Innovation Hub Method of Procurement

January 21, 2019 – Amendment As there continues to be demand from Innovation Hubs to participate in the engagement process, Canada is extending the period of the Request for Information and the questionnaire to February 18, 2019 at 14h00 EDT. Canada will analyze the responses received, and will continue to promote the RFI. ***** January 11, 2019 – Amendment This amendment is raised to extend the Request for Information closing date. ***** 1. PURPOSE The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek information from suppliers, and in particular innovation hubs, incubators, accelerators and similar organizations (”Innovation Hubs”), on their interest, capacity and ability to enter into a method of procurement with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to provide the Government of Canada (GC) with innovative solutions. 2. BACKGROUND The GC aims to help companies and businesses grow to better access markets at home and abroad. In addition, the GC is working to make opportunities easier to find, simpler to navigate and faster to award, with less administrative burden. Innovation Hubs are key players in the innovation ecosystem providing a combination of services for businesses/innovators, which may include mentorship, funding, networking, training, office space, etc. Through this RFI, PSPC is seeking to obtain a better understanding of the innovation ecosystem, including the services provided by innovation hubs, incubators and accelerators. 3. OBJECTIVES The objective of this engagement is to inform suppliers of the intention to establish a new method of procurement and to obtain feedback from suppliers and Innovation Hubs on its feasibility. The intent of this RFI is to assess the feasibility and market readiness of the method of procurement, as detailed in the RFI. 4. NEXT STEPS 4.1 QUESTIONNAIRE Suppliers, and in particular Innovation Hubs are requested to complete the questionnaire included with this RFI. The intent of the questionnaire is to enable PSPC to identify interested suppliers and seek their feedback on the market readiness for the proposed method of procurement. The questionnaire can be accessed at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2WLMS7J  4.2 ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS PSPC may offer suppliers the opportunity to meet one-on-one with GC representatives to discuss the proposed method of procurement. To request a one-on-one meeting, interested parties, should complete the questionnaire and express interest to the question on one-on-one meetings. One-on-one meetings may be made available starting January 21, 2019. Following receipt of a request, Canada may contact the Innovation Hub to coordinate a one-on-one meeting. Participation in a one-on-one meeting is not mandatory in order to submit written feedback or for any subsequent process. Canada may also contact Innovation Hubs directly to schedule a one-on-one meeting or seek their feedback via the questionnaire.