REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
ACCESSIBLE DOCUMENTS / FILES
Background and Purpose of this Request for Information (RFI)
Every year, the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization (operating as Accessibility Standards Canada) creates a variety of content and documents. This statement of work ensures the department’s obligation to providing accessible documents upon request. The documents will require design, layout, production, and accessibility review services. Some are for the exclusive use of public servants, some are to the attention of the Board of Directors, and other documents are shared with the public. Documents and products, whether they are in PDF, MS/Word, MS/Excel or MS/PowerPoint, Braille, Audio file formats, Large Print and Daisy, could require only design and production, while others could require design, accessibility review and/or transformation into Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliant formats.
Nature of Request for Information
Support Accessibility Standards Canada with the design, layout, production, and complete accessibility reviews of a variety of content, in both French and English, that may be required from time to time in the following areas:
Stream 1: PDF’s
Stream 2: PDF Fillable Forms (using Adobe LiveCycle Designer)
Stream 3: PDF Fillable Forms (generic)
Stream 4: MS/Word (or equivalent word processing software)
Stream 5: MS/Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet software)
Stream 6: MS/PowerPoint (or equivalent presentation software)
Stream 7: Braille
Stream 8: Audio File Formats
Stream 9: Large Print
Stream 10: Digital Accessible Information Systems (Daisy)
Legislation, Trade Agreements, and Government Policies
At a minimum, the contractor is responsible for abiding by and meeting the obligations set by the following Legislation, Trade Agreements and Government Policies in the provision of services under any future contracts, but not limited to:
Legislation:
a. the Financial Administration Act;
b. the Public Service Employment Act;
c. the Accessible Canada Act; and
d. Treasury Board Policies and Directives
Trade Agreements:
The trade agreements that could affect any follow-on solicitation(s) will be determined at solicitation stage.
Government Policies:
1. Government of Canada requirements for publication:
https://www.publications.gc.ca/site/eng/services/preSubInfoChecklist.html
Enquiries
Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, any questions from respondents concerning this RFI must be made in writing to the Contracting Authority stated below, via e-mail on or before the closing date.
Name: Norm Sharpe
Title: Procurement Specialist
Accessibility Standards Canada
Address: 320 boul. Saint-Joseph suite 246,
Address: 320 boul. Saint-Joseph suite 246,
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
E-mail address: NAC.SM.SERVICESFINANCIERS-FINANCIALSERVICES.CS.ASC@asc-nac.gc.ca
Canada reserves the right to not respond to questions received after the closing date or to any question not related to this RFI. Enquiries that are of a proprietary nature must be clearly marked "proprietary" at each relevant item. Items identified as “proprietary” will be treated as such, except where Canada determines that the enquiry is not of a proprietary nature. Canada may edit the questions or may request that the respondent do so, so that the proprietary nature of the question is eliminated, and the responses will be made publicly available through the Government Electronic Tendering Service CanadaBuys (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en).
Changes to this RFI may occur and will be advertised through an amendment on the Government Electronic Tendering System. Canada asks Respondents to visit CanadaBuys (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en) regularly to check for changes, if any.
Response Costs
Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.
Treatment of Responses
a) Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.
b) Review Team: A review team composed of representatives of the client (where applicable) and ASC will review the responses. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.
c) Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.
d) Follow-up Activity: Canada may, at its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.
Format of Responses
1. Title Page: The first page should be the title page, which should contain:
a) the title of the respondent’s response and the volume number;
b) the name and address of the respondent;
c) the name, address and telephone number of the respondent’s contact;
d) the date; and
e) the RFI number.
2. Numbering System: Respondents are requested to prepare their response using a numbering system corresponding to the one in this RFI. All references to descriptive material, technical manuals and brochures included as part of the response should be referenced accordingly.
3. Number of Copies: Canada requests that respondents submit [1] copy of their responses
Closing Date and Submission of Responses
a) Closing Date: Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Authority and will be accepted until 2:00 Pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) On December 11, 2024.
b) Time and Place for Submission of Responses: Suppliers interested in providing a response by email NAC.SM.SERVICESFINANCIERS-FINANCIALSERVICES.CS.ASC@asc-nac.gc.ca to the Contracting Authority by the time and date indicated above.
c) Responsibility for Timely Delivery: Each respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response is emailed on time to NAC.SM.SERVICESFINANCIERS-FINANCIALSERVICES.CS.ASC@asc-nac.gc.ca.
d) Identification of Response: Each respondent should ensure that its name and return address, the solicitation number and the closing date appear legibly of the response.
e) Responses after the Closing Date: We welcome any information that will be shared after the deadline too. Please send responses to NAC.SM.SERVICESFINANCIERS-FINANCIALSERVICES.CS.ASC@asc-nac.gc.ca after the closing date.
