Gender-Based Analysis Research of Procurement Processes and Training Development
Statement of Work
Title
Gender-Based Analysis Research of Procurement Processes and Training Development
Introduction
There are currently over 65,000 Inuit in Canada. They are the fastest growing population in Canada, with 51 Inuit communities across the Arctic and almost 30% of Inuit living in urban centres.
Inuit in Canada consistently experience lower economic participation levels than the national average. In 2012, the national average unemployment rate was approximately 7.3%, while for Inuit the average was more than double at 16%. The unemployment rate for Inuit women in 2012 across Inuit Nunangat was 16.2%, compared with a rate of 23.5% for Inuit men, while Inuit women are more likely to be employed or self-employed. The labour market reflects a participation rate of 60% for Inuit women in Inuit Nunangat. To develop programs and services targeted to support Inuit women, a greater understanding of gendered needs, challenges and gaps across the Inuit Nunangat is required.
Background
Enhancing Inuit Women’s Economic Development is a five-year project striving to develop resources, supports and research which support the economic well-being of Inuit women across Canada. This project will serve to further develop existing operations and resources of the Inuit Women in Business Network (IWBN), be available in both languages, English and Inuktut, and made available across Inuit Nunangat and the rest of Canada. The project will also provide strategic direction on the organization’s broad economic development activities directly from Inuit women. This approach will facilitate sharing promising practices and identify pertinent economic development priorities as they relate to Inuit women, while developing corresponding strategies.
Goals of the Project
The project activities will sustain and enhance existing networking and mentorship initiatives besides supporting Inuit women’s entrepreneurship, a group which has historically been under-represented in the Canadian economy.
By undertaking a comprehensive consultation and engagement process in collaboration with Inuit businesswomen and relevant partners, such as regional economic development organizations, the project will establish the needs and priorities of Inuit women for their economic advancement and participation in the labour force, while building the partnerships vital to encourage economic development. This project will promote a greater understanding of the unique priorities, needs and challenges faced by Inuit women across Canada to reduce the barriers to their participation in the economy.
The long-term objectives of this project are:
- To establish the needs and priorities for Inuit women’s economic development.
- To help close services gaps; and,
- To strengthen the capacity of Inuit businesswomen within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Scope
This is an open call to individuals, firms, or organizations for two-phased project: to conduct a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) research of the accessibility current procurement process (governmental/private) in relation to Inuit women; and to develop a virtual forum through which the procurement training can be delivered. Using Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada’s (PIWC) Gender-Based Analysis of Inuit Women-Owned Businesses report as a guiding resource, the successful candidate will undertake the following tasks:
Part I: Identification of gaps
The first phase of the project will consist of identifying challenges and barriers encountered by Inuit women when bidding for procurement contracts. A mixed methodology of surveys and interviews (in-person travel pending COVID-19 pandemic protocols) will be utilized to assess the following questions:
- How accessible are procurement opportunities for Inuit women in terms of language, technicality, eligibility?
- What challenges and barriers are encountered by Inuit women who bid/attempt to apply for procurement contracts across Canada?
- What are the recommended solutions to better increase the accessibility of lucrative procurement bids for Inuit women?
Groups to be interviewed include Inuit businesswomen, community/regional Economic Development Officers (EDOs), and procurement contractors across all relevant sectors.
A final report summarizing the results will be developed to inform Phase II of the project.
Phase II: Development of training module
Based on the results of the Phase I report, a training module will be developed to provide an overarching step-by-step training module on how to create/submit a successful bid. The module will include essential information provided by procurement contractors in relation to successful applications. Pending COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and protocols, the training will be provided in- communities and city centers across Canada.
The training will also be available virtually through an online forum that will include all components of the project.
It is important for applicants to clearly demonstrate an understanding of Inuit culture, values, and in and the socio-economic realities in Inuit Nunangat. Applicants must also have experience working with Inuit communities, actors, governments, and organizations, possess effective communication skills and method and have the proven expertise to produce culturally relevant work.
Specifications
- Identification of gaps experienced by Inuit women in procurement processes through interviews/surveys, which will be sorted, analyzed, and compiled into a final report.
- Development of a procurement training module based on findings from Phase I.
- Virtual forum through which the procurement training can be delivered as the second portion of this RFP project, which would also need to be managed/updated accordingly.
- Development and implementation of a communications plan to promote the training module.
In addition, the successful applicants will be required to:
- take part in project meetings and teleconferences as requested by PIWC and partner contractors.
- provide progress updates as required; and,
- submit all final project documents upon completion.
Timeline
The duration of the contract will be from:
- Bids accepted until, May 6, 2022.
- Contract begins, May 13, 2022.
- Delivery of resources, September 30, 2022.
- Contract ends; September 30, 2022.
Pauktuutit’s Roles and Responsibilities
The primary contact at Pauktuutit for this project is Lema Ijtemaye, Manager of Social and Economic Development (lijtemaye@pauktuutit.ca).
PIWC commits to provide the information and materials necessary to complete the work and will respond to requests for information in a timely fashion.
PIWC will provide a decision within three business days.
Confidentiality, Privacy and Copyright
The successful applicant shall not disclose to any party any confidential information gained or resulting from activities undertaken under this project, nor shall the applicant disclose any information concerning Pauktuutit or their affairs where such information is obtained through this Project.
Pauktuutit and the successful applicant will agree to publicly and mutually acknowledge and accord appropriate credit for each other’s contribution in this project, including any products developed and disseminated as a result. Both parties will come to an agreement on how credit is attributed, depending on the nature and degree of each organization’s contribution.
It is understood that Pauktuutit retains ownership of any and all materials and intellectual property created, designed, or produced as a result of activities undertaken by the successful applicant when awarded this project.
It is understood that the successful applicant will generate original work for this project.
Proposal Instructions
- Applicants must submit their company name, and confirm their incorporation, references, and/or portfolio;
- Submit by email to lijtemaye@pauktuutit.ca
- Word format or PDF;
- Estimates/budgets must remain firm March 15, 2023.
- No payment will be made for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this RFP;
- No costs incurred before receipt of a signed contract can be charged to the proposed contract;
- Travel that may be required will be separate from this scope of work budget and will be paid for by Pauktuutit; and,
- Pauktuutit reserves the right not to award a contract as a result of this RFP.
Budget
The proposal must:
- Include a detailed budget not to exceed $250,000 including HST and that demonstrates that the objectives and deliverables for the project can be met;
- Indicate the billing rate;
- List any other expenses that might be applicable; and
- Total bid MUST include 13% HST tax.
Rights of the Organization
Pauktuutit reserves the right to:
- Enter into negotiations with one or more bidders on any or all aspects of this proposal.
- Accept any proposal in whole or in part.
- Cancel and/or re-issue this requirement at any time.
- Award one or more contracts.
- Verify any or all information provided by the bidder with respect to this requirement.
Contact Information
Please direct the application to:
Lema Ijtemaye, Manager of Social and Economic Development
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
520 – 1 Nicholas St. Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7
lijtemaye@pauktuutit.ca
613-238-3977 ext. 245