Financial statements submitted at group level shall be deemed acceptable for the purposes of this procedure. Notwithstanding the above, the surety bond (bank draft) in the amount of CAD 30,000.00 (10% of the total contract value ) must be issued exclusively in the name of the individual legal entity participating in the tender and shall not be issued in the name of the group or any parent company.

Budget Allocation Per Project 1. Given that the framework contract covers approximately 12 projects over two years, with a maximum total value of CAD 300,000, should bidders assume an average budget allocation per project? The 12 projects are merely an estimate of ITA’s activities, and there is no specific allocation of the budget per project. The CAD 300,000.00 represents the maximum budget that ITA assigns to the supplier over the two-year period. Therefore, the actual level of expenditure at the end of the contract will not exceed the above-indicated amount, based on needs and available budget, For each project there will be different availability of funds: therefore there will be a different mix of services required for each project. (es: One project might require only photographic services and others might require multiple services to build the communication campaign).For that reason we have asked prices for all the services listed in the bid. 2. Are projects expected to be relatively similar in scope and scale, or will certain initiatives such as major trade shows or institutional events carry significantly larger budgets than others? As indicated above bidders are required to submit a quotation for the services listed, independently of the project and its allocated budget. Speaker Identification and Securing 3. With respect to the requirement for assistance in identifying and securing speakers and moderators, does this include negotiation and payment of speaker fees within the awarded service price or will their speaker fees be over and above the allocated budget of this project? Your prices will not include speakers fees nor travel expenses .If required they will be paid separately, usually directly by us (ITA). As we are a Public Institution we usually don’t pay fees to speakers. 4. Alternatively, will speaker honorariums and travel costs be covered directly by ITA outside of the framework contract value? See above. Twenty-Minute Event Video 5. For the section which states that ITA’s scope requires a video of an event lasting approximately 20 minutes, could you clarify the intended purpose of this deliverable? For example, is it primarily for institutional reporting, promotional use, website publication, or internal documentation? All the above purposes. Our budget usually includes only 1 twenty -minutes video widespread to all Stakeholders for all the intended aforementioned purposes.Usually includes interviews to Italian companies, highlights of the event, most iconic and institutional moment of the event with Public Institution personalities, Ita officials (Director of the offices in Canada). 6. Is this deliverable expected for every event under the entire project scope, or is it one 20-minute video covering the entire project? In most cases, one project corresponds to one event, and therefore to one twenty-minute video. However, if a project includes multiple events, we may request a twenty-minute video for each event. The bidder is required to quote for a twenty-minute video regardless of whether there will be one or multiple video requests per project. If ITA requires any other services not included in the bid Ita will require the company to submit another specific quotation. 7. Should bidders assume full post-production services including editing, music licensing, subtitles, translations, and graphics? Yes Emotional Video Deliverable 8. When both a 20-minute event video and a 2-to-3-minute emotional recap video are referenced, should these be considered separate deliverables within a single project? Yes 9. Will both formats typically be required for the same event or will it vary per event? For each event we could require only one of the aforementioned or both or none (ie: only pictures). Penalty Clause Clarification 10. Section 13 indicates a 2 percent penalty for each day of delay in delivering requested services. Could you clarify how “delivery terms” are formally defined and agreed upon? The delivery time will be clarified and agreed upon by the parties for each request at the time of the purchase order. 11. Does this penalty apply only to final deliverables, or to interim milestones as well? The deadline for the delivery of the service or services will be specified in the individual purchase order letter. Any applicable penalty fee will therefore take into account the expected delivery date of the service. 