The information contained in this notice is a brief description of the requirement and is for information purposes only. Bidders must refer to the complete Request for Proposal document for a full description of the requirement and the full bid instructions.

Background

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (CEOC), an agent of Parliament, exercises general direction and supervision over the conduct of elections and referendums at the federal level. The CEOC heads the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, commonly known as Elections Canada.

In accordance with section 18(1.1) of the Canada Elections Act, the CEO may, using any media or other means that they consider appropriate, provide the public, both inside and outside Canada, with information relating to Canada’s electoral process, the democratic right to vote and how to be a candidate. The Campaign falls within such authority.

A key component of the campaign, for possibly the 45th general election or a subsequent general election, is the development of a renewed creative approach, to be developed by the Creative Agency. The strategic approach to be developed for that Campaign will be undertaken by the Contractor.

Requirement

Elections Canada requires professional media strategy and planning, media negotiation and buying services, ad trafficking and reporting to deliver national and regional advertising campaigns related to other Electoral Events or specific corporate programs and activities of Elections Canada.

Incumbent

The work is currently being performed by Cossette Media Inc. under contract (value $56,337,750.00).

Security

There is no security requirement applicable to this procurement.

Period of the Contract

The Contract period will be from the Effective Date of the Contract until March 31, 2026 (the “Initial Term”).

The Contractor will grant to Elections Canada irrevocable options to extend the period of the Contract by 2 additional periods of 12 months each under the same terms and conditions.

Submission of Proposals

This Request for Proposal allows bidders to use the epost Connect service provided by Canada Post Corporation to transmit their proposals electronically. For further information, bidders must refer to Part 2 – Bidder Instructions, and Part 3 – Proposal Preparation Instructions of the Request for Proposal document.

Proposals are to be addressed to the attention of the Contracting Authority and delivered, sealed, to the Proposal Receiving Unit on or before the bid closing date and time indicated on the front page of the Request for Proposal.

For sending packages by courier or for dropping off, please note that the Proposal Receiving Unit at the Business Centre is open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00 (Gatineau, Quebec time).

Bids sent via email or facsimile will not be accepted.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

Elections Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Selection Methodology

Competitive Procurement Strategy: Highest combined rating of technical merit and price

Enquiries

All enquiries and other communication with Elections Canada personnel are to be directed ONLY to the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will be the bidder’s primary contact. Bidders who contact anyone other than the Contracting Authority may be disqualified.

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to proposal@elections.ca no later than the deadline indicated in the Request for Proposal. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.

Interested parties wishing to obtain the solicitation documents for this Request for Proposal must do so through https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tenders. The documents downloaded through this site take precedence over any copies that may also be made available.

Further information about Elections Canada may be obtained at elections.ca.

Debriefings

Once the successful bidder has been announced, bidders may request a debriefing on the results of the Request for Proposal process. Bidders should make the request to the Contracting Authority as per the terms of the Request for Proposal. The debriefing may be in writing, by telephone or in person.