Evaluation Services to Build an Indigenous Evaluation Framework for the Setting New Directions strategic plan.

This procurement seeks an Indigenous-owned contractor to conduct an Indigenous-centered evaluation of the Tri-agency Setting New Directions strategic plan (2020–present), using a co-developed mixed-methods framework grounded in relational accountability and Indigenous data sovereignty. The evaluation will examine outcomes across governance, institutional, and community domains, generating evidence-based findings and actionable recommendations to guide future policy and program design for Indigenous research and training in Canada. The work must adhere to OCAP® principles and federal privacy legislation, with all deliverables required in English. The contractor must demonstrate proven experience in decolonizing evaluation practices and integrating Indigenous traditional and holistic knowledge, including use of Indigenous-defined indicators of success such as community well-being and relationships to land, with at least one verified example from the past five years. The contract is set aside exclusively for Indigenous businesses under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business, and only eligible entities—such as Elders, Band or Tribal Council-owned businesses, or those registered on the Indigenous Business Directory—are eligible to bid. The evaluation plan is due in Fall 2026, followed by a mid-term report in March 2027, and a draft and final report due by January 31, 2028 and March 1, 2028, respectively. Payment is structured as a firm, all-inclusive fixed-price model tied to milestone delivery, with a maximum budget ceiling of $180,000 CAD, excluding taxes. All travel and living expenses related to work within the National Capital Region and between the contractor’s location and designated sites across Canada are included in the unit prices. Contractors must maintain detailed, machine-readable accounting records for seven years after final payment and are subject to audit by Canada at any time. Insurance, ethics, and conflict of interest requirements are strictly enforced, including prohibition of benefit to individuals governed by federal conflict of interest codes. The offer must include signed declaration forms, an integrity declaration, and certification of eligibility under the PSIB, and must be submitted electronically by the June 30, 2026 deadline. Proposals are evaluated using a point-based system totaling 85 points, prioritizing demonstrated reciprocity and sustained relationships with Indigenous communities, project similarity, and specific relevant experience, with mandatory pass/fail gates for Indigenous expertise and budget compliance. Canada retains copyright over all deliverables, and the contractor operates as an independent entity, not an employee of the government.