ENABLING ACCESSIBILITY FUND (EAF) – MID SIZED PROJECTS CONCEPTS EVALUATION

PURPOSE AND NATURE OF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Employment Social & Development Canada (ESDC) is requesting Industry feedback to assist in defining the requirement for an upcoming Tendering Limited Process.

The objectives of this RFI are to:

a. Inform potential suppliers of the draft requirements of this procurement;

b. Collect information on the level of interest and capability from Canadian suppliers regarding the requirements as published in this RFI;

c. Seek Industry feedback on Annex A – Statement of Work;

d. Create a list of potential bidders who will send their interest from this RFI to do a Limited Tendering Process.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Mid-sized Projects Component supports projects aimed at building (i.e. new construction), renovating or retrofitting facilities that house or will house services and programs that focus and emphasize a holistic approach in responding to the social and/or labour market integration needs of people with disabilities.

Assessment of proposals received under this component will be undertaken by internal (ESDC) and external (subject-matter expert preferably in the area of construction and accessible design) review bodies.

The internal assessment will involve the review of the eligibility criteria under the program (applicants, activities, amount requested and community support) as well as other key assessment criteria such as: the need, priority and impact of the project for the community. The hiring of an external expert is necessary to review concepts in the area of construction in relation to the overall feasibility, cost and proposed timelines as well as to identify areas of the proposals that may require adjustments or improvements, as the Department does not have this expertise in-house.

As result, the external reviewer such as Professional Quantity Surveyor^[1] is required to provide Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) with an in-depth assessment of assigned concepts that will include the rationale for the assessment in all pertinent sections of the assessment tool provided by ESDC. The external reviewer must also have good knowledge of and experience with the Canadian Standard Association’s “Accessible Design for the Built Environment” (B651-12 (R2017), its requirements and their application.

[1] A Professional Quantity Surveyor has a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of construction and construction methods, as well as the laws relating to construction projects and accounting, in order to provide cost and financial advice. (Source: Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyor).

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

There are security requirements associated with this contract.

Personnel Security level at Reliability Status required;

Facility Security Clearance (FSC);

Safeguarding Security Clearance;

and Information Technology (IT) Media Security Clearance.

At the bid closing of the Limited Tendering Process RPF and throughout the life of the contract, the Contractor must hold a valid Security Clearance at a level of information of B issued by the Contract Security Program (CPS) at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES (if applicable)

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied. Respondents are also invited to provide comments regarding the content, format and/or organization of any draft documents included in this RFI. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

Only the bidders who show interest to this RFI would be invited to the Limited Tendering Process.

CLOSING DATE FOR THE RFI

Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Authority and will be accepted until 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on July 5, 2018. The information received after that date will not be considered.

ENQUIRIES

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 any questions from respondents concerning this RFI must be made in writing to the Contracting Authority stated below, via e-mail on or before the closing date.

Name: Manon Rondeau

Title: Contract Specialist Expert

Employment and Social Development Canada

Procurement and Contracting

Address: 140 Promenade du Portage

Gatineau, QC K1A 0J9

Telephone: 819 654-2597

Facsimile: 819 953-6859

E-mail address: nc-solicitations-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca