User Testing Experience Services

The contract is for User Experience Testing Services to support the College@ESDC and the Canadian Digital Service (CDS) in identifying and resolving accessibility and usability barriers within their digital training products and learning solutions, with a specific focus on users who rely on assistive and adaptive technologies. The work must be performed remotely within Canada, with no network access required by the contractor, and is governed by the laws of Quebec. The contract will be awarded for a base term of three years from August 21, 2026, to August 20, 2029, with an option to extend for one additional year through written notice provided at least 30 days prior to the end of the base term. Evaluation of bids will be conducted through a two-stage pass/fail and weighted scoring process, requiring a minimum technical score of 50 out of 100 points before price consideration. The technical merit carries a 60% weight, while price accounts for 40%, and in the event of identical total scores, the bidder with the higher technical score will be selected. Technical evaluation criteria include accessibility testing methodology aligned with EN 301 549 and WCAG standards, expertise in eLearning accessibility, active involvement of assistive technology users, quality of reporting and remediation guidance, quality assurance controls, workload management consistency, and demonstrated professionalism through prior deliverables. The contractor must deliver accessibility reports with unique issue identifiers, clear descriptions, severity ratings, references to affected components, supporting evidence such as screenshots, and actionable remediation guidance tailored for developers, all structured for consistent tracking. Each completed request constitutes a deliverable, with an expected volume of up to 45 requests per quarter from the College and up to 20 from CDS. Standard requests must be delivered within five business days, while complex requests require advance agreement on timelines. The contractor must maintain separate communications, deliverables, timelines, and invoicing for each organization, as both the College and CDS independently manage their own requirements, approvals, budgeting, and coordination. Invoices must be submitted solely in the contractor's name to the designated Project or Technical Authority, only after work completion, and must include detailed expenditure breakdowns, financial codes, tax information with government registration numbers, and clear indications of whether the invoice covers partial or final delivery. Payment will be processed via direct deposit or wire transfer, with enrollment handled through a specified email. The contractor is required to maintain complete and auditable records of all costs, contracts,