AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO THE READER must - NOTE IMPORTANTE POUR LE LECTEUR

INTRODUCTION Purpose of the RFQ The Procurement Authority, on behalf of the Project Authority, is hereby launching the Procurement Process to select a Private Developer Partner to further advance the design and the technical, financial and commercial Solution for the Project, in accordance with the Pre-Development Agreement. [...] Following the Government of Canada’s final positive investment decision on the Project at or near the conclusion of the Co-Development Phase, the Private Developer Partner would execute the Project Agreement with the Contracting Authority and become the Private Partner that would deliver the Project. [...] During the Co-Development Phase, the Project Authority and the Contracting Authority would work with VIA Rail and the Private Developer Partner to further advance the labour strategies and plans included in the Private Developer Partner’s Proposal to develop a transition plan that is acceptable to the Project Authority for the transfer of the Existing VIA Services within the Corridor to the Privat. [...] This process would involve the Project Authority, the Contracting Authority, VIA Rail and the Private Developer Partner working together to determine how to leverage the tangible and intangible assets, capabilities and talent of VIA Rail in the development and delivery of the Project, for the benefit of Canadians. [...] THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS The RFQ and RFP The Procurement Authority expects to select the Private Developer Partner at the conclusion of the Procurement Process, which consists of the two stages described in Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 below: Request for Qualifications This RFQ is issued for the purpose of allowing interested parties to submit a Response.