Canada News
Contract award to supply non-operational clothing and footwear
FILE: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis meets with Canada’s Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 9, 2017. (Photo: DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)
In line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment and tools they need, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan announced that Logistik Unicorp Inc. was awarded a contract to provide non-operational clothing and footwear for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
The Non-Operational Clothing and Footwear Contract (NOCFC) will provide DND/CAF with clothing, primarily for non-operational and non-combat duties, all managed by one company. For example, these types of clothing and footwear are often worn when members are participating in a parade. The benefits of this type of clothing solution include the ability for people to order items they need online and have it shipped to their door. It also includes quicker turnaround times for product improvements, and a reduced risk of running out of stock.
Logistik Unicorp will be required to conform to mandatory Canadian content requirements. This will help ensure that the majority of the manufacturing of clothing and footwear items is done in Canada and aligned with Canadian values. The contract will help to support 4500 jobs in Canada’s textile industry.
Quotes
“From the moment our members wear it for the first time to their last day of service, the uniform is a visible reminder of their commitment to serve Canadians at home and abroad. No matter where they are, our people in uniform promote Canadian values, defend our sovereignty, and protect us from harm. As such, they deserve to be well equipped to do the important work we ask of them; and that starts with the right clothing and footwear, which this contract will provide.”
– The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
“This contract ensures that members of the Canadian Armed Forces will receive and utilize the everyday items they need to carry out their important work on behalf of Canadians. The agreement also supports jobs in the Canadian apparel and textile industry.”
– The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement
“Through this contract, our government will motivate significant economic benefits for Canadians for many years to come. Logistik Unicorp will invest in high-value research and development in areas such as advanced materials, while also investing in skills development and training to strengthen and support Canadian jobs in our apparel, textile and footwear sectors.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Quick facts
- The NOCFC will supply approximately 1,500 items of clothing for more than 160,000 people. This includes clothing items such as Regular and Reserve Force service dress uniforms, shorts, shirts, hats, shoes, as well as occupation-specific clothing items (such as those for civilian and military firefighters, military police and civilian drivers), and clothing for the Canadian Rangers, Junior Rangers and Cadets.
- A contract valued at $415 million was awarded to Logistik Unicorp Inc. of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, for an initial 6-year period. It includes options valued at up to $2.7 billion over 20 years.
- The contract contains an ethical considerations clause that requires the contractor to ensure that work done in Canada or overseas meets ethical standards such as no child or forced labour, reasonable work hours, fair wages and a safe work environment.
- The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, including Value Proposition, was applied to the NOCFC request for proposal requirements to leverage economic benefits for Canada equal to the value of the logistics services component of the contract. As a result, the contract will ensure long-term, sustainable support for the Canadian apparel, textile and footwear sectors, through R&D in Key Industrial Capabilities like Advanced Materials, and skills development and training investments to support Canadian workers.
- The Contractor will be required to conform to mandatory requirements of the Canadian Content Policy, as well as ensuring that the manufacturing of clothing and footwear items continues to be done in Canada, in accordance with modified Rules of Origin for Canadian textiles and apparel.
