Use of the First Nations' Regional Health Survey (RHS)

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE 

Use of the First Nations’ Regional Health Survey (RHS)

1.	Purpose of an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows a department to post a notice for no less than fifteen (15) days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a contract to a pre-identified supplier. If no other supplier submits, during the fifteen calendar day posting period, a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the competitive requirements of the governments contracting policy have been met.  Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their statement of capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may be awarded using the Treasury Board’s electronic bidding authorities.

If other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during the fifteen (15) calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department will proceed with a full tendering process on either the government’s electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

2.	Definition of Requirements

Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada (DIAND) is interested in the use and access of tabulated data based on the First Nations’ Regional Health Survey (RHS) for use by its internal/departmental clients.  To this end, the department requires the unique and highly skilled data services of the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) to make available statistical tabulations based on the Regional Health Survey.  

The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) is a national research data repository specializing in First Nations’ research, surveys, and statistical activities.  The Centre has trademarked the First Nations Principles of OCAP™ (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession), and is an authoritative source of information relating to the First Nations’ Regional Health Survey.  

Under the custody of the FNIGC, the RHS represents one of the very few data sources which include the First Nation population living on-reserve (First Nation communities).  DIAND’s data needs are quite diverse, ranging from complex and dynamic policy and program environment to research and evaluation; the availability of this survey data would support activities relating to research, policy and program development.

Based on the First Nations Information Governance Centre’s data access protocols, the contractor will provide the department with tabulated data based on the Regional Health Survey.

3.	Governing Contracting Rules

This procurement is subject to the Government Contracts Regulations (GCR’s) and is set aside for an Aboriginal supplier in accordance with the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB).  

4.	Ownership of Intellectual Property

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development has determined that any intellectual property arising from the performance of the work under the contract will vest with the contractor.

5.	Period of Proposed Contract

The proposed service contract is for a period of four years:

Commencement Date:		Upon Contract Award
Completion Date:		March 31, 2016 

Option to Extend Contract

The Contractor grants to Canada the irrevocable option to extend the term of the Contract by one additional one (1) year period under the same terms and conditions.

6.	Estimated Value of Proposed Contract

$370,620.00 (plus GST)

7.	Reason for non competitive award

a)	Section 6 (d) of the Government Contracts Regulations.

b)	The First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) and its national databases are housed by and under the jurisdiction of the FNIGC on behalf of all First Nations.  As the official custodian of the HS, the First Nations Information Governance Centre is the only research organization that can provide the RHS data and related statistical outputs to the department.

The proposed contractor has specific knowledge and access to: 

	The First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey and its national databases;
	FNIGC’s data access policies and protocols; 
	Experience in the use of RHS’ databases, micro-level data and survey information; and 
	Knowledge to interpret the cultural context for the relationship to the socio-economic, cultural and community determinants of well-being in First Nations communities.  

8.	Proposed Contractor

The First Nations Information Governance Centre

Head Office: 
49 Ford Lane, Unit 1 
Akwesasne, Ontario 
K6H 5T3

Satellite Office:
170 Laurier, Suite 904,  
Ottawa ON K1P 5V5

9.	Submission of Statement of Capabilities by Suppliers:

Other suppliers, who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services described herein, 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. 

10.	Closing Date for Submission of Statement of Capabilities

14:00 hours, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), June 28, 2013.

11.	Departmental Contact Person

Suppliers may inquire or submit a statement of capabilities to:

Name: 	Cindy Miller
Position:   	Senior Procurement Officer
Postal Address: 	Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
c/o Heritage Canada
15 Eddy Street
2nd Floor Mailroom 2F1
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0M5
Telephone No.:  	819-953-8129
Facsimile No.   	819-953-7830
Electronic Mail Address:  cindyi.miller@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca