The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is seeking the professional services of a contractor/consultant to collect the contents and create a directory with information of all Ontario ISETS agreement holders within the outlined economic regions in Ontario. This directory would be targeted to support employers in accessing Indigenous labour market programs by region.

Release Date: June 7, 2021

Closing Date: June 30, 2021

  1. OVERVIEW OF SERVICES REQUIRED

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is seeking the professional services of a contractor/consultant to collect the contents and create a directory with information of all Ontario ISETS agreement holders within the outlined economic regions in Ontario. This directory would be targeted to support employers in accessing Indigenous labour market programs by region.

In order to be selected, the successful candidate will have experience and working with Métis, First Nation or Inuit governments or Indigenous organizations, including knowledge of ISETS funding agreement programming , guidelines and service delivery structure.

THE MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO

Since its establishment in 1993, the MNO has advocated for and represented the collective rights, interests and ambitions of Métis communities within Ontario as a part of the larger Métis Nation through its democratically-elected governance structures at the local, regional and provincial levels.

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)’s Statement of Prime Purpose states that as one of its key objectives the MNO is to encourage academic and skills development and enable citizens of the Métis Nation to attain their educational aspirations. In pursuit of this goal, the MNO began offering training initiatives in 1996 with funding from the Métis Human Resource Development Agreement. Since that time the MNO has built an comprehensive infrastructure to deliver employment and training opportunities to qualified Métis candidates.

That success, widely recognized at both the provincial and federal levels, attracted additional program funding. As a result, the MNO became more and more engaged in education oriented initiatives and its responsibilities in the program delivery area continued to grow. As a result, the Education & Training Branch now provides a full range of employment training programs and supports for the educational success of all Métis across Ontario beginning in early childhood, continuing through Kindergarten to Grade 12 and to post-secondary education and into adulthood. MNO currently has over 200 staff working in 32 offices across Ontario. For more information please see the MNO’s most recent annual report at https://www.metisnation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/mno-ar-2020-final-scr.pdf and the MNO Website: https://www.metisnation.org/programs-and-services/education-training/.

  1. NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

The firm selected will be retained to acquire information towards the content in the directory which will be a list of all of the ISETS agreement holders and the sub agreements. We will want to ensure that an employer can reach out directly to the on the ground contact to discuss the opportunity to engage Indigenous clients. It should also indicate the programs specific to the agency mentioned.

The contractor will connect with each ISETS agreement holder in Ontario to obtain the information required to be relevant to this directory including current programing, contact information and locations. Contact names if applicable per location.

Once the directory is completed each ISETS agreement holder could distribute the directory in the communities or areas they service to ensure that they are reaching out to employers directly.

Included would be a yearly calendar of FNMI traditional holidays and seasonal celebrations. This would include Canadian statutory and civic holidays. Locally recognized Indigenous Artwork would be displayed throughout the directory, as it would be culturally appropriate and respected amongst all nations, and complement telling the stories and history.

Foreword page would include Indigenous land acknowledgment and prayer, as well as the purpose of the directory and honorable mention of artists and contributing agencies.

ISETS holders as well as other Indigenous service providers would utilize this directory to connect within their communities to complement their program deliveries and services offered which would strengthen referrals amongst agencies.

This directory would be a useful tool to support Indigenous Cultural awareness within local regions, and provide an opportunity to enhance the Indigenous Heritage/Culture through teachings and traditional art work which is intended to engage users. Enhanced and streamline access to  Service Providers surrounding Indigenous focused education and training programs, while providing culturally appropriate connections to all other individual services to support Ontario Indigenous people.

An electronic version of this directory as well could serve as an ongoing tool shared between all partners and service agencies for year to come.

