1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) Participant Funding Program (PFP) provides Indigenous peoples, members of the public, and stakeholders with the opportunity to apply for funding in support of their participation in the CNSC’s regulatory decision-making process. A Funding Review Committee (FRC), composed of a panel of external experts, reviews all applications and recommends which funding requests to approve, for what amount, and the objectives each recipient must meet. The proposed contractor has the expertise and qualifications required to undertake this work.
The purpose of this advance contract award notice (ACAN) is to signal the CNSC’s intention to award a contract for these services to:
Colette Spagnuolo
The estimated value of the contract is $5,000.00 for the period covering the date of contract award (est. July 2024) to March 31st, 2025. Additionally, the CNSC may include up to 9 additional option years at an estimated value of $5,000 per option year as required.
Before awarding the contract, however, the CNSC would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this ACAN, by submitting a statement of capabilities within the posting period for this ACAN, which is a minimum of 15 calendar days.
If, during the posting period, other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in this ACAN, the CNSC may proceed to a full tendering process via the Government Electronic Tendering Service or by inviting bids directly from suppliers.
If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract will be awarded to the above-noted supplier.
2.0 BACKGROUND
The CNSC’s PFP awards funding each year to eligible recipients in relation to CNSC-regulated facilities and activities. The PFP is required to have an independent FRC to review and make recommendations on all PFP applications that are submitted to the PFP Administrator throughout the year. The FRC may include at least three individuals external to the CNSC and are selected based on their knowledge and background in nuclear regulatory, Indigenous consultation and environmental review process matters. The involvement of specific committee members depends on their experience, availability, willingness and ability to participate in the funding review process for each project.
3.0 OBJECTIVES
The contractor will be required to attend FRC meetings, review PFP applications and make recommendations on funding amounts and objectives. The involvement of the contractor will depend on their experience, availability, willingness and ability to participate in the funding review process for each project. The contractor will contribute to the drafting of an FRC Recommendations Report that is submitted to CNSC Senior management at the end of each review.
4.0 SCOPE OF WORK
The contractor will be responsible for reviewing the total funding amount for each project and suggesting adjustments as necessary, based on interest in the project and excellence of the proposals. The contractor will also be responsible for reviewing funding applications received by the CNSC and developing recommendations for individual funding amounts and objectives. These recommendations are communicated to the PFP Administrator through writing via email and the FRC Recommendations Report, and orally through meetings.
5.0 TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
Once the contractor is selected as an FRC member for a specific project, they will be required to complete the following tasks and deliverables:
• Review of the PFP applications and relevant background materials in relation to the project, to be provided by the PFP Administrator in advance of the FRC meeting.
• Submit questions or requests for more information to the PFP Administrator, if required.
• Attend meeting(s) to discuss the applications with other FRC members on the panel and to make recommendations on individual funding amounts and objectives.
• Contribute to drafting and signing an FRC Recommendations Report summarizing the FRC’s recommendations.
• Submit the final FRC Recommendations Report to the PFP Administrator, who will provide it to CNSC Senior Management.
6.0 MINIMUM MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
Any interested consultant must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:
• The consultant shall have experience in government, at a director level or higher, with expertise in reviewing environmental and impact assessment projects, federal participant funding programs and solving regulatory issues.
• The consultant must not currently be employed by the Public Service of Canada or any other levels of government.
• The consultant cannot have any business or personal ties to project proponents or PFP applicants, and is required to certify this by signing an attestation form if selected as a committee member.
7.0 JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PRE-SELECTED SUPPLIER
Colette Spagnuolo was a director at the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and has over 20 years of experience in environmental and impact assessment. During this time, she has led consultation and engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other interested parties, and the public on major environmental and impact assessments. As part of this work, she provided advice to senior management as well as federal departments and provincial governments regarding Indigenous consultation and public participation in environmental and impact assessments on Indigenous consultation and public participation. She was also responsible for developing and implementing the process of integrated impact assessments with lifecycle regulators. This has given her extensive knowledge of environmental and impact assessment processes, regulatory issues, as well as the important issues and considerations that must be taken into account when reviewing funding applications from the public, Indigenous Nations and communities, and NGOs. Colette Spagnuolo is not a current member of the Public Service of Canada and does not possess personal ties to project proponents or PFP applicants.
8.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
No intellectual property is expected to be generated as a result of this contract.
9.0 STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements 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 advertised requirements.
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
10.0 CONTACT INFORMATION
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed in writing to: solicitation-demandedesoumission@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
11.0 GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTION(S)
The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations (GCRs) is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work".
