DCC prepares for the modernization of the Official Languages Act

The Government of Canada is in the process of modernizing the official languages regime including recent changes to related policies and upcoming amendments to the Official Languages Act. These changes impact how Defence Construction Canada (DCC) supports the Department of National Defence (DND) in the delivery of its infrastructure and environmental programs.

Over the coming months, DCC will be creating at each DND location, open construction source lists that will be used to implement construction contracts (commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, civil) under $10 million. The requests will be published through the MERX system and contractors who wish to have the opportunity to bid on DCC tenders will be required to submit their name for the source lists.

To qualify for the source lists, contractors will only need to provide the legal name of their company and their language preference for the tender documents, the contract documents and communication during the execution of the contract. At locations where contractors all have indicated the same (unilingual) language preference, DCC may elect to issue tender documents in only that language. Otherwise, tender documents will be issued in both official languages.

Since more tenders may need to be published in both official languages, professional engineers and architects that provide services in support of DND’s infrastructure and environmental programs may be required to produce more plans and specifications in English and French concurrently to meet the potential increase in demand.

The source lists will be open to general, trade and civil contractors and suppliers.

Contractors will require an active MERX account as well as an Authorized Signer PIN generated by MERX so that they can submit electronic bids.

Any questions regarding the foregoing may be submitted to:

Defence Construction Canada
350 Albert Street, 19th floor
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0K3
Mark.Smith@dcc-cdc.gc.ca