General Instructions - Construction Services

GI01 (2016-04-04) Integrity provisions—bid

1. The Ineligibility and Suspension Policy (the “Policy”) in effect on the date the bid solicitation is issued, and all related Directives in effect on that date, are incorporated by reference into, and form a binding part of the bid solicitation. The Bidder must comply with the Policy and Directives, which can be found at Ineligibility and Suspension Policy.
2. Under the Policy, charges and convictions of certain offences against a Bidder, its affiliates or first tier subcontractors, and other circumstances, will or may result in a determination by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) that the Bidder is ineligible to enter, or is suspended from entering into a contract with Canada. The list of ineligible and suspended Suppliers is contained in PWGSC’s Integrity Database. The Policy describes how enquiries can be made regarding the ineligibility or suspension of Suppliers.
3. In addition to all other information required in the bid solicitation, the Bidder must provide the following:
   1. by the time stated in the Policy, all information required by the Policy described under the heading “Information to be Provided when Bidding, Contracting or Entering into a Real Property Agreement”; and
   2. with its bid, a complete list of all foreign criminal charges and convictions pertaining to itself, its affiliates and its proposed first tier subcontractors that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, may be similar to one of the listed offences in the Policy. The list of foreign criminal charges and convictions must be submitted using an Integrity Declaration Form, which can be found at Declaration form for procurement.
4. Subject to subsection 5, by submitting a bid in response to this bid solicitation, the Bidder certifies that:
   1. it has read and understands the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy;
   2. it understands that certain domestic and foreign criminal charges and convictions, and other circumstances, as described in the Policy, will or may result in a determination of ineligibility or suspension under the Policy;
   3. it is aware that Canada may request additional information, certifications, and validations from the Bidder or a third party for purposes of making a determination of ineligibility or suspension;
   4. it has provided with its bid a complete list of all foreign criminal charges and convictions pertaining to itself, its affiliates and its proposed first tier subcontractors that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, may be similar to one of the listed offences in the Policy;
   5. none of the domestic criminal offences, and other circumstances, described in the Policy that will or may result in a determination of ineligibility or suspension, apply to it, its affiliates and its proposed first tier subcontractors; and
   6. it is not aware of a determination of ineligibility or suspension issued by PWGSC that applies to it.
5. Where a Bidder is unable to provide any of the certifications required by subsection 4, it must submit with its bid a completed Integrity Declaration Form, which can be found at Declaration form for procurement.
6. Canada will declare non-responsive any bid in respect of which the information requested is incomplete or inaccurate, or in respect of which the information contained in a certification or declaration is found by Canada to be false or misleading in any respect. If Canada establishes after award of the Contract that the Bidder provided a false or misleading certification or declaration, Canada may terminate the Contract for default. Pursuant to the Policy, Canada may also determine the Bidder to be ineligible for award of a contract for providing a false or misleading certification or declaration.

GI02 (2014-03-01) Completion of bid

1. The bid shall be
   1. submitted on the Bid and Acceptance Form;
   2. based on the Bid Documents listed in the Special Instructions to Bidders;
   3. correctly completed in all respects;
   4. signed by a duly authorized representative of the Bidder; and
   5. accompanied by any other document or documents specified elsewhere in the solicitation where it is stipulated that said documents are to accompany the bid.
2. Subject to paragraph 6) of GI09, any alteration to the pre-printed or pre-typed sections of the Bid and Acceptance Form, or any condition or qualification placed upon the bid shall be cause for disqualification. Alterations, corrections, changes or erasures made to statements or figures entered on the Bid and Acceptance Form by the Bidder shall be initialed by the person or persons signing the bid. Alterations, corrections, changes or erasures that are not initialed shall be deemed void and without effect.
3. Unless otherwise noted elsewhere in the Bid Documents, facsimile copies of bids are not acceptable.
4. Canada will make available Notices of Proposed Procurement (NPP), bid solicitations and related documents for download through the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS). Canada is not responsible and will not assume any liabilities whatsoever for the information found on websites of third parties. In the event an NPP, bid solicitation or related documentation would be amended, Canada will not be sending notifications. Canada will post all amendments, including significant enquiries received and their replies, using GETS. It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to regularly consult GETS for the most up-to-date information. Canada will not be liable for any oversight on the Bidder's part nor for notification services offered by a third party.

GI03 (2015-02-25) Identity or legal capacity of the Bidder

In order to confirm the authority of the person or persons signing the bid or to establish the legal capacity under which the Bidder proposes to enter into Contract, any Bidder who carries on business in other than its own personal name shall, if requested by Canada, provide satisfactory proof of

1. such signing authority; and
2. the legal capacity under which it carries on business;

prior to contract award. Proof of signing authority may be in the form of a certified copy of a resolution naming the signatory(ies) that is (are) authorized to sign this bid on behalf of the corporation or partnership. Proof of legal capacity may be in the form of a copy of the articles of incorporation or the registration of the business name of a sole proprietor or partnership.

