Chair of Research Ethics Board (REB) for the National Research Council Canada (NRC)

The contract solicits the services of an experienced and qualified individual to serve as the Chair of the National Research Council (NRC) Research Ethics Board (REB) for an initial two-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with the possibility of up to four additional two-year extensions. The Chair will report directly to the NRC Senior Ethics Officer and provide leadership to the REB, ensuring rigorous ethical oversight of research involving human participants according to NRC policies, Canadian research ethics standards including the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), and applicable Indigenous ethical frameworks. The role requires managing the REB review process, supporting ethical compliance by NRC researchers, and safeguarding high standards of research integrity. The contract is structured as a federal solicitation under NAICS code 541690, administered by the National Research Council of Canada, with a virtual place of performance within the National Capital Region (NCR). The solicitation includes a comprehensive set of 29 custom contract clauses addressing key areas such as intellectual property rights (with Canada owning foreground IP), confidentiality, data protection, inspection and acceptance, termination provisions, and insurance. Subcontracting is expressly prohibited, and all personnel must hold appropriate security clearances to access any protected information, with the Contractor responsible for maintaining and demonstrating required credentials throughout contract performance. Evaluation of proposals emphasizes technical merit (with a required minimum score of 32/40 for compliance) centered on REB experience, advising on ethical matters, and knowledge of Canadian research ethics standards, weighted at 70%, alongside price weighted at 30%, with the award based on the highest combined score. The contract administration details require invoices to be submitted electronically within 30 days of acceptance, accompanied by progress reports. The initial contract period covers July 2026 to June 2028, with options for four subsequent two-year renewals at the same terms and conditions. Performance is virtual, with NRC-issued computing equipment provided. Inspection and acceptance rights reside solely with the Government of Canada, permitting review at any site where work is performed, with quality standards guided by NRC specifications and recognized Canadian research ethics protocols. The proposal process mandates separate technical and financial submissions electronically by June 1, 2026, with strict formatting and size requirements. Security requirements, ethical certifications, and integrity assurances are critical components of the evaluation, reflecting the sensitive and high-standard nature of leadership expected for the NRC REB Chair position.