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Medium Support Vehicle  –  MERX  –  CF Procurement  –  March  2008 Medium Support Vehicle System  (MSVS)   Tactical Truck — MSVS  Standard Military Pattern (SMP) —  MERX  LOI Notice [ Update: Another revised LOI Notice for the MSVS SMP was issued on 6 Jan 09.] The Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) project is aimed at finding a replace- ment for the CF's aging  fleet of  2 1/2-ton  Medium Logistic Vehicles, Wheeled (or MLVWs). The MSVS contest follows the form set by DND's earlier LUVW project where a split purchase of both military and commercial pattern vehicles are chosen in an attempt  to lower costs. [1]  The two classes of  vehicle are referred  to as  the Standard Military Pattern (SMP)  –  that is a truck designed specifically for military use – and civilian truck-based Militarized Commercial Off-The-Shelf (or MilCOTS). This MERX  Notice is listed as a Letter of  Interest (LOI). However, it is really a notice that  the DND  project office wants any potential bidders to redo their pitch in light of DND's changes to the SMP requirement late in the game So why are changes to MSVS requirements being made at  this late stage?  Events have outrun the MSVS.  The traditional 2 1/2 ton medium truck  was to be replaced by a 4-to-5 ton vehicle. Then it was realized that the original SMP specification did not provide enough armour protection for overseas deployments.  Having run into the exact same problem with the G-wagons (SMP version of the LUVW) one might ask why that same SMP / MilCOTS model was applied to the MSVS  to begin with. Fortunately for the MSVS Project Management Office, the citizenry take almost no interest in these medium trucks or  how they are being procured.  That will change, of course, once the Canadian taxpayer receives the bill for MSVS and then are told that in the meantime the larger 10 ton HLVW trucks were worn out in Afghanistan. Also see: original March 2007 LOI Notice for the MSVS SMP, MilCOTS, and SEV. The MSVS Project Management Office's Appendix BH (to Annex B) – the Armour Protection System (APS) Requirement – has been reproduced on a separate page. The LOI Notice's text  (as published on the MERX website)  is reproduced below: [1] The Light Utility Vehicle, Wheeled requirement replaced the Iltis with the SMP G-wagon (which proved too light for Afghanistan) and the MilCOTS 'Milverado'. ________________________________________ MSVS – Standard Military Pattern (SMP)  –  LOI Notice [ MLVW Replacement  Letters-of-Interest ] ________________________________________ Reference Number                PW-$$BW-003-16820 Solicitation Number              W8476-06MSMP/D Organization Name               Public Works and Government Services Canada Source ID                               FD.DP.QC.10077.C2 Associated Components     Yes Dates Published     2008-03-12 Revised         — Closing         2008-04-18 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Saving Time EDT Details Category                          Transportation Equipment and Spares GSINS                               N2320: TRUCKS AND TRUCK TRACTORS, WHEELED Region of Delivery         Ontario Agreement Type             Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tender Type                    Letter  of  Interest  ( LOI ) Estimated Value               — Solicitation Method        — Notice Description MSVS [Medium Support Vehicle System] – Standard Military Pattern (SMP) Trade Agreement:                         Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tendering Procedures:                 All interested suppliers may submit a bid Attachment:                                                   None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy:  N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement:   No MEDIUM SUPPORT VEHICLE SYSTEM (MSVS) - STANDARD MILITARY PATTERN (SMP) VEHICLE PROJECTCUREMENT [sic] Feedback from Industry on Draft SMP Specifications - Invitation to Individual Sessions with the MSVS Project Management Office The draft technical specifications for the SMP Vehicle Project have been posted on  the  MSVS  website at  www.forces.gc.ca/admmat/dgmpd/msvs/index_e.asp since October 2007.  Industry feedback was solicited during previous announce- ments on MERX, and comments were received on posted documentation. Having examined the feedback and comments received on the draft SMP specifica- tions, Canada now wishes to provide companies that would be planning to partici- pate in any eventual Request for Proposal  [RFP]  as the Prime Contractor with the opportunity to participate in an additional  information session related  to the SMP requirement.   During   these   information   sessions   Prime  Contactors  will  have, should  they wish to do so , an opportunity to make a presentation related  to their capability to meet this requirement. It will also provide companies with the opport- unity to provide the MSVS Project Management Office feedback on the draft SMP specifications with particular emphasis on Appendix BH [ APS (Armour Protection System) Requirement ] and  the proposed  IED [Improvised Explosive Device] test plan  that  will  be published  soon  on the  MSVS  Website along with an updated version of  the draft technical specification. A series of questions to be addressed and other areas of interest will be posted on the MSVS  website  no later than  25 March 2008.  This will assist companies in the preparation of  materials and  provide  general guidance on the scope and  content of  the session.  Companies  must   therefore  consult  the  website   to  adequately prepare their presentation and meet the intent of  the  Individual Sessions. Canada has set aside ... two hours  for each Prime Contractor to spend with MSVS PMO personnel.  It is suggested  that Prime Contractors plan the initial  45 minutes of  their session to present their material as well as cover the questions and points outlined on the website. The remaining time ...will be utilized for interactive techni- cal questions and technical discussions with PWGSC and DND personnel. All potential participants must be aware that  PMO MSVS [sic] will  not present or release new information during these Sessions. These Sessions are intended for participants to present comments ... to the PMO staff directly. The  Individual Sessions with the  MSVS  Project Management Office will  be held on  7th,  8th  and  11th  April,  as well as  during the  week of  14th April 2008 in the National Capital Region. For the purpose of confirming their attendance and reser- ving a time period  for their Individual Session, Prime Contractors are requested to contact the PWGSC Contracting Manager for the SMP Vehicle Project, Ms Hélène Perron, ... by phone at 613-943-6983 or via Email at helene.perron@pwgsc.gc.ca no later than  2 April 2008. The exact  location for the Individual Sessions will  be con- firmed to the participants. The MSVS Project Management Office will be represented  by approximately eight personnel from DND and  PWGSC.  It is expected that Prime Contractors who elect to participate in the  Individual Sessions  will  be represented  by personnel cogni- zant of  the draft  SMP specifications,  be in a position  to present  feedback on the questions which  will  be published on the MSVS website and  any other pertinent areas of interest that may arise. It must be emphasized  that  participation  in the  Individual Sessions will  be at  no cost  to Canada. Additionally,  this invitation  is not  a  Request for Proposal (RFP) and no agreement or contract for the procurement of equipment or services will  be entered into as a result of  this invitation. There is no requirement  to participate in the  Individual Sessions in order  to  participate in any eventual  RFP, and the Indi- vidual  Sessions themselves will  have no effect on the evaluation of  responses to any eventual RFP. Delivery Date: 11/03/2008 The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. Perron, Hélène 344 Wellington Street, West Memorial Building Ottawa Ontario K1A 0A2 (613) 643-6983 ( ) Contacts Contracting Authority Name                    Hélène Perron Address               344 Wellington Street, West Memorial Building City                       Ottawa State / Province   Ontario Country                Canada Postal Code         K1A 0A2 Phone                   (613) 643-6983 ( ) Fax                        (819) 943-9340