Modgen Replacement Software Solution

A Modgen Replacement Software Solution to support the construction of microsimulation models

This is not a bid solicitation

A.1	Background and Purpose of this Request for Information (RFI)
Statistics Canada (StatCan) seeks to understand the level of capability and interest in the industry in providing commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) Software Solution to replace its current microsimulation software Modgen to support the construction of microsimulation models.

Modgen (Model generator) is a generic microsimulation programming framework supporting the creation, maintenance and documentation of dynamic microsimulation models.  Modgen microsimulation development framework was created and maintained at Statistics Canada.  This framework is complex and includes a microsimulation programming language, a compiler and a library; these contain all the “software” parts of microsimulation models for example graphical interfaces, event queuing, tabulation and syntax.  

Statistics Canada is considering options for the replacement of this legacy system.    

A.2	Objective of the RFI
The purpose of this RFI is to provide clear communication of the current service delivery model including the business and technical environment in which microsimulations are produced.  This document will provide an overview of the present and future StatCan microsimulation process requirements and links to more detailed information. This Request for Information is not a solicitation and there are no commitments with respect to future purchases or contracts. The feedback and information received will be reviewed as part of the process of considering a Request for Proposal (RFP).

A.3	Scope of the Requirement

Alternative commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) would need to be able to support or improve upon this subject matter driven microsimulation success.  Modgen was created for efficiency reasons: to be a common standardized tool, avoid rework and reduce dependency on programming resources.  Furthermore, with the present framework, a model developer does not need to have advanced programming skills as a prerequisite to use Modgen.  This is possible because Modgen has a simple syntax, hides underlying mechanisms like event queueing, and creates a stand-alone standardized model executable program with a complete visual interface and detailed model documentation automatically.   Model developers do not need to be computer programmers and they can therefore concentrate on model specific code: the declaration of parameters, simulated actors, and events. This framework allows subject matter experts to create complex microsimulation tools in their field of expertise. 

Modgen is a publically available proprietary product of Statistics Canada. It is a 32-bit application which runs on Microsoft Windows.  Its replacement needs to be able to produce a microsimulation that is a continuous time competing risk model with a dynamic coupled queue structure with the potential for an interacting population with a dynamically updateable network.  Additionally, the solution needs to meet the high level requirements found in Appendix A.  
More information on Modgen, including a link to a download page, can be found on the Statistics Canada web site at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/MICROSIMULATION/modgen/modgen-eng.htm. 

Samples of simulation models written in ModGen can be downloaded from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/MICROSIMULATION/modgen/download-telecharger-eng.htm.
Information on the Standard on Web Accessibility can be found at:
 http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=23601

Information on the Treasury Board information or technology standard (TBITS) can be found at: 
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/it-ti/itp-pti/its-nit-eng.asp

Information of the Operational Security Standard: Management of Information Technology Security (MITS) can be found at: 
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=12328§ion=text

A.4	Contents of this RFI

i) Appendix A of this RFI contains the high-level requirements for the Software Solution. This document remains a work in progress and respondents should not assume that new clauses or requirements will not be added to any bid solicitation that is ultimately published by Canada. Nor should respondents assume that none of the clauses or requirements will be deleted or revised. Comments regarding any aspect of the draft document are welcome.

ii) This RFI also contains specific questions addressed to the industry

Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries to: 

Contracting Authority: Nausheena Wright
E-mail Address: macs-bids@statcan.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-951-2749

Respondents can submit their responses by email or regular mail to:
Email: 		macs-bids@statcan.gc.ca
Address:	
Attn: Nausheena Wright
150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Main Building, Room 1405 I
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

Responses are requested by November 14, 2014. Preferred method of receipt is email.