Psychologist Services for the RCMP ‘K’ Division and ‘G’ Division

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), "K" & "G" Division requires the services of a qualified PhD Psychologist to provide Psychological Fitness Assessments, Consultation and related Clinical Psychology Support Services in the context of policing operations. This Psychologist will also be utilized to assist the National Policy Centre with guidance and to train/mentor Psychologists across the country. The requirement is based out of Calgary, Alberta.

The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government’s intention to award a contract to Schmalz Consulting Ltd. (Dr. Barbara Schmalz) for this service. Before awarding a contract, however, the government would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this Notice, by submitting a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period.

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

If no other supplier submits a statement of capabilities set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date, a contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier.

2. Definition of the requirement

Background Information

The RCMP "K" & "G" Division's Health Services, uses the services of a Psychologist to provide specialized clinical psychological assessments to address: fitness for duty, disability management and performance related issues for regular and civilian members; conduct psychological debriefing within specialized sections/deployments; conduct psychological screening assessments for applicants to the RCMP; coordinate the Critical Incident Stress Management program and provide/oversee crisis intervention for members and their families; coordinate and deliver preventative health programs in collaboration with the Division's Peer to Peer and Chaplaincy Programs.

In addition to providing the services above, which as traditionally been the role of all psychologists within the RCMP, this position requires the successful candidate to provide regional and national mentorship on serious and critical incidents to support the existing and future psychologist who will work for the RCMP.

Objectives

To provide on-site occupational health services to the RCMP in “K” Division, Alberta and “G” Division, Northwest Territories.

To provide National guidance and direction during urgent, critical incidents across the country.

The RCMP is seeking the services of one qualified PhD Psychologist who possesses a degree with specialization in clinical counselling psychology from a recognized university; is registered as a psychologist in the Province of Alberta and eligible for licensing with the Department of Health and Social Services, Government of Northwest Territories; or registered within another province or territory with eligibility for license in the Province of Alberta and the Northwest Territories; is in good standing with the Provincial College of Psychologists; is an experienced practitioner with more than five (5) years of experience within a policing or occupational health environment; and qualifies for an RCMP Top Secret security clearance.

Scope of Work.

The Contractor must provide the following to the satisfaction of the departmental representative:

General

• Provide psychological services to the Occupational Health Office in Calgary, AB, and other RCMP offices in Alberta and NWT, between thirty (30) to forty (40) hours per week, during the hours of 8:00 am to 18:00 pm at Duncan Building, Calgary, Alberta.

• Provide psychological services remotely to “G” Division, NWT, as required.
• Occasional travel within the province of Alberta and to the North West Territories to provide crisis intervention through the Critical Incident Stress Management Program (CISM). Where travel is required outside the Calgary area, travel rates will be reimbursed (net 30 days) upon receipt of original itemized receipts in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive "Maximum Allowance for Travel, Accommodations, Meals and Incidental Expenses".
• Provide professional consultation and advice to RCMP Management, Divisional Health Services Office (HSO), members, Peer to Peer program, and the organization about mental health strategies and the delivery of psychological services within the Division.
• Provide ongoing consultation on psychological matters to the organization, within the division and nationally.
• Provide expert consultation to the National Policy Centre on the handling of serious and critical incident ongoing.
• The Psychologist resource must be able to leverage their experience of working with Policing and occupational health and safety to provide expert consultation, direction and mentoring to the Psychologists in all divisions as they are hired, trained and exposed to the policing traumas and experiences. This also requires an awareness of the organizational structure, policies and procedures, and duties of the RCMP. 
• Provide expert testimony as required at Federal Court, Human Rights Commission, etc., as well as consultation with the Appropriate Officer and Commanding Officer, as requested.
• Complete all tasks and reports in accordance with the established RCMP occupational health policies guidelines and procedures.
• Provide professional consultation, advice, and review to RCMP Health Benefits of psychological services within the Division.
• Provide education, as requested, in relation to operational stress injuries and related occupational matters.

Critical Incident Management

• Provide consultation within the CISM program services including individual and group debriefings when required, both within the division and nationally.
• Be available when requested to conduct fitness for duty assessments following a critical incident.
• Be available to guide junior psychologists with the steps following a critical incident in their respective divisions.
• Coordinate the delivery of psychological services with Health Services, Peer to Peer program, Employee and Management Relations Officer, Human Resources and Senior Management.
• Ensure quality assurance of services offered including long term follow-up with members.
• Make referrals to various health care professionals where required.

