Government of Canada contract benefits Canadian Forces and stimulates economy

For immediate release

EDMONTON, Alberta, May 31, 2009 – Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, today announced a two-year $20 million contract to provide specialized training for our armed forces. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

The contract demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide members of the Canadian Forces with the best possible training to fulfill their roles, as well as its support of economic stimulus and job creation while providing best possible value for taxpayers.

“The Government of Canada is steadfast in its support of the Canadian Forces. This contract will ensure that Canadian soldiers have the best training possible before going on missions overseas,” said Minister Paradis. “The contract will also generate spin-off benefits for local economies, and provide jobs for Canadians.”

“Well-trained soldiers are our most valuable resource,” said Minister MacKay. “The men and women of the Canadian Forces deserve the best we can offer to support them in the performance of their duties, and to contribute to their safety and success, as well as the safety of the civilians in their midst.”

“With this urban battlefield training program our troops will develop the skills and experience they will need to save lives and protect themselves during operations in Afghanistan,” said Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, Laurie Hawn. “At the same time, we are creating local jobs and stimulating economic growth.”

The Canadian Forces’ training program, know as Civilians in the Battlefield, delivers realistic training scenarios for soldiers serving in overseas operations. It depicts the challenges and dangers of actual deployment and simulates conditions that troops will encounter in places like Afghanistan.

Public Works and Government Services Canada awarded the contract on behalf of the Department of National Defence to Allied Container Systems, who will provide role players in various training exercises at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta, and other Canadian military bases across Canada. The training and capability development support is essential to the planning and execution of Canadian Forces operations, and is carried out in a cost-effective, environmentally sound, simulated environment.

- 30 -

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For further information, please contact:

Mary-Ann Dewey-Plante
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada
613-218-6961

Jay Paxton
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Peter MacKay
Minister of National Defence and Minister for the
Atlantic Gateway
613-996-3100

Mark Penner
Special Assistant to Laurie Hawn, MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister of National Defence
613-992-4524

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at: www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

BACKGROUND

Civilians in the Battlefield Training Contract

The Department of National Defence (DND) requires a contractor to provide training exercises at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta and other military bases across Canada. The exercises closely replicate the environment found in the field and present scenarios that soldiers might encounter in carrying out their duties. The contract will extend from signing to July 15, 2011. The existing contract is with Allied Container Systems Inc. and expires on June 30, 2009.

On September 9, 2008, a Notice of Proposed Procurement advertising Request for Proposal was posted on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS). No compliant proposals were received as a result of this notice. On November 20, 2008, a Notice of Proposed Procurement advertising a new Request for Proposal was posted on the GETS. Five firms requested the bid package. Allied Container Systems Incorporated submitted the only proposal that was deemed compliant. A contract was awarded to Allied Container Systems Incorporated.

Allied Container Systems Incorporated supplies tactical training support for the Military, Law Enforcement and other First Responders so that they are trained prior to deployment for real world operations. It is a Canadian subsidiary of a US company.

The $20 million contract includes a minimum guaranteed expenditure of $5,221,265.00 (plus GST). PWGSC will manage the contract in coordination with DND and the contractor and will review expenditures and performance. This contract will help support jobs and local economies in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada.