Online eICEP

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited
to bid
Attachment: None
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Canadian Paediatric Society
2305 St. Laurent Blvd.
Ottawa Ontario
Canada
K1G4J8
Nature of Requirements: 
ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE 

The Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) has a
requirement to update the Online Immunization Competencies
Education Program (eICEP) as specified under "Background" below.
The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to
signal the government's intention to award a Contract for these
services to preselected supplier:  Canadian Paediatric Society. 
Before awarding a Contract, the government would like to provide
other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they
are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in the ACAN,
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 may 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, on or before the closing date, a
statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in
the ACAN, a Contract will be awarded to the preselected supplier.

Background

Professional education is one of the initiatives undertaken by
the Agency to support the National Immunization Strategy (NIS).
A key activity of the NIS is the development of a national
professional education component to contribute to the increased
acceptance of recommended vaccines, knowledge and competency of
health professionals in order to better protect Canadians from
vaccine preventable diseases. The Agency formed the Immunization
Education Working Group (IEWG) with members representing
front-line health professionals, immunization program planners,
professional societies, and academics from across Canada. IEWG
provided advice to the Canadian Immunization Committee, which is
a federal, provincial and territorial group of public health
officials providing leadership, advice, and recommendations to
the Agency on implementing professional development strategies,
issues affecting immunization in Canada and learning
opportunities for health professionals. 

IEWG developed the immunization competencies and the
Immunization Competencies for Health Professionals handbook was
published in November 2008. The competencies provide a framework
to tailor education programs to the needs of health
professionals based on their level of experience, practice
setting, and degree involvement with immunization. The Agency
encourages provincial and territorial jurisdictions, educational
institutions, health professional organizations, and other
stakeholders to use and incorporate the Immunization
Competencies into their respective activities. 

In 2009, in collaboration with the Agency, the Canadian
Paediatric Society (CPS) developed an online version of their
ICEP course based on the Immunization Competencies. The eICEP is
available free of charge to professionals working in the
publicly funded health care system through Advancing Practice
(CPS online education portal) which provides healthcare
professionals with access to accredited, up-to-date, online
programs and technology. CPS has developed several education
modules, each using a different education format. Through their
relationship with mdBriefCase, these programs reach over 37,000
health care providers. In addition to program development, CPS
also ensures that these programs are accredited for Maintenance
of Certification (physician specialists) and Mainpro-M1 (family
physicians) study credits.

This continuing education program was a first initiative at a
national level. The implementation of such a program supports
the objectives of the NIS and the mandate of the Agency. This
continuing education program helps health professionals to
strengthen their knowledge and skills, thereby improving public
health practice. The eICEP offers the latest immunization
information and builds public health capacity through its
certification aspect. Since the launch of the eICEP in the fall
2010, over 4,720 healthcare professionals have completed the 14
eICEP online modules. Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia
provincial regulatory bodies for pharmacists have approved eICEP
as way for pharmacists to receive their required vaccination
training and each has developed a province-specific module to
complement eICEP.  In addition to the provincial regulatory
bodies, faculties of Pharmacy are planning to incorporate
vaccine administration training into students' skills
curriculum. The University of Manitoba has integrated the eICEP
curriculum into their undergraduate curricula in 2013.

As this continuing education program is now recognized
nationally by health professionals involved in immunization and
used as a tool to certify immunizers, it is critical that this
program remains available and that it continues to provide
accurate and pertinent information based on the latest research
and development.

Applicable Documents

The following applicable documents form part of this Statement
of Work to the extent specified herein, and are supportive of
the Statement of Work: 
Immunization Competencies for Health Professionals in Canada    
      (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/ic-ci/index-eng.php);
Official Languages Act
(http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-3.01/index.html); 
Treasury Board Web Experience Toolkit                           
                              
(http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ws-nw/wa-aw/wet-boew/index-eng.asp);
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
(http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/wcag20.php).

Objectives

The objectives are to:
Review, add, modify/update and maintain the eICEP;
Continue to make it available to health professionals in both of
Canada's official languages;
Increase the number of provincial regulatory bodies that use
eICEP as a certification measure for their health professionals;
Increase the number of health professional faculties that are
planning to incorporate vaccine administration training into
students' skills curriculum; and
Continue to promote continuing education in the field of
immunization, and to promote safe and competent practices to
achieve higher vaccine coverage rates.