12. How are delays handled in situations where timelines are impacted by ITA feedback cycles, third-party suppliers, or force majeure circumstances? The situation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Penalty fees may be applied only in the event of serious breaches by the supplier. Security Deposit Requirement 13. Section 14 requires a performance surety bond or cashier’s check equal to 10 percent of the total contract value. Is this 10 percent calculated against the full CAD 300,000 framework ceiling? Yes, the 10% surety deposit is equal to CAD 30,000.00 14. Is this deposit required immediately upon award of the framework contract, or upon issuance of the first purchase order? The surety deposit is required before the signing of the awarded framework contract 15. Under what circumstances might ITA waive this requirement for companies of proven financial solidity? Companies must be financially solid as we are Public Institution. Per Unit Pricing and Weighting 16. The economic evaluation references a weighted average of the prices provided in Annex C. Could ITA clarify the anticipated frequency or estimated quantities for each service category? - How many webinars they expect - How many 20-minute videos will be required - Whether media relations is required for every event - Whether digital campaigns are standard for all projects The weighted average refers to the method used to evaluate the economic offer. The value resulting from the weighted average will then be compared with the weighted averages of other bidders to determine the final score of the economic offer. At this stage, we cannot predict the frequency or quantities of each service. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to the project and its intended scope. 17. Will certain deliverables such as media relations, video production, webinars, or digital campaigns occur more frequently than others during the two-year term? We can expect from 2 to 4 seminars per year. For further information you can check our landing page https://www.ice.it/en/markets/canada/sistema-italia-events-and-initiatives Subcontracting Restriction 18. Section 16 prohibits subcontracting. Could you clarify whether this restriction applies to specialized technical suppliers such as videographers, photographers, translators, or media buying platforms? The subcontracting clause applies in cases where the full service is assigned to another PR/Marketing company. Using external professionals in this case is not considered subcontracting. 19. Or does the restriction apply specifically to core account management and strategic responsibilities? See answer above Payment Terms and Invoicing 20. Since advance payments are not permitted and payment is issued upon delivery of services, may partial invoicing be submitted for multi-phase projects? In specific cases, ITA may decide, when drafting the purchase order letter, to identify mid-term deliverables and, consequently, structure an intermediate payment. 21. What is the typical payment timeline in practice, and is it generally closer to 15 or 30 days from receipt of invoice? Payment terms are 30 days from receipt of invoice Submission Requirements on Traspare Regarding submission through the Traspare platform, could you clarify the following: 22. Should each envelope be uploaded as a single consolidated PDF file, or may multiple documents be uploaded within each envelope section? Bidders can upload multiple files or a single file in each envelope, either way 23. Is there a maximum file size per upload? There is no limit but we recommend to do not upload heavy files 24. For the Technical Offer, are hyperlinks to digital portfolios or video samples permitted? Yes. 25. For financial statements, are summarized statements acceptable, or are audited financial statements required? Audited financial statements 26. Are electronic signatures acceptable for Annex forms and identification documents? Yes 27. Can you please also clarify a few examples of the type of speaker talent you intend on sourcing for these events? Is there a budget range you hope to invest per speaker? This will give our team a better understanding of how much allocation should be set aside per event if speaking fees are included in our budget. Please refer to answer 3. The speaker profile will be tailored upon specific event and requirements with direct guidance of ITA 28.What does success look like for the ITA? What does ITA seek to achieve out of this $300k CAD investment over two years? Can you please detail out an approximate KPI target on both a per execution / event basis, vs KPI targets on the totality of the entire program? The KPI target is a key element of the technical offer each bidder should present.

