Request for Information - Hydrology and Methylmercury and Water Quality

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is seeking industry feedback through a Request for Information to refine the scope of work for a regional environmental assessment related to hydrology and methylmercury contamination in water quality across Canada, particularly in areas impacted by the Ring of Fire development. The initiative is structured around two streams: one addressing gaps in peatland ecohydrology, ground ice dynamics, and fish habitat impacts, and the other evaluating baseline water quality parameters such as sulphate, pH, redox potential, organic carbon, and climate-driven changes affecting methylmercury bioaccumulation. Responses to this RFI will inform budget planning, timeline development, and the identification of qualified subject matter experts, with no formal award anticipated at this stage. The government anticipates a potential contract value between $50,000 and $250,000 for subsequent work, though this is indicative only and not binding. All proposed deliverables must be submitted electronically and include a detailed methodology and workplan, draft and final technical reports, virtual community interviews with video recordings, a summarized report with video, and geospatial data in standard formats such as Shapefiles, CSV, and File Geodatabases accompanied by ISO 19115-compliant metadata. Work must adhere to the Accessible Canada Act, Treasury Board Green Procurement Policy, and OCAP principles for Indigenous data stewardship, ensuring all outputs are accessible, environmentally sustainable, and culturally respectful. Performance is primarily virtual, with minimal in-person engagement limited to up to two meetings in Thunder Bay, Timmins, or Toronto, and no physical shipping or packaging is required beyond electronic submission. The project requires strict compliance with federal data quality, security, and accessibility standards, and while no security clearance is mandated, contractors must undergo screening for facility access. The point of contact for submissions is Kim Martin at the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, with all responses to be directed via email by the posted date of May 22, 2026, though no firm deadline is enforced.