Frequently Asked Questions — Enhanced Priority Technology List
- Why are you establishing an Enhanced Priority Technology List (EPTL)?
- Is there a minimum requirement associated with the EPTL? When does it need to be identified?
- Why was a minimum five (5) percent chosen to implement the EPTL requirement?
- With the new EPTL, what happens to the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Technology List (SADTL)?
- To what procurements will the EPTL be applied?
- Is the intent of the EPTL to address future procurement needs of DND?
- What organization administers the EPTL?
- Will procurements from other departments\agencies subject to the IRB Policy have EPTL-like requirements?
- Is a Contractor on a project falling within a specific sector restricted to only certain elements of the EPTL? For example, is a Contractor on a marine project restricted to only the "ships" portion of the EPTL?
- When will the EPTL be available during a procurement project? Can the EPTL change?
- Are EPTL-related IRB transactions required to meet the IRB Eligibility Criteria?
- Can IRB transactions that are eligible for multipliers also be used to meet the EPTL requirement?
- Will EPTL requirements be subject to performance guarantees in the contract?
- Where can I get more information and guidance on the EPTL requirement?
Q1 Why are you establishing an Enhanced Priority Technology List (EPTL)?
The EPTL will align the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy more closely with long-term critical technology requirements of the Department of National Defence (DND).
top of pageQ2 Is there a minimum requirement associated with the EPTL? When does it need to be identified?
Yes, there is a minimum requirement of five (5) percent. This means that contractors must achieve five (5) percent of their total IRB obligation through activities related to the EPTL. Contractors will have the life of the contract to meet this EPTL requirement, and are encouraged to begin planning early. For example, bidders may identify EPTL-related IRB transactions in their IRB proposal at bid closing. Also, any banked EPTL transactions can be put forward in their IRB proposal.
top of pageQ3 Why was a minimum five (5) percent chosen to implement the EPTL requirement?
The five (5) percent minimum requirement was selected because it represents an achievable level of investment in future DND technology requirements and ensures alignment with DND's anticipated critical technology requirements.
top of pageQ4 With the new EPTL, what happens to the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Technology List (SADTL)?
The existing SADTL may be considered for future projects, on a case by case basis.
top of pageQ5 To what procurements will the EPTL be applied?
The EPTL will be applied to all procurements with IRB requirements. The application of the five percent minimum requirement will be reviewed and confirmed, as appropriate, for each procurement.
top of pageQ6 Is the intent of the EPTL to address future procurement needs of DND?
No. The EPTL contains a list of the anticipated future critical technology needs of DND. There is no commitment on the part of the Government of Canada that it will procure specific technologies developed as part of EPTL transactions. In addition, a bidding company's involvement in EPTL IRB transactions will not influence the outcome of Canada's procurement processes.
top of pageQ7 What organization administers the EPTL?
Industry Canada (IC) administers the EPTL, as the IRB Authority. IC is responsible for confirming the EPTL-related IRB requirements for individual projects, assessing and determining the IRB eligibility of proposed activities, and working with IRB Contractors to provide advice and guidance.
top of pageQ8 Will procurements from other departments\agencies subject to the IRB Policy have EPTL-like requirements?
Yes, procurements, subject to the IRB Policy, from other government departments\agencies may have EPTL-like requirements as part of their IRB program. These other government departments\agencies will be invited to identify technologies that reflect for their particular future technology needs.
top of pageQ9 Is a Contractor on a project falling within a specific sector restricted to only certain elements of the EPTL? For example, is a Contractor on a marine project restricted to only the "ships" portion of the EPTL?
No, Contractors can propose transactions from any portion of the EPTL.
top of pageQ10 When will the EPTL be available during a procurement project? Can the EPTL change?
The most recent version of the EPTL will be part of the Request For Proposal (RFP).
It is anticipated that the EPTL will be updated regularly and thus evolve with the operational requirements of DND. However, only the most recent version of the EPTL, identified by date and version number, will be included with a RFP for a specific procurement project. The specific version of the EPTL requirement will become part of the contract between the Government of Canada and the Contractor and will apply for the duration of the IRB obligation.
The EPTL version being applied to a project may change after contract award. However, replacing the EPTL would require agreement between the IRB Authority and the Contractor, as part of a contract change proposal.
top of pageQ11 Are EPTL-related IRB transactions required to meet the IRB Eligibility Criteria?
Yes, all EPTL-related IRB transactions must meet the IRB Eligibility Criteria. EPTL-related transactions will also be assessed against various technical criteria, such as: relevance to the EPTL, and the unique and cutting-edge nature of the technology.
top of pageQ12 Can IRB transactions that are eligible for multipliers also be used to meet the EPTL requirement?
Yes, IRB transactions that are otherwise eligible for multipliers can be also used to satisfy the EPTL requirement, if they meet the eligibility and technical criteria outlined above in answer 11.
top of pageQ13 Will EPTL requirements be subject to performance guarantees in the contract?
Yes, EPTL commitments will be subject to performance guarantees.
top of pageQ14 Where can I get more information and guidance on the EPTL requirement?
Industry Canada's IRB Directorate can provide information and guidance on the EPTL. IC will make the EPTL available online on the IRB website. The most recent EPTL will be released to potential bidders on specific projects through the RFP. Following contract award, IC is available to meet with the Contractor to provide information and guidance on the EPTL requirement.
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