Basic Information

Reference Number

0000239012

Issuing Organization

Accessibilty Standards Canada

Owner Organization

Accessibility Standard Canada

Solicitation Type

ACAN - Advance Contract Award Notice (Formal)

Solicitation Number

P2300051

Title

Seed Document for ASC’s Existing Buildings and Facilities Standard.

Source ID

FD.DP.Ont..1100447.C109280

Agreement Type

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Details

Location

Canada, Ontario, National Capital Region

Delivery Point

Gatineau

Purchase Type

One Time Only- Delivery Date:2023/06/30

Description

STATEMENT OF WORK

1. Title

Seed Document for ASC’s Existing Buildings and Facilities Standard.

1. Background

Accessibility Standards Canada is a federal organization established on July 11, 2019 by An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada (referred to by its short title, the Accessible Canada Act). It is a Departmental Corporation. In the Act, Accessibility Standards Canada is referred to by its legal title, the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization.
Accessibility Standards Canada’s mandate is to contribute to the realization of a Canada without barriers, on or before January 1, 2040, through the development and revision of accessibility standards in the following priority areas: employment; built environment; information and communication technologies (ICT); communication (other than ICT); design and delivery of services and programs; transportation; and procurement of goods, services and facilities. Among other things, this includes:

The development and revision of accessibility standards;
The recommendation of accessibility standards to the Minister;
The provision of information, products and services in relation to the accessibility standards that it has developed or revised;
The promotion, support and conduct of research into the identification and removal of barriers and the prevention of new barriers; and
The dissemination of information, including information about best practices, in relation to the identification and removal of barriers and the prevention of new barriers.

Accessibility Standards Canada has established technical committees to develop model standards for accessibility including ones related to the built environment, outdoor spaces, plain language, emergency egress, wayfinding and signage, etc. Other technical committees/sub-committees will be established in the future to develop accessibility standards including an existing buildings and facilities standard.
3. Objectives
The objective of this project is to develop a seed document that will facilitate the technical committee with the preparation of an existing buildings and facilities standard.
4. Scope
This statement of work aims to obtain professional services to conduct the work described in the Deliverables section. More specifically, the Contractor will develop a seed document that will be used by the technical committee for an existing building and facilities standard. It is anticipated that this technical committee will begin its work on the standard in 2023/24.
The seed document will provide best practices and recommendations for an existing buildings and facilities standard as it relates to the following areas:

Application of accessibility provisions to existing buildings and facilities based on a triggering event (e.g., there is an alteration or addition event or change of use)
Application of accessibility provisions to existing buildings and facilities based on removing barriers when readily achievable to do so, even with no triggering event.

The Contractor will develop the seed document primarily based on concepts found in the following documents;

International Existing Building Code; and
ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

Accessibility Standards Canada currently has standards in development relating to existing buildings and facilities. The Contractor must review, and reference in the seed document, the ASC draft standards and / or seed documents that address applicable areas of existing buildings and facilities. This includes ASC draft standards and / or seed documents in:

Outdoor Spaces; and
The Built Environment.

The seed document will build on any existing environmental scans/literature reviews on existing buildings and facilities. The seed document will leverage any current research, challenges, accessibility barriers, opportunities, and best practices related to existing buildings and facilities, as well as leveraging research regarding impacts on persons with disabilities, accessibility, and inclusion. Further, the seed document will identify results and recommendations from research of existing buildings and facilities including relevant concepts, technologies, solutions, new and emerging trends, and all relevant international and provincial codes/standards (the contractor will identify these relevant codes/standards as part of the scope of the project). The research and recommendations provided in the form of a seed document will facilitate the technical committee/sub committee with the development of an existing buildings and facilities standard that will meet the obligations and intent of the Accessible Canada Act.
5. Qualifications
The Contractor must meet the following knowledge, experience and expertise requirements:

Expertise in accessibility compliance (minimum of 15 years experience); Depth and breadth of technical expertise related to accessibility and the built environment including recent and significant work/research related to international/provincial/territorial standards, National Building Code, model codes and standard development for accessibility and implementing Codes;
Expertise in developing accessibility work plans for a wide range of public and private occupancies (minimum of 15 years experience);
Expertise in working with accessibility laws, codes and standards at the local and federal level (United States and / or Canada);
Recent and significant experience making recommendations as it relates to accessibility/disability policy; and
Experience working on projects that consider a broad spectrum of persons with disabilities and their respective needs.

