OVERVIEWParks Canada Agency (PCA) is posting this Request for Information (RFI) to advise industry of an upcoming solicitation.Parks Canada is in the process of consolidating its National Collection of 25 million historical and archaeological artifacts under its care, from six existing facilities to a purpose-built facility currently under construction in Gatineau, Quebec. 2. SCOPE OF WORK AND TIMELINESParks Canada’s Historical and Archaeological artifacts are presently stored in warehouses in Winnipeg, Ottawa (2 locations), Quebec City (2 locations) and Dartmouth and will need to be relocated to a new, purpose-built artifact collections facility presently under construction in Gatineau, QC., which is scheduled to be completed in the Summer of 2023.Upon completion of construction, the collection, representing a volume of approximately 7500 m3, will need to be moved from the six facilities to the new facility over an estimated period of 1 ½ to 2 years, from Fall 2023 to 2025. The artifacts will need to be accessed, packed, loaded, moved, unloaded, unpacked and stored at destination in the facility’s specialized storage system, comprised of high density 6 meter (20’) high mobile shelving units, fixed pallet racking and cantilever shelving, art racking, cool storage and secure storage.2.1 THE ARTIFACTSThe following are examples of objects and approximate corresponding volumes that will need to be moved:120 m3 of large or long objects for cantilever storage – e.g. canoes, sleds, agricultural tools470 m3 of large objects for pallet racking storage – e.g. anchors, furniture66 m3 of oversized objects >20 ft2 for storage on cantilever racking - e.g. boats, sleighs, whale bones, agricultural and industrial components70 m3 of large objects <20 ft2 to be stored on cantilever racking – e.g. timbers, agricultural tools100 m3 of objects requiring cold storage – e.g. furs57 m3 of art objects / hanging collections – e.g. paintings, pictures, photography, mirrors, frames2110 m3 of small/fragile and mixed objects on trays – e.g. ceremonial objects, personal objects, tools and equipment, archaeological objects3500 m3 of large/medium sized objects for mobile shelving units – e.g. furniture, textiles, clothing, sports equipment, and archaeological objects820 m3 or 21,300 banker boxes of archaeological objects ranging from small, to very small artifacts – e.g. ceramic chips, stone, glass, metals, and faunal material. Average weight is 16 lbs per box. As such these boxes make up the bulk of the 25 million artifacts being moved.6,300 linear ft. or 180 m3 of historical and archaeological documentation to accompany the artifacts – e.g. files, periodicals, multi-media, books reportsSpecialized equipment and furniture –e.g. map cabinets, packaging tables, work benchesPersonnel workstation items – e.g. files, binders, stationary2.2 FACILITIES LOCATION, SIZE AND ARTIFACT VOLUMESBelow is a table indicating the locations where the national collection is currently stored, as well as the approximate volumes of artifacts to be moved from each facility, along with the facility location and size. LocationFacility sizeEstimated volume of artifactsQuebec City (1)2,200 m2550 m3Quebec City (2)1,510 m21800 m3Winnipeg5,284 m2800 m3Ottawa (1)4,412 m23300 m3Ottawa (2)376 m2350 m3Dartmouth2,058 m2700 m3The location of the new collections storage facility where the artifacts will be moved is 555 Avenue des Entreprises, Gatineau, QC. The 8,200 m2 (88,000 sq.ft.) facility has a 4,300m2 (46,000 sq.ft.) of storage area that is mostly comprised of high-density 20’ high mobile shelving units, as well as pallet racking and cantilever shelving, art racking, cool storage, and secure storage.3. PROPOSED PROCUREMENT PROCESSParks is proposing a two stage procurement process:Phase 1 - Pre-qualificationThe proposed procurement is expected to be posted on CanadaBuys in March 2023.Interested bidders would be evaluated on criteria, including past experience, capacity and key personnel. Joint ventures are welcomed.Phase 2 – RFP Work PlanBidders who meet the minimum level of qualifications in Phase 1 would be invited to proceed to the RFP stage.Additional information on the move would be providedMandatory site visits to all facilities will be requiredProposals will likely require bidders to provide information on how services will be managed, Indigenous procurement strategy, proposed packing and shipping sequencing… etc.4. ENQUIRIESBecause this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries to the Contracting Authority.Bonnie Knott, Contracting AdvisorEmail:
contact@example.gov. NOTES / OTHER INFORMATIONThis is not a bid solicitation and this RFI will not result in the award of any contract. Procurement of the services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this request.Respondents and potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not earmark stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. This RFI will not result in the creation of any source list; therefore, whether or not any supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement.There will be no shortlisting of potential suppliers for the purposes of undertaking any future work as a result of this RFI. Similarly, participation in this RFI is not a condition or prerequisite for the participation in any potential subsequent solicitation. Nothing in this RFI will be construed as a commitment from Parks Canada to issue a solicitation for this requirement. Parks Canada may use non-proprietary information provided in this review and/or in the preparation of any formal solicitation document. Parks Canada will not be bound by anything stated herein and reserves the right to change at any time, any or all parts of the requirement, as it deems necessary. Parks Canada also reserves the right to revise its procurement approach, as it considers appropriate, either based upon information submitted in response to this RFI or for any other reason it deems appropriate.Please ensure that if the notice falls within the bounds of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), include the following requirements in the description:Duration of contract: (2023-08-31) to (2025-12-31)Time frame of delivery: (2023-08-31) to (2025-12-31)
