Volume 18, No. 1, June 2014

The Bulletin

Acquisitions and Directory Services (ADS)
Volume 18, No. 1, June 2014

Message to all conference interpretation suppliers

In 2012, the Translation Bureau launched a review of its structure and the way in which it delivers services to its clients. This review is in line with the transformation initiatives currently under way across the public service.

One of the pillars of the transformation at the Bureau is the modernization of its contracting strategy and the reform of its procurement mechanisms for translation and interpretation.

In interpretation, contracting modernization is being carried out in conjunction with the Acquisitions Branch at Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). The Request for Information (RFI) in official language in the NCR posted in February 2014 on PWGSC's buyandsell.gc.ca site constitutes the first discussion with the industry. The feedback obtained will be taken into consideration in the preparation of subsequent consultations.

In addition, the Bureau and Acquisitions will be setting up an advisory process in which all interpretation service providers will be able to take part.

To begin with, Acquisitions and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises will be offering information sessions on contracting mechanisms and tools for interpretation service providers.

Secondly, Acquisitions and the Bureau will be holding focus group sessions to which interpretation service providers, professional associations and representatives of the academic community will be invited. The discussions will focus on the issues and challenges facing the Bureau and its suppliers with respect to interpretation services and on potential solutions.

Thirdly, based on the feedback and recommendations gathered from the focus groups, Acquisitions will work with the Bureau to develop the initial draft of the procurement instrument. The draft will then be posted on buyandsell.gc.ca and submitted to suppliers for their feedback and recommendations.

To find out more information on the translation and interpretation procurement reform activities, subscribe to the Translation Bureau's E-Mail Notification Service and to its RSS feed for the Suppliers Info and The Bulletin for suppliers, in addition to regularly visiting the buyandsell.gc.ca website. These are effective ways of staying on top of the Bureau's and Acquisitions' communications.

Please note that the calendar of events referred to above will be posted in due course on buyandsell.gc.ca.

Again, the Translation Bureau and the Acquisitions Branch thank you for your interest in the RFI and sincerely hope that many of you will take part in the advisory process.

If you have any questions about the procurement process, please contact the contracting authority at the address below: