ARCHIVED General Instructions - Elevator Modernization

GI01 (2014-03-01) Integrity Provisions - Bid

1. Bidders must comply with the Code of Conduct for Procurement. In addition, bidders must respond to bid solicitations in an honest, fair and comprehensive manner, accurately reflect their capacity to satisfy the requirements stipulated in the bid solicitations and resulting contracts, and submit bids as well as enter into contracts only if they will fulfill all obligations of the Contract.
2. By submitting a bid, bidders confirm that they understand that, to ensure fairness, openness and transparency in the procurement process, the commission of certain acts or offences will render them ineligible to be awarded a contract. Canada will declare non-responsive any bid in respect of which the information requested is missing or inaccurate, or in respect of which the information contained in the certifications is found by Canada to be untrue in any respect, at the time of contract award. If it is determined, after contract award, that the Bidder made a false declaration, Canada will, following a notice period, have the right to terminate the Contract for default. The Bidder will be required to diligently maintain up-to-date the information requested. The Bidder and any of the Bidder's Affiliates will also be required to remain free and clear of any acts or convictions specified in these Integrity Provisions during the period of any contract resulting from this bid solicitation.
3. Affiliates
   For the purpose of these Integrity Provisions, everyone, including but not limited to organizations, bodies corporate, societies, companies, firms, partnerships, associations of persons, parent companies, and subsidiaries, whether partly or wholly-owned, as well as individuals, and directors, are Bidder's Affiliates if:
   1. directly or indirectly either one controls or has the power to control the other, or
   2. a third party has the power to control both.
   Indicia of control, include, but are not limited to, interlocking management or ownership, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, common use of employees, or a business entity created following the acts or convictions specified in these Integrity Provisions which has the same or similar management, ownership, or principal employees, as the case may be.
4. Bidders who are incorporated, including those bidding as a joint venture, must provide a complete list of names of all individuals who are currently directors of the Bidder. Bidders bidding as sole proprietorship, including those bidding as a joint venture, must provide the name of the owner. Bidders bidding as societies, firms, or partnerships do not need to provide lists of names.
   If the required names have not been received by the time the evaluation of bids is completed, Canada will inform the Bidder of a time frame within which to provide the information. Failure to provide the names within the time frame specified will render the bid non-responsive. Providing the required names is a mandatory requirement for contract award.
   Canada may, at any time, request that the Bidder provide properly completed and signed consent forms (Consent to a Criminal Record Verification form - PWGSC-TPSGC 229) for any or all individuals mentioned above within a specified time. Failure to provide such consent forms and associated information within the time frame provided, or failure to cooperate to the verification process, will result in the bid being declared non-responsive.
5. The Bidder must diligently inform Canada in writing of any change affecting the list of names of directors during this procurement process as well as during the contract period. The Bidder must also, when requested, provide Canada with properly completed and signed consent forms.
6. By submitting a bid, the Bidder certifies that it is aware, and that its Affiliates are aware, that Canada may request additional information, certifications, consent forms and other evidentiary elements proving identity or eligibility. Canada may also verify the information provided by the Bidder, including the information relating to the acts or convictions specified in these Integrity Provisions, through independent research, use of any government resources or by contacting third parties.
7. By submitting a bid, the Bidder certifies that neither the Bidder nor any of the Bidder's Affiliates have directly or indirectly, paid or agreed to pay, and will not, directly or indirectly, pay a contingency fee to any individual for the solicitation, negotiation or obtaining of the Contract if the payment of the fee would require the individual to file a return under section 5 of the Lobbying Act.
8. Time Period
   The Time Period is 10 years and is measured from the date of the conviction or from the date of the conditional or absolute discharge.
   In addition, for a conviction under paragraphs a. or b. of subsection 9, following the 10-year period, a criminal pardon or a record suspension must have been obtained, or capacities must have been restored by the Governor in Council. The Bidder must therefore provide with its bid or promptly afterwards a copy of confirming documentation from an official source for its certification to be found true by Canada for the purpose of these Integrity Provisions. If the documentation has not been received by the time the evaluation of bids is completed, Canada will inform the Bidder of a time frame within which to provide the information. Failure to comply within the time frame specified will render the bid non-responsive.
