Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures:
Attachment: YES (MERX) Electronic
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements:
RFI Overview
This is a Request for Information (RFI) and does not constitute
a commitment on Canada's part to issue a subsequent Request for
Standing Offer (RFSO) related to the Accommodation portion of
the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD) Program. The
RFI document and any responses received hereto in no way
constitute an obligation on the part of Canada to enter into
Contract(s) with one or more parties. Responses to the RFI will
enable Canada to evaluate the strategy to be taken, if any,
regarding further related activities. This is not a bid
solicitation and responses will not be formally evaluated.
Advisory notices will be posted on Buyandsell as further
information is made available. PWGSC solicits information in
this matter solely for its own benefit to inform the structuring
of subsequent RFSOs, and makes no promise that an award of
business will be made to respondents. This RFI is simply
intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to
matters described therein. Information provided will not be
attributed to its source, but may be publicized in a manner that
does not disclose the provider. Proprietary information will be
protected in accordance with Federal policies. Responses will be
kept strictly confidential, subject to the provisions of the
Access to Information Act, and will be retained to support
further development of internal planning documents and
decisions, and possibly RFSOs. Please note that responses to the
RFI will not be returned.
The Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD) Program is
managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
Current Identified Users of the Directory consist of a number of
Federal Government Departments, Agencies and Boards, as well as
some Provincial Governments and Territories. The ACRD
negotiated rates are used by the Identified Users while on
official Government business travel authorized by Federal,
Provincial or Territorial Governments and paid or reimbursed
from public funds in accordance with Government Travel Policy.
Although the ACRD allow users to procure accommodation and car
rental services, this RFI is related to accommodation services
only.
Each year in July, PWGSC publishes on the Government Electronic
Tendering Service (GETS), now referred to as Buyandsell, two (2)
competitive Requests for Standing Offers (RFSO), Regular Markets
and Select Markets, that result in the issuance of approximately
2,000 Standing Offers (SO) for short term accommodation, 30 days
or less, in Canada, USA and overseas. These RFSOs are also
mailed to suppliers from a source list maintained by PWGSC. The
resulting SOs provide for accommodation choices for the
following year under the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory
available on the Internet.
During the last several years, changes have occurred in the
industry while PWGSC's way to procure these accommodation
services has remained relatively the same. The industry has
been moving to new media, using own or third-party websites
(Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, etc.) or electronic travel
agencies (Travel i2000). Also, new categories of reservation
have been available such as pre-paid with no refund or no cost
cancellation possibilities at different time prior to reserved
check-in date, which were not available before. Room categories
have been diversified as hotels have been offering different
categories of rooms to fulfill the traveler's needs. The
Industry has also migrated to a higher use of technology to
optimize occupancy and price. Prices may change several times
before the date of occupancy. PWGSC would like to see if it can
also benefit of better conditions and prices.
PWGSCCanada wants to maximize the value and choice through a
more dynamic way to conduct procurement of short term
accommodation for federal employees travelling. CanadaPWGSC is
looking to modernize and streamline its process in order to
increase efficiencies while providing safe, clean and
comfortable accommodation to Government travellers at the lowest
price.
Prior to implementing significant changes to its process and
requirement, PWGSC would like to hear suggestions from the hotel
industry. Towards this, PWGSC is engaging with industry and
soliciting feedback on a series of questions or any other input
industry may have to offer. The intention is for us (PWGSC) to
take into account and consider such feedback from industry as we
modernize and streamline our process. Canada is open to new
ideas coming from the industry.
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.