Requirements

The Contractor must:
Have an online version of their ICEP course;
Host the eICEP on their online education portal in both of
Canada's official languages;
Form an eICEP Planning Committee consisting of CPS Subject
Matter Experts, Subject Matter Experts in the field of
immunization, health care professionals involved in immunization;
Collaborate and liaise with the eICEP Planning Committee in
order to review, add new modules/content, modify/update and
maintain their eICEP based on their ICEP, the Agency's
Immunization Competencies and other related documents/material;
Offer the eICEP free to the Agency and professionals working in
the publicly funded health care system in both of Canada's
official languages;
Market the eICEP to health care professionals including
physicians, nurses and pharmacists; and
Promote and seek partnership with regulatory bodies and
university programs to incorporate the eICEP into the
requirements and curriculum.

Tasks/Deliverables

The Contractor must provide the following tasks and deliverables
for the Contract Period and each Option Period to review and
update the eICEP. 

The key deliverables include:
Development of content;
eICEP content update;
ePlatform modifications/updates;
Accreditation;
Quarterly progress reports;
Annual evaluation and usage statistic report; and
Annual report on marketing and promotional efforts.

Tasks to review and update the eICEP, as required:

Development of Content
Videotaping and editing live meeting/presentations.

Course Design

eICEP course must include:
eLearning modules;
A fully secure registration and enrollment protocol in both of
Canada's official languages;
In/out of session privileges;
Interactive elements;
Images, charts, visuals;
Pre and post-tests;
Hyperlinks to selected resources;
Course evaluation;
Course certification; and
Supporting document/materials.

eICEP Content Update

The Medical Writer must:
Under direction of the lead author, provide a final draft that
meets organizational standards;
Review and analyze feedback from participants;
Produce content that is organized, medically and theoretically
sound;
Ensure that course documents/materials comply with regulatory,
journal or other best practice guidelines;
Conduct research as needed, checking data and references for
accuracy;
Write and assemble new or revised course sections in
collaboration with subject matter experts and stakeholder
representatives;
Review, edit and proofread course documents/material;
Sculpt learning and performance objectives for the target
audience and to meet training requirements; and
Validate deliverables with stakeholders and subject matter
experts.

The Development Team must:
Ensure that the final version of the ICEP course is medically
relevant and compliant with current guidelines for best practice
based on cutting-edge research, evidence-based and objective;
and 
Include: 
A lead author (paediatric specialist) to work with the Medical
Writer in reviewing learning objectives, course program and
supporting materials;
A community paediatrician reviewer to review program changes or
revisions for accuracy and relevance and make recommendations
for appropriate learning tools, based on experience;
A general practitioner reviewer to review program changes or
revisions for accuracy and relevance to general practitioner
audience and assess content in terms of Mainpro-M1 accreditation
requirements; and
A pharmacist reviewer to review program changes or revisions for
accuracy and relevance to pharmacy audience and assess in terms
of Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP)
accreditation requirements.

The Programmer must:
Analyze and conduct programming to meet requirements;
Interact with subject matter experts and other developers to
ensure end-user needs;
Manage various phases of the course development cycle, including:
Communicating effectively with stakeholders regarding
deliverables, timelines and any anticipated changes or problems;
Needs analysis;
Tracking requirements;
Solution design;
Course deployment and evaluation; and
Analyzing code for eLearning product elements and system needs
(e.g., testing transactions, scripting and debugging, quality
assurance checks).
Design and develop data structure, including:
Database structure and relationships; and
Documenting database implementation, including connection
details.
Provide technical guidance, including:
Recommending best practices;
Recommending eLearning product development;
Identifying and recommending solutions to identified coding
issues;
Reviewing test documentation;
Documenting solutions or workarounds for identified issues; and
Hosting, monitoring, promotion and support.
Analyze pre and post-tests;
Statistical reporting, quarterly or as required;
Conduct online program certificate; and
Data maintenance.

The Video Producer must:
In collaboration with the Programmer and Project Coordinator: 
design, coordinate and conduct the production process, including:
Shooting;
Editing;
Duplication;
Planning and managing project timelines;
Ensuring seamless shot sequences;
Camera operation, set and lighting design, audio production,
audio and visual effects;
Utilizing computer graphics and special effects in
post-production compressing video components for output,
captures;
Post-production tasks (i.e., reviewing footage, tape logging,
rough cuts, audio adjustment, colour correction and final
editing); and
Inserting music, dialogue and/or sound effects.