How many agencies are participating in this process? Several companies have been invited. We don’t know if they are participating until the date of the envelope’s opening Statements of turnover for last years: how many years of financial statements are required? The last 2 years will be sufficient Provision of the services listed above for a minimum of 2 years prior to applying - is this only a list of the major clients or a list of the major clients with the respective services for each client? A list of major clients is sufficient Will communication and social guidelines be shared with the winning agency, to support in the development of social media materials? Yes, all details will be shared with the awarded company. At the beginning of each project there will be introductory meeting with ITA Agency to structure the PR and Communication strategy Are press releases for every program required to go onto Newswire/Cision? We have not indicated any specific platform or tool for widespread news and communications. Therefore you can indicate in your proposal your best recommendation. Is there a separate hard cost budget for this, or will this come from the $300,000 CAD? Any part of your proposal is part of the contract budget (CAD 300,000.00)

The timestamp has been waived; therefore, you may upload your proposal from now. While Traspare currently shows a deadline of February 27th, we have requested the Help Desk to update it to March 5th, as written in the invitation letter.

Salve, come stazione appaltante non vediamo l'interfaccia dedicata agli Operatori economici che partecipano ad una gara. Tuttavia, anche per gli OE dovrebbe esserci un pulsante di help desk/area ticketing che per le stazioni appaltanti e' in alto nella schermata. Trattandosi di un documento da un OE, non riteniamo che la stazione appaltante possa richiederne l'eliminazione. Qualora non le sia possibile sostituire autonomamente il file, dovrebbe cortesemente chiedere al supporto tecnico di traspare, di procedere all'eliminazione del documento a lfine di consentirle il caricamento del file corretto. Cordiali saluti

We confirm that the 20 minutes video, when requested for an event, need to be produced exclusively from footage and interviews recorded during that specific event. Usually all our videos include Institutional logos at the beginning, previously provided by ITA. All other materials will be related to the event in question. Therefore the price requested must cover not just the video editing but the full production of all materials.

Salve, stiamo inviando all'area ticketing presente sulla nostra interfaccia la richiesta di supporto chiedendo di eliminare il file caricato nella vostra offerta economica perche' privo del contenuto. Provi a verificare domanni e ci tenga al corrente.

The price per unit refers to the completed job in each item to be delivered to ITA Agency. For instance, price per one content creation or price per 100 photos (item 9)

Before the tender deadline, the bidder can withdraw the previous uploaded document by clicking on the botton "Withdraw" on the top right of the screen. Bidder can then upload again the documentation.

Question 1 — Capacity to Reach in Italy Please clarify what "capacity to reach audiences in Italy" means in the context of the technical evaluation criteria. Does ITA expect the awarded bidder to have a physical presence or established media contacts in Italy, or is remote media outreach and press release wire distribution to Italian outlets considered sufficient? With reference to the technical evaluation criterion “Capacity to Reach Audiences in Italy,” this requirement refers to the bidder’s demonstrated ability to effectively disseminate content and secure media coverage within the Italian market. In this context, ITA does not require the awarded bidder to have a physical presence in Italy. However, bidders should demonstrate that they possess the appropriate network, media relationships, distribution channels, and market knowledge necessary to effectively reach relevant audiences in Italy. Remote media outreach and press release wire distribution to Italian outlets may be considered sufficient, provided that the bidder can substantiate their effectiveness in achieving tangible visibility, engagement, and media placement within the Italian media landscape. The evaluation will therefore focus on the bidder’s proven capacity to generate measurable media exposure in Italy, rather than solely on physical presence. Question 2 — Public Bid Opening Session Could you please provide additional details regarding the public bid opening session scheduled for March 5, 2026 at 10:00 am in Toronto? Specifically, what does the session entail, and what role does the attending legal representative or delegate play during the proceedings? Could you please clarify whether attendance at the public bid opening session is mandatory for bidders, or if it is optional? If mandatory, is virtual/remote attendance permitted, or must the representative be physically present at the ITA Toronto office? Can you also confirm who a delegate can be? Do we have to bring a physical printed copy of the submission? During the public bid opening session, the Commission will open the administrative envelope and verify the presence of all required documentation, in accordance with the tender requirements. Attendance at the public bid opening session is virtual and not mandatory. Bidders may choose to attend, but their participation is optional. One representative or duly authorized delegate of the company may attend the session as a spectator. No active role is required during the proceedings. A link to join the virtual session will be sent via email a few minutes before the start. There is no need to bring a physical printed copy of the submission, as all documents must be submitted through the prescribed electronic platform. Question 3 — Bidder Travel and Accommodation Costs The Q&A confirmed that speaker fees and travel expenses are paid separately by ITA. Could you please clarify whether the bidder's own travel and accommodation costs for on-site event support staff (e.g., videographers, photographers, media coordinators) across Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are expected to be included within the CAD 300,000 framework contract maximum, or whether these are handled separately? The bidder is responsible for their own travel expenses. Question 4 – Does the agency have to be licensed to operate in ALL provinces in Canada if they are already authorized to operate in Canada? No, the agency does not need to be licensed to operate in all provinces of Canada. Being authorized to operate at the federal or national level in Canada is sufficient for the purposes of this tender. Provincial licensing is not required unless specific local regulations apply to the services being provided. Question 5 – Annex C - What does weights mean (does it refer to the number of projects?) No, the “weights” do not refer to the number of projects. They refer to the weighted average formula that will be used to calculate your offer.