6. Approach
The approach to the development of a seed document will include:
1. Conducting research for the development of the seed document including:

Collecting and reviewing technical specifications and information across standards, regulations, codes, guidelines, policies, academic papers, technical reports, grey literature, environmental scans and other sources to identify information on what exists concerning existing buildings and facilities. The Contractor’s review must include the following documents;

International Existing Building Code;
ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities;
ASC Outdoor Spaces draft standard and / or seed document; and
ASC Built Environment draft standard and / or seed document.

Analysing and comparing all reviewed documents to determine the best practices to include in the seed document and provide justifications for choices. Note: Comparing documents is usually done through a comparative analysis as outlined in the methodology provided by the Project Authority, however the methodology also provides alternatives for instances where a comparative analysis is not feasible.
Identifying any gaps or unaddressed areas in existing data to include in the seed document; and
Jurisdictions and types of documents that must be reviewed, as per the methodology provided by the Project Authority and the Reference section.

1. Developing the framework for the seed document (i.e. identifying the sources that will be used to develop the seed document, and completing the table of contents with the headings and sub-headings to identify the elements that will be addressed in the seed document);
2. Developing the initial draft seed document; and
3. Developing the final seed document, which will be used by the technical committee to guide their work on the existing buildings and facilities standard. This will include:
Providing recommendations, and best practices for the technical requirements of the standard;

Evaluating the feasibility of recommended/best practice technical requirements, taking into account opportunities, constraints, overlaps, potential conflicts and associated trade-offs;
Providing recommendations to minimize complexity and simplify language of standard; and
Identify measurable performance objectives where information is available.

7. Work Plan
The following identifies the work plan:

Project initiation meeting with Project Authority to review approach, methodology and timelines. Subsequent meetings with Project Authority to provide updates on research/progress of seed document.
Conduct initial work/research consistent with the approach including:

Review of national/international codes/standards, regulations, codes, guidelines, policies, academic papers, technical reports, grey literature, environmental scans and other sources to find accessibility requirements. Identify best practices and provide justifications. Review with accessibility/disability/inclusion lens.

As part of this research, the Contractor must also include all requirements and items listed in the Approach section and the Reference section. This includes a review of the following draft standards:

Outdoor Spaces; and
The Built Environment.

Initial research must be consistent with the methodology identifying the jurisdictions and types of documents that must be reviewed. The methodology will be provided by the Project Authority.

Prepare the framework for the seed document (i.e. identifying the sources that will be used to develop the seed document, and completing the table of contents with the headings and sub-headings to identify the elements that will be addressed in the seed document).
Complete the draft seed document in format/template and style provided by Project Authority. The draft seed document must be consistent with the methodology elements/requirements, and is to be sent to Accessibility Standards Canada for review and comment.
Complete the final seed document addressing any comments provided by Accessibility Standards Canada.

8. Constraints
In preparing and completing the contents of the contract, the Contractor is responsible for abiding by and meeting the obligations of relevant laws, policies, directives, etc., which include but are not limited to:

Deliverables are considered complete only after they have been accepted and approved by the Project Authority;
the Financial Administration Act;
the Public Service Employment Act;
the Accessible Canada Act; and
Treasury Board Policies and Directives.

9. Documentation Provided by Project Authority
The Project Authority will endeavor to provide the Contractor with the following:

Relevant internal/external documentation where applicable, including;
1. ASC draft standards and / or seed documents in:

Outdoor Spaces; and
The Built Environment.

Note: The documents referred to in this subsection will be provided to the Contractor at the time the contract is signed.

Provision of timely review, feedback on, and approval of deliverables.

10. Deliverables, Schedule and Milestones
Deliverables:
The deliverable for this project will be a final seed document that can be used by a technical committee as guidance for an existing buildings and facilities standard.
All deliverables must be provided in English. The Project Authority will be responsible for French translation and alternate formats of the final seed document.
All deliverables must, at a minimum, be submitted in draft form at least five (5) days, or such time as agreed between the Contractor and Project Authority, before the delivery date to allow input by the Project Authority.
All services provided by the Contractor under the contract must, at the time of acceptance, be free from defects in workmanship and conform to the requirements of the contract. Failure to correct changes required by the Project Authority must be corrected by the Contractor at no cost to the Government of Canada.
The Contractor must provide electronic copies of deliverables.

