SYNDICATED RESEARCH STUDIES

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: The bidder must supply Canadian goods and/or services Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RE. SYNDICATED RESEARCH STUDIES

The Public Opinion Research Directorate (PORD) of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) coordinates public opinion research (POR) activities for the Government of Canada.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, PORD is seeking information on existing public opinion research* syndicated studies** that can be purchased and made available government-wide. Canada is principally interested in studies that may provide relevant information to assist and support a large number of government programs, and not duplicate existing custom research. Suppliers can submit syndicated products on any topic area. Preference may be given to Government of Canada priority areas.

Canada is in search of the most economical means of accessing research on these broad issues. Consequently, this Request for Information (RFI) solicits detailed information on syndicated research studies.

A syndicated study will be selected based on whether it meets the needs of Government of Canada departments, whether there is sufficient interest and available budget, whether it provides sufficient value, and whether it is the most cost-effective research option available. Looking at each study independently, consideration will be given to the purchase of a government-wide subscription. Only studies offering a government-wide subscription will be considered. Please note: Canada is under no obligation to proceed with the purchase of subscriptions to any of the syndicated research studies for which information is received***. PORD will act as the central purchaser and coordinator on behalf of Canada, if and when syndicated research study subscriptions are to be obtained.

All submissions must demonstrate the high quality of the research products being presented for consideration and the value-for-money they offer. Submissions should contain (at minimum) the following details:

i. the title of the study; ii. an overview of the topics covered, including questions and/or specific areas/issues addressed in the research; a. please note: Syndicated research studies are not to contain information regarding electoral voting intentions, or political party preferences or party standings with the electorate; iii. the target population(s) covered; iv. a breakdown of the methodology used. In the case of qualitative research: research techniques, research frequency, recruiting methods, recruiting sources, geographic locations, etc., and, in the case of quantitative research: research techniques, sample size and breakdown by region, survey duration, frequency of surveys, sample source (probability or non-probability) as well as any other pertinent information, etc.; v. details of the language(s) used in data collection; vi. suppliers should indicate whether the syndicated product currently exists. Please also include information on tracking data availability, if applicable; vii. the deliverables; a. indicate what deliverables are included in the price (e.g. final report, data tables, raw data file (SPSS/Excel etc.), presentation. At minimum the deliverables should include 2 presentations, and accompanying presentation deck; b. planned timeline should be included (e.g. tentative field and deliverable dates); viii. cost; a. a total cost with and without HST (as a government-wide licence). Also note that cost proposals should include two presentations (via web/video conference) to the Canada on the research findings, and accompanying presentation deck; b. a total cost if the same project was done as a custom study for Canada); c. suppliers should provide a separate cost for the translation (with and without HST) of the final presentation deck separate from the cost of the overall syndicated study; d. suppliers should also provide a separate cost (with and without HST) for a fully web accessible**** version of the final presentation deck in HTML 5.0.

Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all suppliers. However, suppliers with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries to paola.amaral@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca.

RESPONSES

Canada will review all submissions received by 2:00pm EST on September 29, 2017. PSPC will periodically re-issue the RFI to allow suppliers who miss the deadline an opportunity to submit information on their syndicated studies.

Responses should be submitted directly to Paola Amaral at paola.amaral@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca. Responses should include the RFI Submission Template provided below.

* Definition of Public Opinion Research - https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/government-communications/public-opinion-research-government.html

** For your interest, and for the sake of clarity, this is how we describe syndicated research to our federal government clients: Syndicated research studies are off the shelf products produced by the private sector on a range of societal and government-specific topics (e.g. social media usage, youth, etc.) for paying subscribers. Costs and the results of these studies are shared only among subscribers for a fixed period of time, often in the form of reports, presentations, raw data, etc. Unlike custom research where Canada determines the research content and retains the intellectual property, the firms who produce syndicated studies retain copyright and sole responsibility for managing the content.

*** The issuance of this RFI does not create an obligation for Canada to issue a solicitation or contract, and does not bind the GC legally or otherwise, to enter into any agreement with the respondents. Canada reserves the right to cancel or modify any of the preliminary requirements described herein.

**** Standard on Web Accessibility - https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ws-nw/wa-aw/index-eng.asp

Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this opportunity exclusively for companies on the Standing Offer or is it open to others?

This opportunity is not exclusive to Standing Offer holders and any supplier with a syndicated research study may submit a response.

2. Do RFI submissions have to use the exact Word template provided, or can we use a branded PowerPoint template as long as it includes all the required information?

Although we prefer that the template be used, suppliers can submit the information in any format as long as the information is included.

3. I was wondering about having a web-ready copy of the report available if the study is not intended for public use but rather for internal use only. Would this still be required?

Although it is not shared publicly, as it government-wide it is shared to all GC departments through our intranet (internally), and has to be accessible for employees.

4. What is meant by key areas of interest?

Key areas of interest, the 3rd item indicted on the RFI Submission Template refers to the topic, subject area, or key areas of interest in the suppliers syndicated product.

5. When you say target population, are you referring to the group(s) or stakeholders that are being surveyed or are you talking about who would be interested in accessing this information contained in the survey?

Target population refers to the population and sub populations being surveyed.

6. Can we submit copies of the templates for the Syndicated Studies electronically or do you require a hard copy of each study template by the due date?

Electronic copies are accepted, and are preferred as per the Government of Canada Greening Initiatives.

7. If a syndicated product contains voting intentions, can a supplier remove those from the syndicated reports being offered to the Government of Canada in order to ensure political neutrality?

Yes. As long as this information is fully removed from reports/deliverables this is acceptable.

Note: The Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Communications http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=30682 does not allow the Government of Canada to use resources related to purchase political voting /party intentions etc. The reference states:

"Ensuring that resources are not used for public opinion research activities to determine electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, party standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leaders."

8. Will PORD consider extending the deadline of Solicitation EP363-181059/A by 2 weeks?

No. The closing date remains September 29, 2017 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). PSPC will periodically re-issue the RFI to allow suppliers who miss the deadline an opportunity to submit information on their syndicated studies.

9. In the past, some syndicated products purchased by the Government of Canada had a variety of features, including core questions available to all subscribers and proprietary questions available to subscribers on a per question purchase basis. Is this approach in line with current thinking regarding syndicated research studies and this RFI?

The RFI is meant for the purchase of syndicated research. In circumstances where studies allow for the inclusion of additional questions generated by the Government of Canada, it will be treated through a separate contract. These client based/ omnibus questions will be treated as custom research and the results will be made available to the public through the Library and Archives of Canada Website. A methodology report along with the data table(s) will be required. The cost of any client-based questions and methodology report should be identified separately.

10. In terms of section viii (cost) d. which refers to a fully web accessible version of the final presentation, can you confirm that this web accessible version is intended for internal Government of Canada use only and not intended to be made public on any Government of Canada website or other source? If there is an intent to make it public, is there a delay period before public release (for example, would it be made available one year after initial publication)? Likewise, are all other deliverables (reports, tables, and so forth) intended for Government of Canada internal use only or would they be made public

Web accessible versions of the final presentations are only intended for internal Government of Canada use and will not be made public.

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.