GI04 (2015-02-25) Applicable Taxes

“Applicable Taxes” means the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and any provincial tax, by law, payable by Canada such as, the Quebec Sales Tax (QST) as of April 1, 2013.

GI05 (2015-02-25) Capital development and redevelopment charges

For the purposes of GC1.8, of R2810D "Laws, Permits and Taxes", in the General Conditions of the Contract, only fees or charges directly related to the processing and issuing of building permits shall be included. The Bidder shall not include any monies in the bid amount for special municipal development, redevelopment or other fees or charges which a municipal authority may seek as a prerequisite to the issuance of building permits.

GI06 (2015-02-25) Listing of Subcontractors and Suppliers

Notwithstanding any list of Subcontractors that the Bidder may be required to submit as part of the bid, the Bidder shall, within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of a notice to do so, submit all information requested in the said notice including the names of Subcontractors and Suppliers for the part or parts of the Work listed. Failure to do so shall result in the disqualification of its bid.

GI07 (2014-03-01) Submission of bid

1. The Bid and Acceptance Form, duly completed, shall be enclosed and sealed in an envelope provided by the Bidder, and shall be addressed and submitted to the office designated on the Front Page "Invitation to Tender" for the receipt of bids. The bid must be received on or before the date and time set for solicitation closing.
2. Unless otherwise specified in the Special Instructions to Bidders
   1. the bid shall be in Canadian currency;
   2. the requirement does not offer exchange rate fluctuation risk mitigation. Requests for exchange rate fluctuation risk mitigation will not be considered. All bids including such provision will render the bid non-responsive.
3. Prior to submitting the bid, the Bidder shall ensure that the following information is clearly printed or typed on the face of the bid envelope:
   1. Solicitation Number;
   2. Name of Bidder;
   3. Return address; and
   4. Closing Date and Time.
4. Timely and correct delivery of bids is the sole responsibility of the Bidder.

GI08 (2011-05-16) Revision of bid

1. A bid submitted in accordance with these instructions may be revised by letter or facsimile provided the revision is received at the office designated for the receipt of bids, on or before the date and time set for the closing of the solicitation. The letter or facsimile shall on the Bidder's letterhead or bear a signature that identifies the Bidder.
2. A revision to a bid that includes unit prices must clearly identify the change(s) in the unit price(s) and the specific item(s) to which each change applies.
3. A letter or facsimile submitted to confirm an earlier revision shall be clearly identified as a confirmation.
4. Failure to comply with any of the above provisions shall result in the rejection of the non-compliant revision(s) only. The bid shall be evaluated based on the original bid submitted and all other compliant revision(s).

GI09 (2013-04-25) Rejection of bid

1. Canada may accept any bid, whether it is the lowest or not, or may reject any or all bids.
2. Without limiting the generality of paragraph 1) of GI09, Canada may reject a bid if any of the following circumstances is present:
   1. the Bidder's bidding privileges are suspended or are in the process of being suspended;
   2. the bidding privileges of any employee or subcontractor included as part of the bid are suspended or are in the process of being suspended, which suspension or pending suspension would render that employee or subcontractor ineligible to bid on the Work, or the portion of the Work the employee or subcontractor is to perform;
   3. the Bidder is bankrupt, or where for whatever reason, its activities are rendered inoperable for an extended period;
   4. evidence, satisfactory to Canada, of fraud, bribery, fraudulent misrepresentation or failure to comply with any law protecting individuals against any manner of discrimination, has been received with respect to the Bidder, any of its employees or any subcontractor included as part of its bid;
   5. evidence satisfactory to Canada that based on past conduct or behavior, the Bidder, a sub-contractor or a person who is to perform the Work is unsuitable or has conducted himself/herself improperly;
   6. with respect to current or prior transactions with Canada
      1. Canada has exercised, or intends to exercise, the contractual remedy of taking the work out of the contractor's hands with respect to a contract with the Bidder, any of its employees or any subcontractor included as part of its bid; or
      2. Canada determines that the Bidder's performance on other contracts is sufficiently poor to jeopardize the successful completion of the requirement being bid on.
3. In assessing the Bidder's performance on other contracts pursuant to subparagraph 2.f. i & ii GI09, Canada may consider, but not be limited to, such matters as:
   1. the quality of workmanship in performing the Work;
   2. the timeliness of completion of the Work;
   3. the overall management of the Work and its effect on the level of effort demanded of the department and its representative; and
   4. the completeness and effectiveness of the Contractor's safety program during the performance of the Work.
4. Without limiting the generality of paragraphs 1), 2) and 3) of GI09, Canada may reject any bid based on an unfavourable assessment of the
   1. adequacy of the bid price to permit the work to be carried out and, in the case of a bid providing prices per unit, whether each such price reasonably reflects the cost of performing the part of the work to which that price applies;
   2. Bidder's ability to provide the necessary management structure, skilled personnel, experience and equipment to perform competently the work under the Contract; and
   3. Bidder's performance on other contracts.
5. When Canada intends to reject a bid pursuant to a provision of paragraphs 1), 2), 3) or 4) of GI09, other than subparagraph 2)(a) of GI09, the Contracting Authority will inform the Bidder and provide the Bidder ten (10) days within which to make representations, before making a final decision on the bid rejection.
6. Canada may waive informalities and minor irregularities in bids received if Canada determines that the variation of the bid from the exact requirements set out in the Bid Documents can be corrected or waived without being prejudicial to other Bidders.

