COVID-19 and vaccine confidence in Black communities

Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

Title: COVID-19 and vaccine confidence in Black communities

Solicitation Number: 1000240919

1. The Purpose and Explanation of an ACAN

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows the Public Health Agency of Canada to post a notice for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that a goods, services or construction contract will be awarded to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the minimum requirements identified in the ACAN, the Contracting Authority may then proceed to award a contract to the pre-identified contractor.

2. Rights of Suppliers

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services or goods described in this ACAN may submit a Statement of Capabilities demonstrating how they meet the advertised requirement. This Statement of Capabilities must be provided via e-mail only to the contact person identified in Section 12 of the Notice on or before the closing date and time of the Notice. If the Bidder can clearly demonstrate they possess the required capabilities, the requirement will be opened to electronic or traditional bidding processes.

3. Proposed Contractor

University of Ottawa

Interdisciplinary Center for Black Health

120 University private, Ottawa, Ont K1N 6N5

4. Definition of Requirements or Expected Results

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) requires the services of a Contractor to provide expert advice on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Black Canadians regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

The Contractor must:

• Conduct a mixed longitudinal survey of individuals from Black communities living in Ontario and Quebec;
• Recruit a representative sample of Black communities in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick;

• Produce of a research report for PHAC;
• Develop and implement a knowledge transfer activity program;
• Implement the vaccination campaign in Black communities;
• Produce a series of weekly health promotion materials;
• Organize three conferences during the project; and
• Organize a national conference on vaccination in Black communities in which PHAC will have an opportunity to participate.

5. Minimum Requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a Statement of Capabilities that it meets the following minimum requirements:

• The Contractor must possess a PhD in epidemiology, psychology, statistics, or biostatistics from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• The Contractor must have demonstrated expertise in leading research or epidemiological surveillance activities (including surveys and focus groups) in racialized communities, including Black Communities.
  • Level: lead, director
  • Scope: <= 800 participants and <= 2 years of experience within the last 3 years
• The Contractor must have demonstrated expertise in determinants of health linked to Black people in Canada – including biological, social, cultural and environmental determinants.
  • Level: lead, director
  • Scope: >= 100 peer-reviewed publications on the topic and Scope: <= 800 participants and <= 2 years of experience within the last 3 years
• The Contractor must have demonstrated expertise in racial disparities in the provision of health and social services.
  • Scope: >= 100 peer-reviewed publications on the topic and Scope: <= 800 participants and <= 2 years of experience within the last 3 years
• The Contractor must have demonstrated experience in developing and leading evidence-based knowledge transfer program and tools in the public health sector.
  • Scope: <= 1 year of experience within the last 2 years
• The Contractor must have past experience in Research Ethics Board applications.
  • Level: lead, director
  • Scope: >= 10 projects requiring Research Ethics Board approval and <= 2 years of experience within the last 3 years

6. Reason for Non-Competitive Award

6.d. Only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract

The University of Ottawa launched Canada’s first research Center focused on Black health: Interdisciplinary Center for Black Health (ICBH) which is a center of excellence dedicated to solving these very specific research gaps. The mission of the ICBH is to study the biological, social, economic and cultural factors that contribute to health problems in the Black community, and to work towards addressing those issues

7. Applicable trade Agreements and Justification for Limited Tendering or the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business

This procurement is subject to the following:

Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA)

Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

Canada-European Union comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement

Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement

Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement

Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement

Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

Articles III (8a) and XIII :World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-GPA)

8. Ownership of Intellectual Property

There is no Intellectual Property

9. Period of the Proposed Contract

The contract period shall be from date of contract award until March 31 2024.

10. Estimated Value of the Proposed Contract

"The total estimated value of the proposed contract should not exceed $604,631.00, including travel and living expenses (if applicable), and all applicable taxes."

11. Closing Date and Time

The Closing Date and Time for accepting Statements of Capabilities is May 12 2022 at 2pm EDT

12. Contact Person

 All enquiries must be addressed by e-mail to:

Name: Mira Abdillahi
E-Mail: mira.abdillahi2@hc-sc.gc.ca