OFFICE SUPPLIES

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

1. Introduction

This Request for Information pertains to the renewal of Canada’s Standing Offer for Office and Desk Supplies. The purpose of this RFI is to initiate a dialogue on the topic of Canada’s requirements and objectives and to gain a greater understanding of the industry’s capability and challenges. Responses to this RFI will inform Canada’s decision process in refining its procurement strategy for this commodity. 

2. Background

The Government of Canada (GC) is the single largest buyer and consumer of office supplies in Canada. Additionally, since 2016, the GC has made it possible for provinces, territories, and MASH (Municipal, Academic, School and Hospital) sector entities to use federal procurement tools to buy specific commodities including office supplies and paper. 
Ten (10) of thirteen (13) provinces and territories have signed on to the Canadian Collaborative Procurement Initiative and discussions are ongoing with the remaining provinces and territories. 
The estimated annual value of procurements for this commodity is $55M. The period of the Standing Offers issued for this commodity is normally one year with (2) two one-year options. Requests for Standing Offer include a procurement set-aside for aboriginal business stream.

3. Nature of this Request for Information

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract. Potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list. Therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI, it will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the subject matter described in this RFI.

Delivery Date: 05/10/2018

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.