9. By submitting a bid, the Bidder certifies that neither the Bidder nor any of the Bidder’s Affiliates have been convicted of an offence or received a conditional or an absolute discharge under any of the following provisions, unless the time period, as defined in the Time Period subsection, has elapsed:
   1. paragraph 80(1)(d) (False entry, certificate or return), subsection 80(2) (Fraud against Her Majesty) or section 154.01 (Fraud against Her Majesty) of the Financial Administration Act, or
   2. section 121 (Frauds on the government and Contractor subscribing to election fund), section 124 (Selling or Purchasing Office), section 380 (Fraud) for fraud committed against Her Majesty or section 418 (Selling defective stores to Her Majesty) of the Criminal Code, or
   3. section 119 (Bribery of judicial officers, etc), section 120 (Bribery of officers), section 346 (Extortion), sections 366 to 368 (Forgery and other offences resembling forgery), section 382 (Fraudulent manipulation of stock exchange transactions), section 382.1 (Prohibited insider trading), section 397 (Falsification of books and documents), section 422 (Criminal breach of contract), section 426 (Secret commissions), section 462.31 (Laundering proceeds of crime) or sections 467.11 to 467.13 (Participation in activities of criminal organization) of the Criminal Code, or
   4. section 45 (Conspiracies, agreements or arrangements between competitors), section 46 (Foreign directives), section 47 (Bid rigging), section 49 (Agreements or arrangements of federal financial institutions), section 52 (False or misleading representation), section 53 (Deceptive notice of winning a prize) of the Competition Act, or
   5. section 239 (False or deceptive statements) of the Income Tax Act, or
   6. section 327 (False or deceptive statements) of the Excise Tax Act, or
   7. section 3 (Bribing a foreign public official), section 4 (Accounting), or section 5 (Offence committed outside Canada) of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, or
   8. section 5 (Trafficking in substance), section 6 (Importing and exporting), or section 7 (Production of substance) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.
   The Bidder also certifies that no one convicted under any of the provisions under a. or b. are to receive any benefit under a contract arising from this bid solicitation, unless a pardon or a record suspension has been obtained or capacities restored by the Governor in Council, as defined in the Time Period subsection.
10. Foreign Offences
    The Bidder also certifies that, within a period, as defined in the Time Period subsection, neither the Bidder nor any of the Bidder’s Affiliates have been convicted of or have received a conditional or an absolute discharge, under any foreign offence that Canada deems to be of similar constitutive elements to the offences listed in these Integrity Provisions. Canada will also consider foreign measures declared by Canada to be similar in nature to the Canadian pardon, record suspension, or restoration of capacities by the Governor in Council.
11. Subcontractors
    The Bidder must ensure that subcontracts include Integrity Provisions no less favourable to Canada than those imposed in the resulting contract.
12. Preventive measures associated with the Time Period
    In cases where the period, as defined in the Time Period subsection, for a conviction, or a conditional or an absolute discharge of the Bidder or any of the Bidder’s Affiliates has elapsed, then the Bidder must also certify for itself and for its Affiliates that measures have been diligently put in place in order to avoid the reoccurrence of such convictions or reprehensible actions.
13. Public Interest Exception
    Bidders understand that Canada may enter into contract with a bidder, where the Bidder or the Bidder’s Affiliates have been convicted of or have received a conditional or an absolute discharge for an offence specified in these Integrity Provisions, when required to do so by law or legal proceedings, or when Canada in its sole discretion considers it necessary to the public interest for reasons which include, but are not limited to:
    • no one else is capable of performing the contract;
    • emergency;
    • national security;
    • health and safety;
    • economic harm.
    If all bids are found non-responsive for reason of a listed relevant conviction or act, then Canada may invoke the public interest exception, as described in the paragraph above. In such cases, only bids containing a declaration concerning a relevant offence or act will be further considered. Canada may also elect to procure outside of the present process. In all cases, Canada reserves the right to impose additional conditions or measures to ensure the integrity of the procurement process.
14. Non-application
    For governments, as well as entities controlled by a government, including Crown corporations, the present Integrity Provisions are reduced to complying with article 750 of the Criminal Code, the Government Contracts Regulations and the Code of Conduct for Procurement.