GI10 (2015-02-25) Bid costs

No payment will be made for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a bid in response to the bid solicitation. Costs associated with preparing and submitting a bid, as well as any costs incurred by the Bidder associated with the evaluation of the bid, are the sole responsibility of the Bidder.

GI11 (2020-05-28) Procurement Business Number

Suppliers are required to have a Procurement Business Number (PBN) before contract award. Suppliers may register for a PBN online at Supplier Registration Information.

GI12 (2013-04-25) Compliance with applicable laws

1. By submission of a bid, the Bidder certifies that the Bidder has the legal capacity to enter into a contract and is in possession of all valid licences, permits, registrations, certificates, declarations, filings, or other authorizations necessary to comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations applicable to the submission of the bid and entry into any ensuing contract for the performance of the work.
2. For the purpose of validating the certification in paragraph 1) of GI12, a Bidder shall, if requested, provide a copy of every valid licence, permit, registration, certificate, declaration, filing or other authorization listed in the request, and shall provide such documentation within the time limit(s) set out in the request.
3. Failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph 2) of GI12 shall result in disqualification of the bid.

GI13 (2015-02-25) Approval of alternative materials

When materials are specified by trade names or trademarks, or by manufacturers' or suppliers' names, the bid shall be based on use of the named materials. During the solicitation period, alternative materials may be considered provided full technical data is received in writing by the Contracting Officer at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the solicitation closing date. If the alternative materials are approved for the purposes of the bid, an addendum to the bid documents shall be issued.

GI14 (2010-01-11) Performance evaluation

1. Bidders shall take note that the performance of the Contractor during and upon completion of the work shall be evaluated by Canada. The evaluation shall be based on the quality of workmanship; timeliness of completion of the work; project management, contract management and management of health and safety. Should the Contractor's performance be considered unsatisfactory, the Contractor's bidding privileges on future work may be suspended indefinitely.
2. The form PWGSC-TPSGC 2913, SELECT - Contractor Performance Evaluation Report Form, is used to record the performance.

GI15 (2011-05-16) Conflict of interest—unfair advantage

1. In order to protect the integrity of the procurement process, bidders are advised that Canada may reject a bid in the following circumstances:
   1. if the Bidder, any of its subcontractors, any of their respective employees or former employees was involved in any manner in the preparation of the bid solicitation or in any situation of conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest;
   2. if the Bidder, any of its subcontractors, any of their respective employees or former employees had access to information related to the bid solicitation that was not available to other bidders and that would, in Canada's opinion, give or appear to give the Bidder an unfair advantage.
2. The experience acquired by a bidder who is providing or has provided the goods and services described in the bid solicitation (or similar goods or services) will not, in itself, be considered by Canada as conferring an unfair advantage or creating a conflict of interest. This bidder remains however subject to the criteria established above.
3. Where Canada intends to reject a bid under this section, the Contracting Authority will inform the Bidder and provide the Bidder an opportunity to make representations before making a final decision. Bidders who are in doubt about a particular situation should contact the Contracting Authority before bid closing. By submitting a bid, the Bidder represents that it does not consider itself to be in conflict of interest nor to have an unfair advantage. The Bidder acknowledges that it is within Canada's sole discretion to determine whether a conflict of interest, unfair advantage or an appearance of conflict of interest or unfair advantage exists.

GI16 (2022-01-28) Code of Conduct for Procurement—bid

The Code of Conduct for Procurement provides that Bidders must respond to bid solicitations in an honest, fair and comprehensive manner, accurately reflect their capacity to satisfy the requirements set out in the bid solicitation and resulting contract, submit bids and enter into contracts only if they will fulfill all obligations of the Contract. By submitting a bid, the Bidder is certifying that it is complying with the Code of Conduct for Procurement. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct for Procurement may render the bid non-responsive.