Wildlife Monitoring, Inuit Knowledge and Elder Engagement Services

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 Department of Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) has a requirement to provide wildlife monitoring, Inuit knowledge and Elder engagement services. The work will involve the following:

Wildlife Monitor/Guide

Wildlife monitor duties, responsibilities, and tasks include providing: knowledge of local environments within and around Kitikmeot communities (Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, Taloyoak, Kugaaruk) and advice on appropriate travel routes across land (and water where applicable); advice on areas to avoid due to wildlife risk or cultural sensitivity; advice on locations for setting up camps; assistance with field work, camp set up, general maintenance; providing wildlife monitor safety and guidance on an as-and-when-required basis; ability to operate a range of different communications systems (i.e., radios and satellite phones, emergency locator beacons) including those used by the contractor and POLAR; reporting incidents/accidents associated with wildlife encounters to the Departmental Representative within 24 hours.

Inuit Knowledge Services

Inuit Knowledge Advisor duties, responsibilities, and tasks include, but are not limited to: providing advice on local (i.e. the Kitikmeot region) environmental issues and concerns as agreed between the Contractor and Project Authority on an ad-hoc basis including participation in programs and meetings; serving on advisory panels as experts on local issues and attending community meetings; educating POLAR staff and CHARS visitors on Inuit traditional activities which may include qulliq lighting, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) days, igloo building, staff training, and/or construction of kamotiks; assisting with outreach and capacity building, particularly providing advice and engagement with youth in the community to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers; advising POLAR staff about implementing STEM activities linked to Inuit knowledge.

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:

• The supplier must have at least five years experience working in the Kitikmeot community as a hunter/guide/monitor or can demonstrate having local knowledge of the land including:
  • appropriate travel routes across land (and water where applicable)
  • areas to avoid due to wildlife risk or cultural sensitivity
  • appropriate locations for setting up camps
• The supplier must have at least 3 years of experience in providing community perspectives on local environmental issues/concerns
• The supplier must be recognized by their community as an Elder/Knowledge Keeper within that community.
• The supplier must have the ability to communicate orally and/or in written Inuinnaqtun.
• The supplier must have at least 3 years providing mentorship/teaching Inuit traditional activities and values
• The supplier must provide wildlife monitors who must possess the following current certifications/training:
  • Wildlife Monitoring Certificate/Training or equivalent (Level 2 Guide License recognized by the EHTO)
  • A current Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)/ Police Clearance Certificate
  • Valid Wilderness First Aid Certificate

POLAR reserves the right, at its own discretion, to request that suppliers provide a reference letter and/or resume, in addition to their statement of capabilities, to support the knowledge and experience claimed.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement
This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s)

• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
• Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
• World Trade Organization (WTO-AP)

5. Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement(s)
This procurement is subject to the Agreement Between Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (the Nunavut Agreement).

6. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

This supplier has significant experience delivering wildlife monitoring and Inuit Knowledge. This experience contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the Kitikmeot communities (Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, Taloyoak, and Kugaaruk) related to travel routes, wildlife risk, cultural sensitivity, appropriate camp locations, environmental issues. This experience also provides assurance of the suppliers knowledge necessary to contribute advice on local (Kitikmeot region) community and environmental issues and concerns. Additionally, this supplier has knowledge of Inuit traditional activities, and can share Inuit Knowledge to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics activities initiated by POLAR.

The Ekaluktutiak Hunter and Trapper Organization is the only organization with the experience and qualifications capable of performing this work within the Kitikmeot region.

7. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)
The following exception(s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d)

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date

The proposed contract is for a period of 1 year with up to four (4) one (1) year option periods, from date of award

9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract
The estimated value of the contract, including option(s), is $500,000 - $560,000 + (GST/HST extra).

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Ekaluktutiak Hunters & Trappers Organization

Box 78, Cambridge Bay

X0B 0C0

11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the 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.

12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is February 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Katlin Fagan

Procurement Assistant
Telephone: (343) 540-8473
E-mail: katlin.fagan@polar-polaire.gc.ca