Public Opinion Research

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: Public Opinion Research

EP363-140002/A Laurin, Anne Telephone No. - (613) 993-0047 Fax No. - (613) 991-5870

REQUEST FOR INDUSTRY COMMENTS (RFIC) ON A REQUEST FOR STANDING OFFERS FOR PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Responses must be submitted by 2:00 pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time on August 8th, 2014

1. NATURE OF REQUEST FOR INDUSTRY COMMENTS

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFIC will not result in the award of any contract, therefore, potential suppliers of any goods or services described in the attached project outline should not earmark stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFIC. Nor will this RFIC result in the creation of any source list, therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFIC will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFIC will not necessarily follow this RFIC. This RFIC is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFIC.

2. NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, recommendations on how the requirements or objectives described in the project outline could be satisfied. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

3. RESPONSE COSTS

Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFIC.

4. TREATMENT OF RESPONSES

Use of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to modify procurement strategies. Canada will review all responses received by the RFIC closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFIC closing date.

Review Team: A review team composed of representatives from PWGSC will review the responses on behalf of Canada. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources, which it deems necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.

Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will treat those portions of the responses as confidential to the extent permitted by the Access to Information Act.

Follow-up Activity: Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.

5. 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, respondents with questions regarding this RFIC may direct their enquiries to:

Anne Laurin at (613) 993-0047 or by email at: anne.laurin@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

6. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Time and Place for Submission of Responses: Suppliers interested in providing a response should deliver it directly to the Contracting Authority by the time and date indicated on page 1 of this solicitation document. The preferred method of response is by e-mail at:

anne.laurin@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

Responsibility for Timely Delivery: Timely delivery and correct direction of responses is the sole responsibility of the respondent. PWGSC will not assume or have transferred to it those responsibilities.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Contracting Officer named above.

7. 2015 RENEWAL OF PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH STANDING OFFERS

The Public Opinion Research Directorate (PORD) of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) provides advisory, coordination and knowledge management services in the field of Public Opinion Research (POR) to federal departments and agencies. As part of this role, PORD in collaboration with the Communication Procurement Directorate (CPD) of PWGSC, is responsible for developing procurement tools, including Standing Offers for POR. As you may know, the current POR Standing Offers that came into effect on April 1, 2010, includes extension periods that will expire March 31, 2015. The Standing Offers provides Government of Canada departments and agencies access to prequalified firms with expertise, experience and capacity necessary to achieve value for money. As a next step in the development of new POR Standing Offers, PWGSC is seeking comments from suppliers on a number of topics.

7.1) Research Streams

The current Standing Offers for POR services includes the following research streams:

1. Fieldwork and Data Tabulation - Telephone 2. Fieldwork and Data Tabulation - Online 3. Online Pre-testing of Advertising 4. Series A - Qualitative-Aboriginal Stream 5. Series A - Qualitative-Ethno-cultural Stream 6. Series A - Qualitative-General Population Stream 7. Series B - Quantitative-Aboriginal Stream 8. Series B - Quantitative -Ethno-cultural Stream 9. Series B - Quantitative -General Population Stream 10. Series C - Qualitative/Quantitative-Aboriginal Stream 11. Series C - Qualitative/Quantitative -Ethno-cultural Stream 12. Series C - Qualitative/Quantitative -General Population Stream

Given the minimal usage of a number of these research streams, PWGSC is considering reducing the research streams to the following:

1. Series A - Field and Data Tabulation for Telephone Surveys; 2. Series B - Qualitative Research for all target populations and qualitative research methods; 3. Series C - Quantitative Research for all target populations and quantitative research methods; 4. Series D - Qualitative/Quantitative Research for all target populations and research methods; and 5. Series E - Web-Site Usability Testing.

We would welcome comments from suppliers regarding what further enhancements and/or efficiencies could be gained for the Government of Canada in the upcoming process to achieve value for money within any of the proposed streams.

7.2) Other

Are there any other comments you wish to provide regarding the renewal of the Standing Offers?

For information on PWGSC's current Standing Offers please click on the following link: http://publiservice.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/rop-por/offres-offers-eng.h tml.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.