ACAN - Cultural Advisor

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services, or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the Contracting Officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of the requirement

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is an independent administrative tribunal that, as part of the Canadian criminal justice system, makes quality conditional release and record suspension decisions, and clemency recommendations. The PBC contributes to the protection of society by facilitating, as appropriate, the timely reintegration of offenders as law-abiding citizens. Public safety is the primary consideration in all PBC decisions.

A corporate priority of the Parole Board of Canada is to strengthen responsiveness to the needs of specific offender populations, such as racialized groups. Recognizing the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, the Parole Board of Canada seeks to provide a more culturally adapted and responsive hearing process to this offender group, by using the services of an Elder at our hearings.

The Elder will provide Board members, as requested, information about the culture, history, experiences, and traditions of Indigenous people through their participation at hearings. The Elder may also be required to provide relevant information regarding the specific Indigenous community/territory in which the offender is seeking a release. If requested by the offender, the Elder will preside over a prayer, smudge, song and/or other traditions or ceremony.

The primary role of the PBC Elder is to provide Parole Board members with information about the specific culture, values, practices, teachings, and traditions of Indigenous people, as well as the history, challenges, and opportunities relevant to this group. The Elder may offer wisdom and guidance to the offender during the hearing process. This may include leading a prayer and/or cultural ceremony at the request of the offender. The Elder is not involved in decision-making with respect to conditional release.

More specifically, the Elder may be requested to provide services in the following areas:

1) Provide support to Board Members at hearings (in person and remotely);
2) Actively participate in the hearing including conversing with the offender to gain a better understanding of their lived experience, which may assist the Board member in gaining further information helpful to achieving a quality decision;
3) When requested by the offender, lead cultural ceremonies at hearings;

When and if required, the Elder may be requested to provide the following services as identified by the Regional Manager, Community Relations and Training or Regional Manager, Conditional Release Programs:

1) Participate in orientation, in-reach, outreach sessions to enhance engagement with indigenous offenders, indigenous communities or organizations, community partners, and stakeholders.
2) Participate in staff and Board member training and information sessions to provide increased awareness and understanding of issues relevant to Indigenous people including, but not limited to Indigenous heritage and culture as well as the impacts of colonialism, residential schools, day schools, systemic racism, and oppression.

All deliverables must be in accordance with the applicable Parole Board of Canada policies and procedures. All work will be performed subject to the inspection and acceptance of the Regional Manager, Community Relations and Training or Regional Manager, Conditional Release Program.

The location of work is the Atlantic Region. The Elder is required to travel to the correctional facilities in the region as well as the regional office in Moncton, NB. The Elder may be requested to assist other regions of the PBC.

The language of work is English, with French being an asset.

This contract requires a clearance level of Reliability, completed by or verified by the Parole Board of Canada. The contractor(s) must hold and maintain this clearance level during the performance of the contract.

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements)

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:

Must be an individual with expertise and demonstrated ability to acknowledge and speak to social, political, cultural, spiritual, health and economic history, challenges, and opportunities relevant to Indigenous people and communities.

The Elder must be an Indigenous person who has worked with diverse stakeholders in the indigenous community (i.e. social organizations, community groups, businesses, education, health care or other community stakeholders) and/or in a rehabilitative capacity (either cultural or non-cultural setting).

The Elder must be recognized by the Indigenous community as having in-depth knowledge and understanding of the traditional Indigenous culture, including ceremonies, protocols, teachings, and traditional medicines and healing techniques, according to the beliefs and social traditions of Indigenous people.

The Elder must be able to engage with and facilitate meaningful conversations with diverse populations including those involved in the criminal justice system. Discussions may be of a sensitive nature and may occur during emotionally charged situations.

The Elder must have the ability to clearly communicate complex issues to Board members and when required various other audiences.

The Elder must be able to travel independently within the Atlantic region and may be requested to work remotely via video and teleconferencing. Completion of administrative tasks such as the completion of travel forms and the submission of invoices is required.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement

This procurement is not subject to any trade agreement.

5. Set-aside under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business

This procurement is set-aside for an Indigenous Supplier in accordance with the government Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB). Therefore, only suppliers who meet the definition of an Indigenous business, as defined in the PSIB, may submit a statement of capabilities.

This restriction does not apply to contracts with individuals who are Elders.

6. Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement(s)

This procurement is not subject to a Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement.

7. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

The Parole Board of Canada intends to award a contract to Deborah Eisan as Indigenous Elder.

Elder Deborah Eisan is an Ojibway Anishinabe kwe woman from Batchewana First Nation. She was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and currently resides in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia).

Elder Deborah is a distinguished veteran with a remarkable 36-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a Chief Petty Officer and Supply Technician. She occupied notable roles in the Navy, including the closeout operation of the UN Base in Rwanda, Africa, and a seven-month deployment on HMCS Iroquois in the Arabian Sea. She is a recipient of the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Foundation Award of Distinction in 2004 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for her advocacy and cultural awareness efforts for Indigenous people in the CAF.

Elder Deborah has lived experience, having faced racism and discrimination during her career. With strength, resilience, and determination, she forged her path forward and has been influential in shaping a more positive military experience for Indigenous people in Canada. She has long been an advocate for Indigenous members in the CAF, addressing issues of racism and discrimination. As co-chair of the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group, she was part of a group instrumental in changing dress regulations to allow Indigenous members to wear their hair in a braid, along with other culturally important changes. In 2021, the Royal Canadian Navy recognized her exemplary work by appointing her as Honorary Captain (Navy) affiliated with Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke. In 2023, she was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

For many who know her, “Deb” takes on the vital role of “grandmother,” a title that carries profound meaning in Indigenous cultures. This honorific also reflects the influence Elder Deborah has had over the CAF as a whole. For more than two decades, she has helped influence the Canadian military on Indigenous and human rights concerns. She sits on advisory boards to offer guidance to government ministers and military leadership alike. Additionally, Elder Deborah has sat on, and continues to sit on, numerous advisory boards and councils for universities, police, fire departments, and other community organizations. She emphasizes the importance of sharing Indigenous culture, spirituality, customs, and traditions to foster mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Elder Deborah is the Elder-in-Residence and Community Events Planner at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax. She is often called upon to lead important ceremonies at the regional, national, and international levels. She organizes and plans numerous events within the larger Halifax community, including for veterans, the homeless, seniors, youth, mothers, fathers, and students. Her reach also extends to those who are incarcerated, bringing them culture, spirituality, and traditional foods.

In conclusion, Elder Deborah Eisan has been an Elder on contract with the Parole Board of Canada for the past three years, making her well-acquainted with the role, responsibilities, and challenging environment. Her remarkable professional experience, significant contributions to Indigenous people, and important community involvement make her an ideal candidate for this contract. Most importantly, her dedication to traditional practices and significant knowledge of Indigenous teachings and cultural practices further qualify her for this position.

8. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection:

(d) only one person is capable of performing the contract.

9. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

This procurement is not subject to any trade agreement.

10. Ownership of Intellectual Property

There are no intellectual property terms in the contract.

11. Period of the proposed contract

The proposed contract is for a period of 3 years, from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028.

12. Cost estimate of the proposed contract

The estimated value of the contract, including option(s), is $75,000 x (GST/HST extra).

13. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Deborah Eisan
Waverley, Nova Scotia

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

15. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is February 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST.

16. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Marc Belanger
A/ Procurement Officer
1045 Main St
Moncton, NB, E1C 1H1

Email: Procurement-Marche.GEN-PBC-CLCC@CSC-SCC.GC.CA