Executive Recruitment

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a federal Crown corporation responsible for advancing Canada’s housing system, is seeking qualified executive search firms through a Request for Standing Offer (RFSO-4010) to support senior leadership recruitment on an as-needed basis over a five-year term. The solicitation is divided into two streams: Stream 1 targets recruitment for vice-president-level and above executive roles, including VP/Deputy Chief and SVP/Chief equivalents, while Stream 2 focuses on director-level and equivalent positions. Respondents must demonstrate experience in inclusive executive search practices and provide measurable accountability measures to ensure diverse candidate pipelines, aligning with CMHC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as outlined in legislative frameworks such as the Employment Equity Act, Accessibility Canada Act, and Pay Equity Act. Proposals are evaluated through a two-stage process: mandatory pass/fail criteria must be met to advance, followed by a weighted scoring system totaling 100%, with the largest emphasis placed on methodology (30%), followed by organizational experience (15%), area of expertise self-assessment (15%), service level agreements and replacement guarantees (15%), team qualifications (10%), pricing structure (10%), and value-add offerings (5%). A minimum overall score of 70% is required for responsiveness, and no more than ten firms per stream will be selected for a Standing Offer Master Agreement. Pricing is not fixed and will be negotiated individually with selected vendors, submitted via Appendix B, and evaluated based on fee models including contingency-based or retainer structures, with optional services such as psychometric assessments requiring detailed pricing. All services must be delivered from a Canadian-based location, with travel requiring prior written approval and reimbursement in accordance with CMHC’s travel policy. Vendors must comply with CMHC’s Vendor Code of Conduct, including attestation to the absence of forced or child labor in their supply chains, and adhere to strict confidentiality, data protection, and privacy by design principles, obtaining candidate consent for personal information sharing and ensuring all staff and subcontractors are trained in privacy protocols. Security clearances at the RELIABILITY level may be required for personnel, and firms must maintain records for two years post-contract for audit purposes, subject to audit by CMHC up to twice per year. Invoicing is contingent upon receipt of a purchase order and completion of services, with payments made by EFT within 30 days of invoice submission, referencing the PO and SO Master Agreement. Late submissions will be rejected, and