Markido Engage ACAN Renewal

Advanced Contract Award Notice (ACAN) for: 
 
Shared Services Canada on behalf of Other Government Departments for Markido Engage Software
 
What is an 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 for in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award of a contract.
 
This ACAN relates to 1 contract proposed to be awarded to 1 contractor.
 
 
REQUIREMENT: 
 
Shared Services Canada on behalf of its clients, has a requirement for the provision of a commercially available Engage software.
The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government's intention to award a contract for the Software Licenses to Markido Inc.  Before awarding a contract, however, the government provides other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this Notice, by submitting a substantiated statement of capabilities during the fifteen calendar day posting period.
If other potential suppliers submit substantiated statements of capabilities during the fifteen calendar day posting period that meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will evaluate those statements and, if validated, 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 pre-selected supplier. The contract may include provisions for software licenses including associated software maintenance and support services.
 
 
PERIOD OF CONTRACT:
 
It is anticipated to award a contract for 3 years plus 2 option years.
 
 
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:
 
The Software Solution must meet all of the following mandatory functional requirements:
 
 

• Automation:
  • Ability to have direct access to alternate data sources (such as MS Excel, MS Project) to auto-populate presentation ready templates.
  • Ability to provide an autocorrect feature to ease content production

 

• InfoGraphics & DataMaps:
  • Ability to generate PowerPoint graphics and charts that are data driven through embedded MS Excel worksheets (without having to open Excel) that users can use to update their data and render properly scaled images
  • Ability to derive Data Maps that present users with rich maps in PowerPoint where the color of different geographic regions update automatically based on different data values through an automated process.

 

• Flow:
  • Ability to create a custom presentation path using motion and zoom within the PowerPoint environment.  (*not the same as existing Microsoft PowerPoint transition and animation capabilities). 
  • Ability to emphasize different areas of a base page with the appearance of changing focus.

 

• Template Library:
  • Ability to provide precast presentations to all users via a standard, accessible library.
  • Ability to provide corporate, customized templates that adhere to defined standards and branding.

 
In addition to the functional capabilities, the provided solution must integrate with MS PowerPoint version 2010 and higher.
 

• Accessibility:
  • Ability to normalize PowerPoint presentation graphics, objects and data when using screen reader software and technology in support of those with visual impairments.

 
Accessibility
 
The Accessible Canada Act is intended to enhance the full and equal participation of all persons, especially persons with disabilities, in society. This is to be achieved through the progressive realization, under federal jurisdiction, of a Canada without barriers, particularly by the identification, removal and prevention of barriers.
 
SSC’s goal is to ensure that the goods and services the SSC buys are inclusive by design and accessible by default. Considering accessibility in public procurements is now an obligation in the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Procurement. Accessibility criteria must be included in the requirements for goods and services, where appropriate.
 
SSC has a role in implementing the Government of Canada’s (GC) vision for a more accessible Canada because SSC provides the information technology infrastructure that supports the delivery of digital services to Canadians and GC employees. This means that SSC is engaged in the procurement of goods and services and in supporting the delivery of programs and services by other government departments, both of which are areas covered by the Accessible Canada Act. SSC’s goal is for its information technology infrastructure to be more accessible and usable by the broadest range of government officials and Canadians who use it, including those with disabilities.
 
SSC is committed to providing leadership to procure accessible ICT goods and services and supporting the goal of inclusive by design, accessible by default
 
As the intention is for this initiative to take place progressively, suppliers should anticipate that, where a procurement vehicle (e.g. Supply Arrangement) is set up and includes high level ICT accessibility requirements based on the EN 301 549 (2021), that individual drawdowns / procurements / contracts may specify specific accessibility requirements from the EN 301 549 (2021).
 
All Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components of the proposed solution should conform with relevant accessibility requirements of the EN 301 549 (2021).
 

Training/e-learning

Video conferencing “virtual delivery system”

The virtual delivery system must provide a dial-in option so that learners can access the training by phone as needed.
The virtual delivery system must be able to display captions for classroom audio.
The video conferencing system to be used is MS Teams or CISCO WebEx

Screenshots and diagrams as the sole method of explanation

Work instructions must not depend on screenshots or diagrams as the sole means of conveying instructions or context. Providing a detailed text alternative for each image is sufficient to meet this requirement.
 
     
REASONS FOR LIMITED TENDERING:
 
Section 6 of the Government Contract Regulations is being invoked in this procurement as only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.
 
Markido software is the only known commercially available software solution that can meet all of the above mandatory requirements. Markido is also the Software Publisher of the required Software and is the only vendor that can satisfy the requirement for the reason of exclusive and proprietary rights.
 
 
SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES:
 
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services and/or goods described herein, 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 requirement. As it is intended to proceed in a timely manner, responses received after the closing date will not be considered.
 
Responses received on or before the closing date will be considered solely for the purpose of deciding whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement.  Information provided will be used by Canada for technical evaluation purposes only and is not to be construed as a competitive solicitation.  Your written response must provide sufficient evidence (e.g. specifications, technical data, drawings, or any other proof) that clearly demonstrates how your product or service is capable of fulfilling this requirement
 
Suppliers that have submitted a response will be notified in writing of SSC’s decision to continue with the non-competitive procurement or to compete the requirement.
If no other supplier submits on or before the closing date a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in this ACAN, a contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier.
The closing date and time for this notice is August 24, 2023 @ 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time EDT
 
Suppliers may inquire or submit a statement of capabilities to:
Richard Boudreau
Procurement Officer
Internal and Digital Services Procurement
Enterprise IT Procurement
Shared Services Canada
400 Cooper Street, 6^th Floor, Ottawa, ON K2P 2N1
Email: richard.boudreau@ssc-spc.gc.ca
Tel/Tél: 819-962-6234
Government of Canada
 
 
 
 
 
 

• SSC Markido Engage ACAN Renewal- Amendment 000