DeliverableDescriptionDelivery DatePayment
1.0 Initiation Meeting Meet with Project Authority to confirm the project and process requirements as well as the timeframes for the deliverables.Late January 2023

80%

2.0
Submit draft seed documentSubmit a draft seed document.

By April 14, 2023
3.0
ASC Comment Period
(this includes Contractor addressing/implementing ASC comments) The Project Authority will provide feedback on the draft seed document which the Contractor must address and implement.By May 19, 202310%
4.0
Submit final seed documentThe Contractor must submit a final seed document. By June 30, 202310%
11. Communication
The Contractor will be expected to communicate regularly with the Project Authority throughout the execution of the project. The Contractor will meet with the Project Authority on a regular basis (e.g. bi-monthly) to check in on the progress and to provide updates on research findings. The meetings are expected to be online. In addition to the regular meetings, there will be a presentation meeting where the Contractor will present the draft seed document to the Project Authority.
The Contractor must provide the Project Authority with regular updates and advise should there be any delays including how the Contractor will work around/adjust for these delays.
12. Work Location
The Contractor will be expected to conduct the work at their own facilities.
Additionally the Contractor will be expected to attend all virtual meetings that the Project Authority schedules for the purposes of completing the work outlined in this contract.
Note: Meeting details, such as quantity and duration, are found in the Communications section.
13. Contract Period
At contract signed date expiring June 30, 2023.
14. References

ANNEX B
BASIS OF PAYMENT
1.0 Professional Fees

The Contractor will be paid a fixed, all-inclusive, fee of $125,000 (including applicable taxes) upon project completion and satisfactory completion of tasks and receipt of deliverables within the timelines identified in section 1.0 and as follows:
Milestone CompletionPayment AmountEstimated Date
NOTE: Timelines can only be modified with the approval of the Project AuthorityContract Award
Contract Signed Date
Seed document
Late January 2023 – June 30, 2023
The Contractor must meet with Project Authority to confirm the project and process requirements as well as the timeframes for the deliverables.80%

By late January 2023
The Contractor must submit a draft seed document.By April 14, 2023
The Project Authority will provide feedback on the draft seed document which the Contractor must address and implement.
10%

By May 19, 2023
The Contractor must submit a seed document that can be used by Accessibility Standards Canada to inform the development of its Existing Buildings and Facilities standard.10%By June 30, 2023

Dates

Publication

2023/01/11 11:28:00 AM EST

Bid Intent

Not Available

Question Acceptance Deadline

2023/01/23 12:00:00 AM EST

Questions are submitted online

Closing Date

2023/01/26 02:00:00 PM EST

Contact Information

Jacques Boyer

613-868-0508

jacques.boyer@asc-nac.gc.ca

Bid Submission Process

Bid Submission Type

Electronic Bid Submission

Pricing

In attached document

Bid Documents List

Item Name	Description	Mandatory	Limited to 1 file
Bid Documents	Documents defining the proposal	Yes	No
No entries

Additional Bidding Instructions

Notice
Intention to award contract to pre-identified supplier
Scope
The contractor will produce for Accessibility Standards Canada a Seed Document, which is a draft standard that contains guidance, best practices and recommendations for the development of a standard on Existing Buildings and Facilities.
Estimated Value
The value is estimated at $125,000 CAD, including taxes.
Schedule
The work must be performed from late January 2023 to June 30, 2023.

Expertise Required
Contractor needs significant knowledge, experience and expertise related to:

Expertise in accessibility compliance (minimum of 15 years experience); Depth and breadth of technical expertise related to accessibility and the built environment including recent and significant work/research related to international/provincial/territorial standards, National Building Code, model codes and standard development for accessibility and implementing Codes;
Expertise in developing accessibility work plans for a wide range of public and private occupancies (minimum of 15 years experience);
Expertise in working with accessibility laws, codes and standards, in the United States and / or Canada, at the local and federal level; Significant knowledge, experience and expertise related to the built environment, accessibility, health and safety aspects, combined with national and provincial/territorial Building and Fire Codes and an ability to address and protect the health and safety of persons with a disability.
Recent and significant experience making recommendations as it relates to accessibility/disability policy; and
Experience working on projects that consider a broad spectrum of persons with disabilities and their respective needs.

Pre-identified Supplier
Jensen Hughes
11 Holland Avenue, Suite 415
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 4S1
Suppliers’ right to submit a statement of capabilities:
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available within the timeframe to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: Jacques Boyer

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