Strategic Marketing and Communications Services for National Workforce Strategic Action Plan for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Request for Proposals
1. About the Canadian Agricultural HR Council
The Canadian Agricultural HR Council is a national, non-profit organization focused on addressing human resource issues facing agricultural businesses across Canada. The Council works to fully understand and meet the unique needs of those within the various commodity areas that define the national agricultural industry. We are recognized as the centre for reliable labour market information, and the access point for customizable solutions related to LMI, HR management and training. For more information about the Canadian Agricultural HR Council, visit https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/.
2. Project Description
This project will support the future sustainability and growth of the industry through the collaborative development of a national agriculture and food processing workforce strategy. The strategy is informed by existing research as well as the new research conducted through this project to confirm priority action items, and then work to address both immediate labour gaps, and systemic issues faced by the sector. More information on this project can be found here.
2.1 Objective
The overall objective of the project is to develop a strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans as well as materials to support execution of this plan for knowledge mobilization of the National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing activities and outputs.
2.2 Deliverables
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council is requesting proposals from experienced individuals, organizations or teams. The successful bidder will undertake the following activities:
- Develop a strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plan for knowledge mobilization of project-specific content, and;
- Develop communications materials (e.g. white papers, briefs, articles, letters) for specific stakeholders, as identified in the communications and stakeholder engagement plan, for knowledge mobilization of project-specific content.
Note: Deliverables will be provided over the course of the contract on both a scheduled and as-
needed basis.
Final products to be owned by the CAHRC and provided in a format to be determined based on
the project needs
3. Project Management and Oversight
3.1 Project Authority
The Consultant will report to Phyllis MacCallum, Program Manager. The Consultant shall appoint a corresponding lead contact from its team with whom the Program Manager shall communicate.
3.2 Oversight and Guidance
The Program Manager shall liaise between the Consultant and CAHRC staff, naming additional contacts as appropriate.
4. Budget
The budget for this project is $25,000, exclusive of applicable taxes. Please indicated hour or daily rates for each of the activities, including material cost if applicable, addressed in the proposal.
5. Timeline
The project will start December 2022 and end in May 2023.
6. Submission Process
6.1 Communications
All enquiries for clarification of information and proposal submissions can be forwarded to Phyllis MacCallum, Program Manager at pmaccallum@cahrc-cchra.ca .
6.2 Closing
Consideration will be given to all proposals received via e-mail by 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Wednesday, December 7, 2022. It shall be the sole responsibility of the proponent to ensure that the proposal is received at the email address prior to the specified time. The Council shall reply to all proponents with an email confirming receipt of their proposal. Only complete proposals received before closing time will be considered.
7. Evaluation
7.1 Mandatory Criteria
Upon receipt of proposals, the Council will examine each submission for compliance with bidding requirements, prior to carrying out the primary evaluation.
- The proposal must be received by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council before the specified closing time.
- The proposal must be in English and must be submitted by email in PDF format.
- Submissions must not exceed ten (10) pages, excluding consultant CV’s and examples of work. Proposals exceeding this limit shall be disqualified unless a valid reason is provided.
- All proposals must include bidder’s name and quote the title of the project.
- All proposals must provide at least two (2) examples of recent work demonstrating proficiency in:
- Strategic communications planning
- Products produced to support strategic communications needs.
- All proposals must provide two (2) recent references to be contacted.
- All proposals must show price breakdowns on products.
7.2 Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of proposals will be conducted by Council staff. All personnel will keep confidential all information in the proposals. The Council’s intent is to enter into a contract with the proponent achieving the highest overall ranking.
8. Terms
8.1 Development Principles
The consultant will:
- Ensure that all materials drafted are appropriate for both English and French audiences. The Council will translate project documentation.
- Documents must reflect the agriculture and food processing sectors, across Canada.
- Ensure that equity principles are reflected in any language used and in the design of the consultations and research.
- Declare to the Council any interests in or agreements with any supplier of services or materials.
8.2 Sub-Contracting
Using a sub-contractor (who should be clearly identified in the proposal) is acceptable. However, one of these proponents must be prepared to take overall responsibility for successful undertaking and completion of the contract, and this should also be clearly defined in the proposal.
Where applicable, the names of approved sub-contractors listed in the proposal will be included in the contract. No additional subcontractors will be added or other changes made, without the written consent of the Council.
8.3 Acceptance of Proposals
This RFP should not be construed as an agreement to purchase goods or services. The Council is not bound to enter into a contract with the proponent who submits the lowest priced proposal or with any proponent. Proposals will be assessed in light of the evaluation criteria. The Council will be under no obligation to receive further information, whether written or oral, from any proponent.
8.4 Modification of Terms
The Council reserves the right to modify the terms of this RFP at any time at its sole discretion. This includes the right to cancel this RFP at any time prior to entering into a contract with the successful proponent.
8.5 Use of Request for Proposals
Any portion of this document, or any information supplied by the Council in relation to this RFP, may not be used or disclosed for any purpose other than for the submission of proposals. By submitting a proposal, the proponent agrees to hold in confidence all information supplied by Council in relation to this RFP.