 

General Requirements

  • Applicant will have experience and knowledge in generally working with Métis, First Nation or Inuit governments or Indigenous organizations;
  • Applicant has knowledge of Indigenous employment and training programming located within the ESDC economic regions of Ontario;
  • Knowledge of mixed methods approaches to data collection and analysis, including Community-Based Participatory Action Research;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in culturally relevant and responsive information gathering approaches
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with Indigenous employment and training services providers and communities;
  • Strong understanding of Métis and other Indigenous culture, history and regional service location boundaries .

Preference will be given to Indigenous Firms.

 

  1. COMPENSATION

Terms and timelines for payment will be specified in the finalized retainer and contract for services.

  1. PROPOSAL RESPONSE GUIDELINES

To ensure a proposal is considered for evaluation it must include all the information requested and be presented in the order described below:

4.1 Cover Letter

The cover letter must:

  • Clearly reference the project title and number of the RFP;
  • Be dated and signed by a person authorized to negotiate, make commitments, and provide any clarifications with respect to the proposal on behalf of the bidding contractor;
  • Include a statement indicating your understanding of the proposed services and requirements;
  • Highlight relevant qualifications experience;
  • Indicate the capacity to provide the services.

4.2 The Proposal – Qualifications and Experience

The proposal must outline and include the following:

  • Experience and knowledge in generally working with Métis, First Nation or Inuit governments or Indigenous organizations;
  • Applicant knowledge of Indigenous employment and training programming located within the ESDC economic regions of Ontario;
  • Knowledge of mixed methods approaches to data collection and analysis, including Community-Based Participatory Action Research;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in culturally relevant and responsive information gathering approaches
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with Indigenous employment and training services providers and communities;
  • Strong understanding of Métis and other Indigenous culture, history and regional service location boundaries .

4.3 References

  • Please supply three relevant references including the name, title, telephone and email address of the contact person.

4.4 Innovation

  • Provide details of any possible innovative ideas, suggestions or opportunities for improvement that would enhance the project, process or required outcomes indicated within this RFP.

4.5 Costs and Charges

  • Provide the hourly rates for the team proposed to conduct the work.
  1. SUBMISSION

As a potential supplier of these professional services, you are invited to submit a proposal in accordance with the terms and conditions detailed in this document to the following contact:

66 Slater Street, Unit 1100
Ottawa, ON
K1N 9G4

Email: rachelleb@metisnation.org

Closing date and time: June 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm– via email. Proposals received after the closing time will not be considered.

  1. PROJECT SCHEDULE
  • RFP Release Date: June 7, 2021
  • Closing Date: June 30, 2021
  1. SELECTION PROCESS

Upon closing, all proposals will be reviewed for completeness. Only completed proposals will be brought forward for further consideration and final decision.

Eligible proposals will be evaluated based on the response guidelines in Section 4 as follows

  1. 8. PERIOD OF AGREEMENT

The term of any contractual agreement will be from the date of the award to be defined in the retainer agreement.

  1. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

9.1. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) will not be responsible for any costs incurred by a contractor in preparing and submitting proposals and/or attending interviews. The MNO accepts no liability of any kind to a contractor prior to the signing of a contract.

9.2. Submission of a proposal shall not obligate, nor should it be construed as obligating the MNO to accept any such proposal or to proceed further with the project. The MNO may, in their sole discretion, elect not to proceed with the project, and may elect not to accept any or all proposals for any reason.

9.3. Contractors may amend or withdraw their proposals prior to the closing date and time specified in the RFP by way of written notice.

9.4. The contractor must identify any information in its proposal that it considers to be confidential or proprietary.

9.5. The contractor will be expected to comply with the MNO’s conflict of interest policy, and must identify any areas of potential conflict in its work with other clients and will be expected to work in the best interests of the Métis Nation of Ontario.

9.6 All proposals and accompanying documentation received under this competition will become the property of the MNO and will not be returned.

9.7. The MNO reserves the right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all proposals.

9.8. The MNO reserves the right to cancel and/or re-issue this RFP at any time for any reason without penalty.

9.9. The contractor’s proposal shall form part of the contractual agreement by attachment and will be incorporated by reference.