Standards for the conduct of Government of Canada Public Opinion Research -Qualitative

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

EP363-150001/A Mondoux, Glenn Telephone No. - (613) 991-5791 ( ) Fax No. - (613) 991-5870

REQUEST FOR INDUSTRY COMMENTS (RFIC) FOR CONSULTATION ON THE STANDARDS FOR THE CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Responses must be submitted by 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on December 4, 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 the Standards for the Conduct of Government of Canada Public Opinion Research - Qualitative Research. 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:

Glenn Mondoux at (613) 991-5791 or by email at: glenn.mondoux@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:

glenn.mondoux@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. CONSULTATION ON THE STANDARDS FOR THE CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

In 2013, the Public Opinion Research Directorate (PORD) released revised quantitative standards for telephone and on-line research following consultation with stakeholders.

The development of government-wide standards responds to recommendations from Chapter 2 of the November 2005 report of the Auditor General of Canada on The Quality and Reporting of Surveys. In this report, the Auditor General recommended that the Public Opinion Research Directorate adapt the relevant standards of the market research industry and develop suitable benchmarks applicable to surveys commissioned by departments.

As a next step in the development of public opinion research (POR) standards for the Government of Canada (GC), we are pleased to introduce the attached draft Standards for the Conduct of Government of Canada Public Opinion Research - Qualitative Research.

A significant proportion of POR projects undertaken for GC use qualitative methodologies. Tailored qualitative standards will help ensure uniform, high quality POR studies conducted for the GC. Based on the recommendations from the 2012 Advisory Panel on Government of Canada Qualitative Public Opinion Research Quality, PORD developed draft standards and best practices to respond to the needs of government clients conducting qualitative studies.

As direct stakeholder and future user of these proposed standards, we are inviting you to review the attached documents and to provide comments in the language of your choice. 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.