Canada - Electronic Seals (47419-227634/A)

Description

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:

Electronic Seals - RFI

Request For Information (RFI) – eSeals Pilot
Description

INTRODUCTION

Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is seeking feedback from industry, and in particular Technology Security eSeals suppliers.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RFI

The purpose of the Request for Information is to determine what is currently available on the market for the GPS type security eSeals and systems and to assess the cost, tracking capabilities, IT and operational requirements for those systems. This RFI contains a list of specific questions and requests for additional
documentation with regards to the eSeals and tracking systems.

NATURE OF RFI

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract. As a result, 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 will not preclude that
supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry.

NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be
satisfied. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

RESPONSE COSTS

Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.

RESPONSES AND ENQUIRIES

Respondents are reminded that this is a RFI and not a Request for Proposal (RFP).

Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.

A review team composed of representatives of the client and PWGSC will review the responses on behalf of Canada. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.

Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.

Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.

PREFACE

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is looking to test different models of GPS type security seals and remote backend monitored tracking system to monitor imported goods located on the terminal at Marine Ports for border security application and trade facilitation. It would be required that these devices affixed to the outside of a container, with the intended use being to detect tampering or entry into the marine container and/or identify the unauthorized movement of containers on the dock prior to intervention by the CBSA. The CBSA is looking to procure various types of eSeals and monitoring systems for a pilot to test their usability in a busy operational environment. The backend systems must have data collection capabilities and the capacity to provide real time notifications when tampering is detected. The eSeals will be used in an outdoor environment for long periods of time.

QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY

General Questions

1) What other equipment would the CBSA be required to procure in order to accommodate this type of system?

• Is the system compatible with all types of high security bolts?

• Does the system require cell phones and access to data service?

• Are SIM cards require to provide GPS tracking?

• What sort of equipment is required for monitoring? Does a specific type of system need to be procured for effective monitoring?

2) What are the tracking capabilities of eSeals and their system?

• Can a container location be checked on demand by an authorized user?

• Can geofencing be setup for the eSeals?

• Can it provide real-time notification on when and where tampering is detected? If so, how if this done.

• How often can real-time location be updated?

• Once affixed to a container, does the eSeal offer visual tampering evidence?

• Can the eSeal indicate how long it was affixed to a container?

3) What are the required IT requirements for monitoring eSeals fleet?

• Does the procurement of the eSeals include a tracking/monitoring database?

• Can system monitoring be limited to authorized users? (Monitoring includes tampering alerts and location information)

• Can eSeals be activated, deactivated and tracked using a cellphone app?

• Is there a dedicated secure website to monitor eSeals? In which country/jurisdiction are the servers hosting this secure website located?

4) What type of eSeal is best suited to provide GPS location and coverage in remote areas?

• How often do they malfunction?

• How are the eSeals affixed to the outside of a container?

• Are they re-useable? If so how many times?

• How long does it take on average to affix and set up the eSeal on the container?

• What is required by personnel to ensure they are properly affixed and activated?

• Can they be affixed at remote locations?

5) What kind of battery is required?

• What is the average charging time for full battery?

• Are the batteries able to last a minimum of 7 days?

• What is the battery life at different reporting time intervals: once a day, once every hour, every 15 minutes, real-time?

• Do batteries come included with the eSeals?

• Are the batteries built-in or can they be replaced by the user?

6) How is the alarm system triggered when tampering is detected?

• Does an alarm go off only when an eSeal is broken or removed?

• Can it detect when a door is removed but the seal remains intact?

• Does the alarm make sound at the site of detected tampering or is only a notification sent to the remote system?

• Can an alarm be triggered when an eSeal leaves a designated geozone?

• Is an intrusion alarm instantaneous or does it become available only at the pre-set reporting time interval?

7) What are the power requirements?

• Does the monitoring system require special power equipment?

• Do the eSeals require a charging station?

8) What are the environmental limitations (operating temperature, humidity, rain etc...)?

9) What is the format of stored tampering information and location data?

• Can tracking information be uploaded into a cloud database for remote monitoring?

• Is the displayed geo data compatible with Google maps?

10) Is the backend monitoring system ready?

• What are the networking specifications for the system?

• How can the system present the stored location data and tampering information for remote monitoring and analysis?

11) Has the system been certified and deployed in Canada before (if "yes", please list locations of deployment)?

Timeline Questions

12) What are the expected minimum and average times required to deliver and set up eSeals and monitoring systems at a location in Canada?
- What are manufacturing and delivery timelines for an order of 10 units?
- What are manufacturing and delivery timelines for an order of 100 units?

13) Are there any required user training sessions?

• If so, what is the length of that session.
• Is there a cost to provide the training.
• Is e-learning available?

14) What is the life expectancy of eSeals and the relevant monitoring system?

15) How are the seals affixed to the container?
• Do the eSeals require special tools to affix?
• Do the eSeals require special reader to activate/deactivate the eSeals?
• Can the eSeals be activated/deactivated using a cellphone app? If, yes, please specify the app and whether it is available for android and/or apple devices.
• Do the eSeals obstruct the container from being loaded on a chassis for movement?
• Do the eSeal prevent the container door from being removed?

Additional Information Requested

The CBSA would like to receive:

A. Sample library of compiled tracking data (in JPEG or other standard format) captured by the proposed system; suggested data sets for this collection include but are not limited to:
? alarms during the time eSeals are affixed and active
? data depicting location and movement history
? any other data information that the manufacturer would like to provide

B. eSeals application layout drawings showing dimensions of the seals.

C. Detailed technical specifications for the eSeals and applicable accessories

D. Photographic collection of images: a collection of photographic images (in JPEG format) of the proposed eSeal units.

E. List of locations at which the similar system is already in operation.

F. Breakdown of estimated cost for eSeals, alarm capabilities, tracking system, and maintenance.

G. User manual and training materials.

H. Any other relevant information with regards to the proposed system that the manufacturer would like to provide.

I. Two e-Seals and applicable accessories for an independent testing conducted at the CBSA Lab in Ottawa. Those e-Seals will be returned to the manufacturer upon completion of the test period.

ENQUIRIES

Because 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 Request for Information may direct their enquiries to:

Supply Specialist : Johnathon Gillis - (343) 572-1201 Johnathon.Gillis2@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Public Works and Government Services Canada requests that respondents submit their written responses to the issues referenced herein or any additional comments/concerns or alternate recommendations on how this requirement can be satisfied via electronic mail to the Contracting Authority named herein.

CLOSING DATE:

Responses to this Request for Information will be accepted at any time until July 15th 2021, 2pm eastern standard time.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

Opportunity closing date

15 July 2021

Value of contract

to be confirmed