The Cameraman must:
Assemble and set up equipment;
With the Video Producer:  plan, prepare and rehearse scenes;
Study and follow camera scripts;
Frame and capture action creatively;
Liaise with lighting and technical staff;
Problem-solve and adjust focus; and
Ensure that all cameras, accessories, equipment and film stock
are in compliance with requirements.

The eICEP Planning Committee must:
Work in the development, accreditation and implementation of
course content;
Verify content requirements and scope; and
Provide expert advice.

The Project Coordinator must:
Manage course-related projects, planning and evaluation;
Identify potential project risks and solutions;
Ensure quality assurance throughout;
Control course program logistics;
Review course-related design elements, scripts and final
products, for quality and accuracy;
Identify and develop promotional materials;
Track data analysis, generate reports and update data history;
Monitor the tasks, deliverables and cost to ensure they are in
accordance with the Contract;
Submit quarterly progress reports to the Agency;
Market the eICEP to health care professionals including
physicians, nurses and pharmacists; and
Promote and seek partnership with regulatory bodies and
university programs to incorporate the eICEP into the
requirements and curriculum.

Approval Process

The Contractor must submit the draft documents of the eICEP
content to the eICEP Planning Committee for review.  The eICEP
Planning Committee will review and may request specific
modifications to the draft eICEP content.  The Contractor must
modify the eICEP content as per the eICEP Planning Committee
comments and submit the revised eICEP content to the eICEP
Planning Committee for a subsequent review.  The review process
described will apply until the eICEP Planning Committee approves
the final eICEP content.

Applicability of the Trade Agreements to the Procurement 

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements:
and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 

The pre-identified supplier is the only supplier capable of
meeting the government's requirements, the pre-identified
supplier owns the intellectual property rights, hosts their
eICEP on their online education portal in both of Canada's
official languages, and provides the eICEP free to the Agency
and professionals working in the publicly funded health care
system in both of Canada's official languages.

Government Contracts Regulations Exception 

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations
is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) only one
person is capable of performing the contract 
(http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-87-402/page-2
.html#h-6).	

Limited Tendering Reasons 

The following limited tendering reasons are invoked under the:

AIT - Limited tendering reason 506.12(a) to ensure compatibility
with existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such as
exclusive licences, copyright and patent rights, or to maintain
specialized products that must be maintained by the manufacturer
or its representative; and limited tendering reason 506.12(b)
where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons
and the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular
supplier and no alternative or substitute exists
(http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ait-aci.nsf/eng/il00006.html#G).

NAFTA - Limited tendering reason 1016.2(b) where, for works of
art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents,
copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information
or where there is an absence of competition for technical
reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a
particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute
exists
(http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerci
aux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/texte/chap10.aspx?lang=en#Article1016).

Ownership of Intellectual Property 

Without affecting any existing intellectual property rights or
relating to information or data supplied by Canada for purposes
of the Contract, copyright in anything conceived, developed, or
produced as part of the Work under the Contract will belong to
the Contractor.  The Contractor grants to Canada a
non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, fully-paid and
royalty-free license to exercise all rights comprised in the
copyright in the Material, for any government purposes.

Period of the Proposed Contract 

The proposed contract is for a period of two years from date of
Contract with an irrevocable option on the part of Canada to
extend the term of the Contract period by up to three additional
one-year periods.

Name and Address of the Pre-identified Supplier 

Canadian Paediatric Society
2305 St. Laurent Blvd.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 4J8

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 by e-mail, as an attachment
in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) 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.

Closing Date for a Submission of a Statement of Capabilities 

The closing date and time for accepting statements of
capabilities is June 6, 2014 at 2:00p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Inquiries and Submission of Statements of Capabilities 

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Diane Reynolds
Supply Specialist
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Acquisitions Branch
Professional Services Procurement Directorate
Place du Portage, Phase III, 10C1
11 Laurier Street							
Gatineau, Quebec  							
K1A 0S5				
Telephone:	819-956-1141
Facsimile:	819-956-9235
E-mail:		Diane.Reynolds@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate
with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any
questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting
officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and
agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15)
calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it
intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a
pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or
before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets
the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority
may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of
Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the
ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full
tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available
to provide the services/goods described herein, 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.

The PWGSC 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, in the case of a facsimile
transmission, on the covering page.

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.