CBSA Posts Communique to IT Suppliers on Border Action Plan

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 8, 2012) - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is providing advance notice to Information Technology (IT) suppliers regarding its efforts to put the Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness to work for Canada.

The CBSA will post a communiqué on MERX, Canada's electronic tendering service, this week as a heads up to IT suppliers to encourage them to familiarize themselves with the details of the Action Plan (www.borderactionplan.gc.ca).

"Our Government's priority is the economy and tomorrow our government is taking concrete steps towards implementing the Border Action Plan," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. "We are encouraging small and medium enterprises to get involved. This is an exciting opportunity which will create jobs and boost economic growth. Once these initiatives are in place, our border will be more efficient for travellers and traders alike."

The CBSA has a lead role in implementing initiatives under the Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Harper and U.S. President Obama last December. By providing suppliers with a first glance at the upcoming procurement requirements, this communiqué demonstrates Canada's commitment to an open and transparent process.

On December 7, 2011, the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States announced an Action Plan containing more than 30 initiatives designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, and improve North American security. As the Government of Canada Agency responsible for providing integrated border services, the CBSA is leading or involved with many of the Action Plan's initiatives.

This communiqué introduces a new IT Services Supply Chain for the CBSA which will help to establish up to 10 work streams to streamline procurement for the Action Plan and other priority files. Each of the predefined Work Streams will be comprised of multiple resources within a variety of resource categories. The procurement of this Supply Chain will be based on the Public Works and Government Services Canada Task Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS) supply arrangement. It is expected that up to three contracts per work stream will be issued.

The communiqué is for informational purposes only (http://www.merx.com/).