in a legitimate work environment as opposed to an educational setting. Co-op terms are considered work experience provided they are related to the required services. The month(s) of experience listed for a project whose time frame overlaps that of another referenced project, will only be counted once.

Where the Offeror is requested to provide information about the education or proof about the education of the proposed individual, the individual must have obtained its education from a recognized* Canadian university, or college or high school, or the equivalent as established by a recognized* Canadian academic credentials assessment service*, if obtained outside Canada.

*The list of recognized organizations can be found under the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website (www).

Where the Offeror is requested to provide proof of certification of the proposed individual, the individual must submit a copy of the certification received or proof that they have completed the certification program.

7.8 Offeror Certification

By submitting and signing a response to a Availability Confirmation Form, the Offeror certifies and warrants each of the following:

1. Should the Offeror be authorized to provide services under any Availability Confirmation Form, the persons proposed will be available to commence performance of the work within a reasonable time from the date the call-up is issued, or within ten working days.
2. If the Offeror has proposed any person in fulfilment of the requirement who is not an employee of the Offeror, the Offeror certifies that it has written permission from such person or the employer of such person to propose the services of such person in relation to the work to be performed in fulfilment of the requirement and to submit such person's résumé to the Contracting Authority. As well, the Offeror certifies that the proposed person is aware that overtime may be required and is willing to comply. During the assessment of the proposed consultant, the Offeror must upon the request of the call-up Authority provide a copy of such written permission, in relation to any or all non-employees proposed. If the Offeror fails to comply with such a request, its response will be considered non-responsive.
3. If Canada seeks clarification from the Offeror, the Offeror warrants that clarifications will be made available upon request within two working days of a request by Canada or such longer period as is specified in writing. If the Offeror does not provide any required information within the time limit requested, its response will be considered non-responsive and will receive no further consideration.

7.9 Offeror Acknowledgement

By submitting and signing a response to a Availability Confirmation Form, the Offeror acknowledges each of the following:

1. The Identified User has the right but is not obliged to perform any of the following:
   1. seek clarification or verify any or all information provided by the Offeror with respect to the Availability Confirmation Form;
   2. contact any or all of the references supplied, at the sole cost of the Offeror, the Offeror and/or any or all of the personnel proposed by the Offeror to fulfill the requirement on two (2) working days notice or such longer period as is specified in writing, to verify and validate any information or data submitted by the Offeror.
2. Canada will not delay the issuance of any call-up to allow Offerors to obtain the required security clearance. It is the responsibility of Offeror to ensure that the information required concerning the security clearance is provided on time. Offerors should indicate in their response if they meet all the security requirements, and the status of their application for security clearance. Offerors are advised to initiate the security clearance process as soon as possible with the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate (CISD) of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) if they do not currently meet the security requirement specified herein. For any inquiries, Offerors should contact CISD at 1-866-368-4646, or (613) 948-4176 in the National Capital Region. For personnel security clearance obtained under another entity or with a Federal Government Department other than PWGSC, Offerors should contact the CISD security officer as soon as possible to be guided through the process of completing any paperwork required to request a transfer, or a duplicate of the security clearance or a new application for security clearance as appropriate.
3. The Offeror acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions set out in the Resulting Call-up Clauses that form part of this Standing Offer apply to every call-up made under this Standing Offer

7.10 Issuance of a Call-up

If more than one Offeror submitted a valid response to the Availability Confirmation Form a call-up will be issued to the lowest cumulative price once the assessment of the proposed consultant(s) has been completed, should the proposed consultant(s) meet the requirements set out in the Availability Confirmation Form. The Contracting Authority will issue the call-up within the applicable call-up Limitations using PWGSC form 942. In the event of a tie, the decision will be arrived at as instructed in the Availability Confirmation Form.

The lowest cumulative price will be calculated as follows:

Adding together all the rates per Consultant Category at the level of expertise of the required Consultant Categories.

Example:

Identified User Requires:

1 level 3 HR Consultant
2 level 2 Compensation Consultants
3 level 3 Org. Design and Classification Consultants

Highest Ranked Offeror's response:

1 level 3 HR Consultant @ $700 per day = $700
2 level 2 Compensation Consultants @ 500 per day = $1,000
3 level 3 Classification and Org. Design Consultants @ $850 per day = $2,550

Total: $700 + $1000 + $2,550 = $4,250 is the Lowest Cumulative Price

2^nd Highest Ranked Offeror's response:

1 level 3 HR Consultant @ $600 per day = $600
2 level 2 Compensation Consultants @ 700 per day = $1,400
3 level 3 Classification and Org. Design Consultants @ $1,000 per day = $3,000

Total: $600 + $1,400 + $3,000 = $5,000

8. Call-up Instrument

The Work will be authorized or confirmed by the Identified User(s) using form PWGSC 942, Call-up Against a Standing Offer or electronic document.