GI02 (2013-04-25) Preparation of Bid

1. The bid must be
   1. submitted on the Bid and Acceptance Form provided through the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) or on a clear and legible reproduced copy of such Bid and Acceptance Form that must be identical in content and format to the Bid and Acceptance Form provided through GETS;
   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
      1. bid security as specified in GI06; and
      2. 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 GI10, 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. Initials shall be original(s). 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.

GI03 (2007-05-25) Identity or Legal Capacity of the Bidder

1. 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 (2013-04-25) Applicable Taxes

1. 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 (2010-01-11) Listing of Subcontractors and Suppliers

1. Notwithstanding any list of Subcontractors that the Bidder may be required to submit as part of the bid, the Bidder, within 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.

GI06 (2013-04-25) Bid Security Requirements

1. The Bidder shall submit bid security with the bid in the form of a bid bond or a security deposit in an amount that is equal to not less than 10 percent of the bid amount of Part "A". The Applicable Taxes shall not be included when calculating the amount of any bid security or contract security that may be required. The maximum amount of bid security required with any bid is $2,000,000.
2. A bid bond form (PWGSC-TPSGC 504) shall be in an approved form, properly completed, with original signatures and issued by an approved company whose bonds are acceptable to Canada either at the time of solicitation closing or as identified on the list displayed in Appendix L, Acceptable Bonding Companies, on the Treasury Board Web site.
3. A security deposit shall be an original, properly completed, signed where required and be either
   1. a bill of exchange, bank draft or money order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada and certified by an approved financial institution or drawn by an approved financial institution on itself; or
   2. bonds of, or unconditionally guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the Government of Canada.
4. For the purposes of subparagraph 3)(a) of GI06
   1. a bill of exchange is an unconditional order in writing signed by the Bidder and addressed to an approved financial institution, requiring the said institution to pay, on demand, at a fixed or determinable future time a sum certain of money to, or to the order of, the Receiver General for Canada;
   2. if a bill of exchange, bank draft or money order is certified by or drawn on an institution or corporation other than a chartered bank, it must be accompanied by proof that the said institution or corporation meets at least one of the criteria described in subparagraph 4)(c) of GI06, either by letter or by a stamped certification on the bill of exchange, bank draft or money; and
   3. An approved financial institution is
      1. a corporation or institution that is a member of the Canadian Payments Association as defined in the Canadian Payments Act;
      2. a corporation that accepts deposits that are insured, to the maximum permitted by law, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or the "Autorité des marchés financiers";
      3. a corporation that accepts deposits from the public if repayment of the deposit is guaranteed by Her Majesty the Queen in right of a province;
      4. a corporation, association or federation incorporated or organized as a credit union or co-operative credit society that conforms to the requirements of a credit union which are more particularly described in paragraph 137(6) of the Income Tax Act; or
      5. Canada Post Corporation.
5. Bonds referred to in subparagraph 3)(b) of GI06 shall be provided on the basis of their market value current at the date of solicitation closing, and shall be
   1. payable to bearer;
   2. accompanied by a duly executed instrument of transfer of the bonds to the Receiver General for Canada in the form prescribed by the Domestic Bonds of Canada Regulations; or
   3. registered as to principal or as to principal and interest in the name of the Receiver General for Canada pursuant to the Domestic Bonds of Canada Regulations.
6. As an alternative to a security deposit an irrevocable standby letter of credit is acceptable to Canada and the amount shall be determined in the same manner as a security deposit referred to above.
7. An irrevocable standby letter of credit referred to in paragraph 6) of GI06 shall
   1. be an arrangement, however named or described, whereby a financial institution (the "Issuer") acting at the request and on the instructions of a customer (the "Applicant") or on its own behalf,
      1. is to make a payment to, or to the order of, the Receiver General for Canada;
      2. is to accept and pay bills of exchange drawn by the Receiver General for Canada;
      3. authorizes another financial institution to effect such payment or accept and pay such bills of exchange; or
      4. authorizes another financial institution to negotiate against written demand(s) for payment provided that the conditions of the letter of credit are complied with;
   2. state the face amount which may be drawn against it;
   3. state its expiry date;
   4. provide for sight payment to the Receiver General for Canada by way of the financial institution's draft against presentation of a written demand for payment signed by the authorized departmental representative identified in the letter of credit by his/her office;
   5. provide that more than one written demand for payment may be presented subject to the sum of those demands not exceeding the face value of the letter of credit;
   6. provide that it is subject to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Uniform Customs and Practice (UCP) for Documentary Credits, 2007 Revision, ICC Publication No. 600. Pursuant to the ICC UCP, a credit is irrevocable even if there is no indication to that effect; and
   7. be issued (Issuer) or confirmed (Confirmer), in either official language, by a financial institution that is a member of the Canadian Payments Association and is on the letterhead of the Issuer or Confirmer. The format is left to the discretion of the Issuer or Confirmer.
8. Bid security shall lapse or be returned as soon as practical following
   1. the solicitation closing date, for those Bidders submitting non-compliant bids; and
   2. the administrative bid review, for those Bidders submitting compliant bids ranked fourth to last on the schedule of bids; and
   3. the award of contract, for those Bidders submitting the second and third ranked bids; and
   4. the receipt of contract security, for the successful Bidder; or
   5. the cancellation of the solicitation, for all Bidders.
9. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 8) of GI06 and provided more than three compliant bids have been received, if one or more of the bids ranked third to first is withdrawn or rejected for whatever reason then Canada reserves the right to hold the security of the next highest ranked compliant bid in order to retain the bid security of at least three valid and compliant bids.

