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Government of Canada

Jan 19, 2009 12:00 ET
Winnipeg Firm Awarded CF Rainwear Contract: 500 Canadian Jobs to Be Maintained

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Jan. 19, 2009) - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the awarding of a contract to Peerless Garments of Winnipeg to supply camouflage rain suits to Canadian Forces' soldiers.

This contract demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to provide members of the Canadian Forces with the best possible equipment to fulfill their roles, as well as its support of Canadian companies while obtaining the best possible value for taxpayers. The rain suit was developed by the Department of National Defence and Public Works and Government Services Canada in conjunction with the Canadian textile industry.

"This is just one more example of the expertise and ingenuity of our Winnipeg companies," said Minister Toews. "This contract will not only provide significant benefits for Manitoba but will also secure 500 Canadian manufacturing jobs at a time when we need it most."

The rain suits are just one component of National Defence's Clothe the Soldier Project to equip Canadian Forces personnel with year-round clothing for all types of weather conditions.

"The Government of Canada is committed to working with Canadian companies," said Minister Paradis. "I am always proud to see a Canadian company providing our forces with gear designed and manufactured right here in Canada."

The contract, which will run from 2009 to 2011, was awarded to Peerless Garments following a competitive procurement process. The company will provide the Department of National Defence with 74,000 rain trousers and 74,000 hooded rain jackets, as well as extra hoods and specially-sized pants and hooded jackets. Peerless Garments has certified that the fabric will be woven in Canada.

"It is a cornerstone of this Government's Canada First Defence Strategy to provide our CF members with everything they need to continue their outstanding work," said Minister MacKay. "This is another example of the excellent work to come out of the Clothe the Soldier project and I am delighted to have this contract underway."

The rain suits will carry the Canadian Forces' trademarked Canadian Disruptive Pattern camouflage. The first shipment of rain suits will arrive in spring 2009.


BACKGROUNDER

The Department of National Defence's Clothe the Soldier Project was established in 1996 to provide Canadian Forces personnel with environmental and battlefield protective clothing and equipment to be used world-wide, year-round and in all types of weather conditions. The 74,000 Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) camouflage rain suits are only one component of the project.

The CADPAT rain suit was developed by the Department of National Defence and Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) in conjunction with the Canadian textile industry. It will be manufactured by Peerless Garments of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Canadian-made and developed rain suit will keep Canadian Forces personnel dry and comfortable in temperatures ranging from +5 degrees C to +25 degrees C by providing wind and rain protection as well as allowing perspiration and heat to be transferred outside the garment.

Following a competitive procurement process, Peerless Garments was awarded the two-year contract, which is valued at $32.5 million, to produce 74,000 camouflage hooded rain jackets and 74,000 rain pants, as well as extra hoods and specially sized pants and hooded jackets. The contract will run from 2009 to 2011, with the Department of National Defence receiving the first rain suits in spring 2009.

To ensure an open, fair and transparent procurement process, PWGSC issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on the Government's Electronic Tendering Service - MERXTM - on February 14, 2008. The RFP remained open until April 3, 2008.

The Canadian Content Policy applied to this procurement which limited suppliers to only those offering Canadian goods. In addition, the RFP stipulated that the fabric had to be woven in Canada.

Four bids were received and evaluated. Peerless Garments was the only bid that met all the mandatory requirements.

Ce texte est egalement disponible en francais.

For more information, please contact
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Mary-Ann Dewey-Plante
Press Secretary
819-956-5325 / Mobile: 613-218-6961
Mary-Ann.Dewey-Plante@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

or

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
Christine Csversko, Director of Communications
613-957-2666
613-957-2806 (FAX)
Christine.Csversko@tbs-sct.gc.ca

or

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

or

Department of National Defence
Media Liaison Office
613-996-2353 (local and international)
1-866-377-0811 (anywhere in Canada)
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