9. Limitation of Call-ups

Individual call-ups against the Standing Offer must not exceed $250,000.00 (Goods and Services Tax or the Harmonized Sales Tax included). PWGSC may issue a call-up above the call-up limitation.

10. Priority of Documents

If there is a discrepancy between the wording of any documents that appear on the list, the wording of the document that first appears on the list has priority over the wording of any document that subsequently appears on the list.

1. the call-up against the Standing Offer, including any annexes;
2. the articles of the Standing Offer;
3. the general conditions 2005 (2011-05-16), General Conditions - Standing Offers - Goods or Services
4. the general conditions 2035 (2011-05-16), General Conditions - Services, apply to and form part of the Contract
5. Annex "A" - Requirement
6. Annex B - Basis of Payment
7. Annex C - TSPS Generic Security Requirements Check Lists (SRCLs)
8. Annex D - Availability Confirmation Form
9. Annex E - Regions and Sub-Regions Definitions
10. Annex G - Performance Evaluation Report
11. the Offeror's offer.

11. Certifications

11.1 Compliance

Compliance with the Certifications provided by the Offeror is a condition of authorization of the Standing Offer (SO) and subject to verification by Canada during the entire period of the SO and of any resulting contract that would continue beyond the period of the SO. In the event that the Offeror does not comply with any certification or that it is determined that any certification made by the Offeror in its offer is untrue, whether made knowingly or unknowingly, Canada has the right to terminate any resulting contract for default and set aside the SO.

12. Applicable Laws

The Standing Offer and any contract resulting from the Standing Offer must be interpreted and governed by the laws in force in ______ (as mentioned in the Offeror's offer).

13. Official Languages

1. Offerors may respond to individual Availability Confirmation Form's under this SO in either official language, in accordance with the Official Languages Act and Regulations.
2. Individual Availability Confirmation Form's may require that the Services be performed in one or the other of Canada's Official Languages.

14. Administration of Standing Offer

14.1 Conditions of Holding a Standing Offer

The Offeror acknowledges that it is a condition of this Standing Offer that:

• The Offeror and its members or subcontractors, as applicable, must continue to meet all the qualification requirements described in RFSO E60ZN-110001/A while it has a Standing Offer.
• The Offeror or its subcontractors, as applicable, will not publish or make available any promotional/marketing literature associated in any way with this Standing Offer without the prior approval of the Standing Offer Authority;
• All certifications made in the Offeror's original Offer be true on the date of this Standing Offer and remain true throughout the Standing Offer Period. The Offeror acknowledges that Canada is entitled to verify these certifications throughout the Standing Offer Period; and
• The Offeror must obtain and maintain all permits, licences and certificates of approval required by any applicable federal, provincial or municipal legislation that are required to perform any resulting contracts and pay any charges imposed by such legislation or regulations. Upon request, the Offeror must provide a copy of any such permit, licence, or certificate to the Contracting Authority.

Canada may verify compliance with these conditions at any time during the Standing Offer and failure to meet any of these conditions constitutes grounds for setting aside authority to use this Standing Offer.

14.2 On-Going Qualification Requirements

1. The Offeror must immediately notify the Standing Offer Authority if it no longer meets any of the mandatory qualification requirements of this Standing Offer.
2. PWGSC may require an Offeror to confirm its qualification at any time. For example, the SO Authority may require an Offeror to provide evidence that:
   1. the insurance it carries continues to meet the requirements of RFSO E60ZN-110001/A;
   2. it continues to hold the necessary security clearance;
   3. it continues to have the financial capability;
   4. it continues to have the technical ability and experience required to deliver the Services for which it is qualified;
   5. the JV membership remains as stated in the Standing Offer.
3. Where the Offeror no longer meets any of the individual requirements for qualification, Canada may, at its option:
   1. set-aside the Standing Offer in its entirety until the Offeror has demonstrated that it meets the requirements in respect of which it has been found deficient, during which time the Offeror will not be eligible for call-ups issued under the Standing Offer;
   2. set-aside the Offeror qualification under specific Regions or Sub-Regions of this Standing Offer until the Offeror has demonstrated that it meets the requirements in respect of which it has been found deficient, during which time the Offeror will not be eligible for call-ups issued under the Standing Offer framework for those Regions or Sub-Regions.

14.3 Withdrawal of Authority to use Standing Offer

1. Canada may, at any time, withdraw authority from the Identified User and/or its Identified Users to use the TSPS series of Standing Offers.
2. Canada may also, at any time, withdraw authority from Identified User and/or its identified Users to use this Standing Offer if the Offeror breaches the terms of this Standing Offer or any contract resulting from the SO.