Cadet Screening

• Conduct applicant psychological assessments, including psychological testing and clinical interviews.
• Provide the HSO with a definitive written recommendation of psychological suitability for all cadet applicants who complete the required RCMP Nationally approved psychological screening protocol.
• Respond to applicant, Access to Information Program (ATIP) and Human Rights Commission requests for information about deferral/rejections decisions.
• Consult with divisional HSO and Recruiting Units as required in order to resolve specific cases or to address required changes to the cadet screening process.
• Assist in developing psychological procedures for the Division in relation to National Recruiting strategies.

Specialized Psychological Assessments

• Conduct mandatory psychological assessments and debriefings with members being posted to specialized Units (e.g. Communication Services. (CS), Emergency Response Team (ERT), l.C.E., Collision Analysts, Forensic Science and identification Services (FS & IS) and Isolated Posts. These assessments are for the purpose of screening in/out of section and monitoring the mental health and fitness for specialized duty of members.
• Conduct / coordinate group debriefings as needed and requested (e.g. Major Crimes Unit (MCU), Special "I'', etc.)
• Provide the HSO with a written recommendation of the psychological suitability of each applicant employee.
• Conduct Member involved firearm shooting interviews for fitness for duty assessments.
• Mentor and advise the Organization with processes and policy that require updates.

Occupational Health

• Provide specialized clinical psychological assessments and diagnostic consultations for Members and Civilian Members upon referral, for the purpose of duty fitness.
• Respond to requests for services and screen referrals to determine need for assessment and/or intervention, considering referral to and liaison with other physicians/psychologists where appropriate.
• Assess and determine steps to be taken when a member is a danger to him/herself or others, coordinating with Divisional HSO and other professionals on such matters in order to develop a clinical psychological treatment plan.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team consultations with the Divisional HSO, Occupational Health Nurse, Divisional Integrated Services Committee and external specialists to determine fitness for duty, return to work and long term disability planning for members with psychological conditions.
• Conduct fitness for duty assessments at the request of the Divisional HSO.
• Conduct assessments and consultation for performance enhancement situations.
• Review and comment on analysis and decisions made by other health professionals (i.e. Neuropsychologist).
• Mentor new psychologist hires on all of the occupational health requirements and processes.

Departmental (RCMP) Support

The Department will provide the following to the Psychologist:

1. Shared work space within Occupational Health Services Unit, "K" Division, Calgary, AB
2. RCMP personnel's medical files
3. RCMP Health Directives
4. Various RCMP databases

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 their services meet the following requirements:

• Information provided must be sufficient to clearly demonstrate the proposed individual is fully qualified and capable of fulfilling the requirements of the Statement of Work. Information should be provided in the form of a detailed curriculum vitae (CV)
• A photocopy of the registration certificate with the College of Psychologists of Alberta must be provided with the Statement of Capabilities.
• Proposed resource, as a licensed psychologist, MUST have at least five (5) years within the last ten (10) years of applied experience practicing clinical psychology in an organizational setting for adult populations and/or within a policing environment.
• Proposed resource, as a registered PhD Psychologist, must have at least five (5) years in an occupational health setting as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proposed resource, as a licensed psychologist, MUST have at least one (1) year experience in last five (5) years in the mentorship, training or development of new and experienced psychologists.

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

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

6. Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement(s)

Not Applicable

7. Justification for the Pre-Selected Supplier

The Schmaltz Consulting Ltd is the only known company able to provide the required mentorship and training necessary to continue the operations within the local and national RCMP. The pre-identified supplier meets all of the minimum essential requirements described in this ACAN.

8. Government Contracts Regulation Exception(s)

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6 (d) – “only person is capable of performing the work”.

9. Period of the proposed contract

The proposed contract is for a period of one(1) year, with the option to extend for two (2) additional years.

10. Cost estimate of the proposed contract

In the event of a competitive process as a result of this ACAN, the cost estimate of the proposed contract will not be disclosed to ensure a fair and transparent solicitation process.

11. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Dr. Barbara Schmalz

Schmalz Consulting Ltd.

202 Dalgleish Bay NW

Calgary, AB T3A 1K9

12. Supplier’s right to submit a statement of capability

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the Contracting Authority 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.

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

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is May 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. 

14. Inquiries and submission of a statement of capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Bernadeen Amaratunge, Senior Contracting Officer

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

5^th Floor, 10065 Jasper Avenue,

Edmonton, AB T5J 3B1

Telephone: (587) 532-9904

Fax: (780) 454-4523

bernadeen.amaratunge@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Statement of capabilities can be submitted by fax or hardcopy.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

The RCMP file number, the contracting officer’s name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope in block letters, or on the cover page of the fax transmission.

RCMP has adopted the Integrity Regime administered by PSPC. As a result, the integrity provisions are being applied in RCMP contracting activities as outlined in this solicitation.

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

The RCMP has published its National Procurement Plan. For further information, please see link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/rcmp-national-procurement-plan