Government of Canada awards contract for acquisition of four naval large tugs

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  February 10, 2020 | Local, Land

  Industry representatives meet with Canadian Army staff on clothing, equipment modernization

  DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Industry representatives met with Canadian Army procurement staff on Wednesday to get a better sense of where the land force is going with the re-equipment of its soldiers. The industry day took place in Gatineau and was focused on the Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization or SOCEM project. “The SOCEM Initiative is an integrated approach to procurement,” Lt.-Col. Ray Corby, from the Army's Directorate of Land Requirements, said in a statement. “With it, we are replacing many clothing and equipment items in a single, coordinated effort rather than running many individual projects for separate equipment items.” Through SOCEM, the Canadian Army wants to use technological advances made by industry and consult with companies in advance of a procurement being officially launched. Corby said such a process will help the Army better understand how industry can meet its needs as well as inform Army procurement staff about the expertise residing with the civilian firms. As part of SOCEM, the Canadian Army is considering a newly-designed uniform pattern that may better reflect the current operational environment. Last fall, more 600 soldiers at Petawawa were involved in testing what could be the new camouflage uniform pattern. It is being considered as a possible replacement for both the current arid (tan) and temperate woodland (green) camouflage used by the Canadian Forces. The prototype pattern, developed by Canadian defence scientists, was predominately brown, with some green and black. The addition of more brown in the pattern “reflects the desire to bring it more into the middle of the spectrum and is not necessarily tied to a specific operating environment,” Corby explained in an interview last year with Defence Watch. The current Canadian Disruptive Pattern, or CADPAT, has been in use since the early 2000s. The computer-generated pattern is highly regarded among camouflage designers. But Corby noted, “It's definitely time for a refresh.” Industry representatives who attended the meeting in Gatineau on Wednesday were also told that SOCEM could also involve various pieces of cold and wet weather clothing, such as ballistic cold weather goggles and hybrid combat shirts. The Canadian Army is also looking at new hearing protection and other equipment with the potential to prevent injuries and improve operational communications. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/industry-representatives-meet-with-canadian-army-staff-on-clothing-equipment-modernization

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  July 23, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