GI07 (2014-03-01) Submission of Bid

1. The Bid and Acceptance Form, duly completed, and the bid security 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.
5. 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.

GI08 (2011-05-16) Bid Opening

1. There will be no public opening of bids.

GI09 (2010-01-11) 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 be on the Bidder's letterhead or bear a signature that identifies the Bidder.
2. The Bidder shall clearly identify the amount of the revision and to which amount and Part of the Offer it applies.
3. 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.
4. A letter or facsimile submitted to confirm an earlier revision shall be clearly identified as a confirmation.
5. 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).

GI10 (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 GI10, Canada may reject a bid where 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)(ii) of GI10, 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 GI10, 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. Where Canada intends to reject a bid pursuant to a provision of paragraphs 1), 2), 3) or 4) of GI10, other than subparagraph 2)(a) of GI10, the Contracting Authority will so 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.

GI11 (2010-01-11) Bid Costs

1. 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.

GI12 (2012-07-16) Procurement Business Number

1. Suppliers are required to have a Procurement Business Number (PBN) before contract award. Suppliers may register for a PBN online at Supplier Registration Information For non-Internet registration, suppliers may contact the InfoLine at 1-800-811-1148 to obtain the telephone number of the nearest Supplier Registration Agent.

GI13 (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 GI13, 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 said request.
3. Failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph 2) of GI13 shall result in disqualification of the bid.

GI14 (2010-01-11) Approval of Alternative Materials

1. 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 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.

GI15 (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.

GI16 (2012-07-16) 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.