Local Internet Access Services (LIAS)

Shared Services Canada (SSC) is seeking to establish a framework for delivering Local Internet Access Services (LIAS) across federal government sites nationwide through a Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) under solicitation BPM014160. The objective is to pre-qualify internet service providers capable of meeting the technical, security, and service delivery requirements for LIAS on an as-needed basis, servicing SSC, its partner organizations, mandatory clients, and other federal departments that opt to use this procurement pathway. Qualified suppliers will be issued Supply Arrangements that function as indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ)-like agreements, enabling the issuance of individual Service Orders for installation, moves, changes, disconnections, and ongoing maintenance of internet connections. The process is not a competitive bidding event but rather a selection mechanism to build a roster of vetted providers to streamline future procurements, standardize contracting, improve invoicing efficiency, and replace legacy agreements as they expire. Suppliers must register and submit responses exclusively through SSC’s Procure to Pay (P2P) Portal, with mandatory documentation including a structured response spreadsheet covering technical capability, financial information, compliance certifications, and declarations related to Indigenous business status, former public sector employment, and integrity. Key requirements include holding a valid Designated Organization Screening from Public Services and Procurement Canada, ensuring all personnel accessing sensitive sites have Reliability Status clearance, and supporting native IPv6 dual-stack configurations without tunneling. Contractors must comply with strict service level objectives, report security and privacy breaches immediately, retain access logs for seven years, and submit invoices electronically via the P2P Portal. Pricing must exclude voice services, and construction-related costs require prior written approval. Performance is tied to Service Orders with delivery locations defined per request, and acceptance occurs at the site after government-led testing. Options exist for contract extensions and emergency infrastructure scaling, with audit rights preserved to validate pricing and compliance. The solicitation closes in 2065, reflecting a long-term strategic procurement framework designed to support Canada’s evolving digital infrastructure needs.