14.4 Vendor Performance and Identify Users Assessment

1. As stated under the Article entitled "On-going Qualification Requirements" above, Canada reserves the right to set-aside an Offeror's Standing Offer.
2. At the completion of each call-up, the Identified User may assess the Offeror and Offerors' consultants by completing the Performance Evaluation Report (sample attached as Annex "G" ). The completed survey will be emailed to spts.tsps@tpgsc-pwgsc.gc.ca.
3. The following is not an exhaustive list of examples of situations which may result in the set-aside of the Standing Offer include:
   1. Late deliveries;
   2. Price revision;
   3. Failure to submit complete and accurate Quarterly Usage Reports within the required time frames;
   4. Violation of any of the specific terms and conditions detailed in the Standing Offer (e.g. failure to meet the minimum RFSO requirements, failure to respect the contract limitations, etc.);
   5. Canada has terminated any contract resulting from the Standing Offer for default;
   6. Canada has imposed measures on the Offeror under the PWGSC Vendor Performance Policy (or such similar policy as may be in place from time to time);
   7. Distribution or publication of information that conflicts with any aspect of the terms and conditions, pricing, or availability of systems currently listed in this Standing Offer.
4. The Offeror acknowledges that Canada may suspend the authority of the Identified User to use the Offeror's Standing Offer for a period of up to three months upon the first suspension.
5. The Offeror acknowledges that Canada may suspend the authority of the Identified User to use the Offeror's Standing Offer for the remaining period of the Standing Offer upon any subsequent breach of any of the terms and conditions of the Standing Offer.
6. The Offeror acknowledges that Canada may publish information regarding the status of the Offeror's Offer, including the set-aside of the Offeror's Standing Offer.
7. The Offeror acknowledges that Canada will implement an Assessment Framework for TSPS Applicable to Identified Users and Offerors which is part of the commitment of PWGSC to enhance the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the government contracting process, the use of automated procurement tools developed for Identified Users, which is subject to ongoing assessment. Results from an assessment could also lead to Sanctions, e.g. loss of access by a Identified User; or a Standing Offer is set aside

14.5 Termination of Individual Call-up made under this Standing Offer

If a call-up made under this SO is terminated, such termination does not affect the Standing Offer. The Offeror acknowledges, however, that a default under any contract made under this Standing Offer may result in the set-aside of this Standing Offer, at the discretion of the Standing Offer Authority.

15. Joint Venture (if applicable)

If the Offeror is a joint venture, the Offeror agrees that all members of the joint venture are jointly and severally or solidarily liable for the performance of any contract awarded under the Standing Offer. If the membership of a joint venture changes, the Standing Offer will be cancelled and members who wish to qualify separately or as part of a different joint venture must submit a new offer by following the qualification process established by Canada.

16. Aboriginal Business Certification (if applicable)

1. The Offeror warrants that the certification of compliance with the definition of an Aboriginal business set out in the Requirements for the Set-aside Program for Aboriginal Business submitted by the Offeror is accurate and complete.
2. The Offeror must keep proper records and documentation relating to the accuracy of the certification provided to Canada. The Offeror must not, without obtaining prior written consent of the Standing Offer Authority, dispose of any such records or documentation supporting the accuracy of the certification until the expiration of six years after final payment under the Contract, or until settlement of all outstanding claims and disputes, resulting from a dispute under the Contract, whichever is later. All such records and documentation must at all times during the retention period be open to audit, inspection and examination by representatives of Canada, who may make copies and take extracts. The Offeror must provide all facilities for such audits, inspections and examinations, and must furnish all such information as the representatives of Canada may from time to time require with respect to such records and documentation.
3. Nothing in this clause must be interpreted as limiting the rights and remedies which Canada may otherwise have pursuant to the Contract.

17. Delivery Requirements Outside a CLCSA

The Standing Offer is not to be used for deliveries within a Comprehensive Land Claims Settlement Area (CLCSA). All requirements for delivery within a CLCSA may be submitted to the Department of Public Works and Government Services for individual processing.

18. Environmental Considerations

As of April 2006, the Government of Canada issued a policy directing federal departments and agencies to take the necessary steps to acquire products and services that have a lower impact on the environment than those traditionally acquired. The environmental impact assessment of a product and/or service considers the whole life cycle of the product and/or service. Hence, in the near future, all government procurement will include more demanding environmental criteria to encourage product/service Offerors to improve their operations to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

18.1 Environmental Properties Behaviour Recommended

Paper consumption:

• Provide and transmit draft reports, final reports and bids in electronic format. Should printed material be required, double sided printing in black and white format is the default unless otherwise specified by the Project Authority.
• Printed material is requested on minimum recycled content of 30% and/or certified as originating from a sustainably managed forest.
• Recycle unneeded printed documents (in accordance with Security Requirements).
• Travel requirements:
  • Project Authority is encouraged to use video and/or teleconferencing where possible to cut down unnecessary travel.
  • Use of Properties with Environmental Ratings: Contractors to the Government of Canada may access the PWGSC Accommodation directory, which includes Eco-Rated properties. When searching for accommodation, contractors can go to the following link and search for properties with Environmental Ratings, identified by Green Keys or Green Leafs that will honour the pricing for contractors: 2010 Accommodation Search Page.
  • Use of public/green transit where feasible.

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