  Canada announces next step in future fighter competition

  GATINEAU, QC, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is ensuring the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to do their jobs. As part of its defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the government is acquiring 88 advanced fighter jets to provide the capability the Canadian Armed Forces needs to ensure the safety and security of Canadians and meet its international obligations. This is the most significant investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years. With it, the government will deliver the aircraft that meet Canada's needs, while ensuring good value for Canadians. This investment will support the growth of Canada's highly skilled workforce in the aerospace and defence industries for decades to come, from coast to coast. Today, the government achieved a major milestone in the process. Following extensive engagement with industry and eligible suppliers over the past 18 months, the formal Request for Proposals has now been released to eligible suppliers. The following suppliers have until spring 2020 to submit initial proposals to Canada: Sweden—SAAB AB (publ)—Aeronautics United Kingdom and Northern Ireland—Airbus Defense and Space GmbH (with MBDA UK Limited, L3 Technologies MAS and CAE Canada) United States—Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company) (with Pratt and Whitney) United States—The Boeing Company (with Peraton Canada Corp., CAE Inc., L3 Technologies MAS Inc., GE Canada and Raytheon Canada Limited Services and Support Division) Canada will provide two opportunities for all bidders to demonstrate that they can present a plan to meet Canada'ssecurity and interoperability requirements. The security offer is due in fall 2019, and following feedback from Canada, bidders may revise and resubmit that offer as part of the initial proposal in spring 2020. Bidders will also have an opportunity to address deficiencies in their proposals related to mandatory criteria. Rather than being rejected immediately for not meeting mandatory requirements, bidders will receive feedback from Canadaso that they can address non-compliance. This approach has already been used for other large federal procurements and has proven to be successful in maintaining a high level of competition. All bidders will be subject to the same evaluation criteria, and proposals will be rigorously assessed on elements of technical merit (60%), cost (20%) and economic benefits (20%). This procurement attributes one of the highest weightings to economic benefits for Canada in its history. All suppliers will be required to provide a plan for economic benefits equal to the value of their proposed contract, with maximum points only being awarded to suppliers who provide contractual guarantees. This open and transparent competition is being monitored by an independent Fairness Monitor to ensure a level playing field for all potential bidders. The Fairness Monitor's interim report on the supplier qualification and engagement process found that activities were conducted in a fair manner. The Fairness Monitor provided the following statement to Public Services and Procurement Canada: "As the Fairness Monitor for the Future Fighter Capability Project, we have monitored the project throughout the qualification and engagement stage, including the development of the Request for Proposals, and we have identified no fairness deficiencies. It is our opinion that the process has been conducted in a fair manner. Decisions were made objectively and free from personal favouritism or improper influence, and the process encompassed the elements of openness, competitiveness, transparency and compliance." The evaluation of proposals, including any revised proposals, is expected to result in identifying the selected bidder in early 2022, with the first aircraft delivery starting as early as 2025. The Government of Canada will continue making progress on this significant project to ensure the safety and security of Canadians over the coming decades. Quotes "Our government is delivering on its promise to replace Canada's fighter jet fleet through an open and transparent competition. Today marks an important step in the process that will provide the women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force with the aircraft they need to help ensure the safety and security of Canadians, at the right price and with the most economic benefit to Canada." The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility "The procurement of a fleet of 88 future fighter aircraft is an essential step forward that our government committed to in Strong, Secure, Engaged. This investment will mean that the Royal Canadian Air Force has what it needs to protect Canadians. It is essential that we get the right equipment that will serve our women and men in uniform for decades to come." The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan Minister of National Defence "Concrete, lasting economic benefits for Canadians are a priority for this project. This procurement is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the growth of Canada's highly skilled workforce in the aerospace and defence industries. We are confident Canadians will reap the full value of this procurement process through investments, research and development, and good jobs for decades to come." The Honourable Navdeep Bains Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Quick facts The Government of Canada has remained engaged with the Canadian aerospace and defence industries since the launch of this process in December 2017, to ensure they are well positioned to participate in this procurement. A contract award is anticipated in the early 2022 timeframe, and the first replacement aircraft is expected to be delivered as early as 2025. Transition to a new fighter fleet will require continuing operations with the existing CF-18s until the new fleet reaches its full operational capability. The integration of additional Australian fighters is helping ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces has the equipment it needs to continue to deliver its missions, and to meet its international obligations. Associated links Future fighter capability project Fighter jets Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada For further information: Marielle Hossack, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, 819-997-5421; Media Relations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, 819-420-5501, media@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca Related Links www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-announces-next-step-in-future-fighter-competition-838355040.html

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  January 24, 2019 | Local, Naval

  Davie souhaite une «grappe maritime»

  JEAN-MICHEL GENOIS GAGNON Le Soleil En prévision du passage du premier ministre du Canada dans la capitale vendredi, deux joueurs de l'industrie maritime du Québec dressent leurs demandes à Justin Trudeau en lien avec la Stratégie nationale de construction navale. Si rien n'est fait, de l'expertise et des emplois sont en danger. Chantier Davie souhaite que le Québec s'inspire de l'Europe pour faire évoluer sa stratégie navale. L'entreprise demande au gouvernement provincial de mettre sur pied une grappe maritime qui «permettrait de générer des milliards de dollars en retombées économiques», a appris Le Soleil. Dans un document présenté à l'occasion des consultations prébudgétaires, Davie dresse le portrait de sa situation ainsi que ses prévisions pour les années à venir. Si rien n'est fait, le chantier maritime de Lévis pourrait connaître de nouveau des jours sombres entre 2019 et 2020. Période où le carnet de commandes est presque à sec. De 1331 travailleurs en 2017, Davie sert de gagne-pain aujourd'hui à environ 200 personnes. Rappelons qu'au moment où le groupe Inocea, nouveau propriétaire, a pris les commandes en 2012, il n'y avait qu'une poignée de salariés, notamment des agents de sécurité et des employés d'entretien. Pour éviter d'autres problèmes de santé, Davie propose de faire du Québec un centre d'excellence pour l'Arctique spécialisé dans une niche de technologies et de classes de navires. Davie lance comme idée la création d'une grappe maritime, comme on retrouve en Finlande, en Norvège, aux Pays-Bas, en France et en Italie. «L'avantage concurrentiel d'une grappe maritime réside dans son intégralité et ses connexions, dans ses connaissances et compétences avancées ainsi que dans sa spécialisation régionale», notent des responsables du chantier maritime. «Les fournisseurs qui font affaire avec l'industrie maritime, même s'ils ne sont pas traditionnellement liés à celle-ci, augmentent considérablement leurs opportunités d'exportation», ajoutent-ils. Ces derniers estiment que le Québec possède actuellement tous les ingrédients pour créer une grappe maritime prospère. «Davie a construit le premier traversier au GNL en Amérique du Nord, Chantier Forillon a construit le premier traversier à piles en Amérique du Nord et Terragon de Montréal est le leader mondial des technologies de déchets marins écologiques». Stratégie maritime Pour y parvenir, Davie demande toutefois au gouvernement provincial de faire davantage pression sur Ottawa afin que le Québec obtienne sa juste part des 100 milliards $ investis dans la Stratégie nationale de construction navale. L'organisation réitère que ses rivaux n'ont toujours pas livré la marchandise. L'entreprise de Lévis juge que 23 % de la cagnotte de 100 milliards $ aiderait à faire de la province un leader à l'international. Un montant qui générerait «50 milliards $» en retombées économiques pour le Québec sur une période de 20 ans et qui assurerait le maintien de 8000 à 12 000 emplois directs et indirects. «Munie d'une telle base, la chaîne de valeur de la construction navale au Québec pourrait rivaliser avec les grands pays constructeurs navals européens», fait valoir Davie. «En 2016, la grappe maritime norvégienne a rapporté plus de 9,7 milliards $, a atteint une création de valeur de 2,7 milliards $ et a employé 18 000 personnes.» En décembre dernier, l'Assemblée nationale a adopté à l'unanimité une motion visant à appuyer la croisade du chantier maritime. Québec, qui reconnaît ainsi l'expertise de l'entreprise, réclame qu'Ottawa ajuste sa Stratégie nationale de construction navale et octroie, à court terme, à Davie un contrat pour un second navire ravitailleur de la classe Resolve. Cet accord qui vise la construction du navire Obelix pour la Marine royale canadienne — son jumeau l'Asterix avait coûté 650 millions $ — pourrait agir comme bouée de sauvetage et assurer du boulot à 1500 travailleurs. Sans le feu vert pour la construction de ce nouveau navire, Davie ne cache pas que certaines périodes pourraient être plus difficiles, et ce, même si des contrats ont récemment été signés. Contrat mal présenté Dans son document, la direction du chantier maritime affirme que le contrat de 610 millions $ lui étant octroyé par Ottawa pour la construction de trois brise-glaces pour la Garde côtière a été «faussement présenté». «En réalité, la vaste majorité de ce montant a servi à l'achat des navires déjà construits à l'étranger, et non pas pour les travaux ni pour des emplois au chantier». Quant aux travaux annoncés pour l'entretien des 12 frégates de la classe Halifax de la Marine royale canadienne, des contrats de 7 milliards $, Davie rappelle que ces chantiers ne commenceront que vers la fin 2020 et que le travail sera réparti entre les trois grands joueurs au pays, Davie, Irving Shipyards (Halifax) et Seaspan Shipyards (Victoria). «Les intervalles entre les travaux pour chacun de ces trois navires peuvent atteindre jusqu'à 9 mois. Cette charge de travail sporadique n'est pas suffisante pour maintenir le plus grand chantier naval canadien ni pour assurer des emplois stables et de valeur aux travailleurs de près de 900 entreprises locales», prévient Davie. https://www.latribune.ca/actualites/le-fil-groupe-capitales-medias/davie-souhaite-une-grappe-maritime-afc7b5ef4a1d96e31263d006e57e7b8a