Basic Information

Reference Number

0000241758

Issuing Organization

Labour Market Information Council

Owner Organization

Labour Market Information Council

Solicitation Type

RFP - Request for Proposal - Consecutive Negotiations (Informal)

Solicitation Number

004

Title

Request for Proposals: Business Plan for the LMIC Data Hub

Source ID

PP.CO.Ont..1090981.C108651

Agreement Type

None

Details

Location

Canada, All of Canada, All of Canada

Purchase Type

One Time Only- Delivery Date:2023/05/19

Description

Request for Proposals
Business plan for the LMIC Data Hub

Release Date: 21 February 2023
Closing Date: 10 March 2023

Table of contents

1. Introduction and project summary. 2
3. Proposal submission. 4
4. Inquiries. 4
5. Statement of work. 4
5.1    Project deliverables and services. 5
5.2    Estimated value. 5
6. Proposal structure and evaluation. 5
8. Conflict of interest 7
9. Terms and conditions. 7
10. Appendix B – Definitions. 10



1. Introduction and project summary
a) Introduction to LMIC

The Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) is an independent, non-profit organization created in 2017 by the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) to provide people in Canada with timely, reliable and relevant labour market information.

LMIC is led by an Executive Director supported by a five-person management team. Strategic direction and operational oversight are provided by a 15-person Board of Directors made up of senior representatives from the 13 F/P/T jurisdictions, ESDC and Statistics Canada.

LMIC’s works is also supported by and through formal and informal expert advisory relations and networks. These include the National Stakeholder Advisory Panel, the Career Development Stakeholder Committee and the Labour Market Information Experts Panel.

Core funding for LMIC is provided through annual contributions from ESDC (as the lead Government of Canada representative), and the FLMM Secretariat as the operating consortium of provincial and territorial governments.

b) Project Summary

In 2020, LMIC and the Future Skills Centre (FSC) launched a partnership to develop the LMIC Data Hub to provide easy access to practical labour market information (LMI) across the pan-Canadian ecosystem.

At its current stage of development, the Data Hub draws labour market data from open public sources (e.g., ESDC’s COPS employment forecasts), public-but-difficult-to-access sources (e.g., custom tabulations from Statistics Canada), and private sector sources (e.g., online job postings). The collection and processing of these various data sources is done in an automated manner, ultimately exposing the structured information in the form of API end points.

The Data Hub is neither a website nor a dashboard, but rather a system of data pipelines integrating up-to-date, high-quality LMI for front-end data applications of various organizations (e.g., dashboards, career planning tools, websites, mobile apps, PDF reports, etc.).

At a conceptual level, the Data Hub can be viewed as a platform for LMI innovation. It stands on its own as a delivery platform for specific kinds of LMI. It is also a proof of concept for more robust and innovative production and delivery of labour market analytics that draw on a variety of empirical data sources.

The absence of a product development plan and roadmap extending beyond the current project phase — ending September 2023 — as well as the absence of a sustainability business plan make defining the role of the Data Hub in Canada’s LMI ecosystem over the medium and longer-term a work in progress.

Although product development processes differ by sector, conceptually, these can be broken down into seven stages: ideation, research, planning, prototyping, sourcing, costing, and commercialization. With respect to the LMIC Data Hub, each element of the process iare in different stages of development, with respect to both short term plans and medium/long term roadmap. In the case of planning, costing and commercialization, work on these elements has not yet begun.

With all key technical development milestones completed, or on track to be completed, and with partner funding for the project available to the end of Q2 2023, LMIC has paused non-technical development work to ensure project funds and other resources are in optimal alignment with a comprehensive future business plan strategy.

To that end, LMIC is now seeking a qualified vendor to develop a business sustainability plan to guide the next phase in the project’s evolution and provide a decision framework for the mid/long term product roadmap.

c) Project Timeline
Because current Data Hub funding is slated to expire at the end of September, timely completion of this project is a priority. This results in compressed timelines for every phase of this project and interested bidders must consider and be responsive to these timelines in developing their proposal.
The project timelines are as follows:

Week of March 13 Agreement signed with selected vendor
Week of March 20 Project kickoff
Week of April 24 Draft business plan submitted to LMIC for comment
Week of May 15 Final business plan submitted to LMIC

2. RFP schedule of events
The following is a schedule of events for this RFP and subsequent project dates for milestones after the closing date are provided as estimates only. Every effort will be made to meet these dates. However, business needs may change timelines. Where dates change, reasonable notice of those changes will be provided to suppliers.

RFP closing date and time March 10, 2023 at 23:59 PST
Evaluation of RFP applications March 13, 2023
Interviews/presentations from shortlisted vendors March 15-16, 2023
Selected vendor notified March 16, 2023
Contract sign off March 17, 2024

3. Proposal submission
To be eligible for consideration, LMIC must receive the proposal, signed by a legal representative, at the following address: info@lmic-cimt.ca with the subject line: “RFP Response - LMIC Data Hub Business Plan – [Vendor name]”.

Proposals submitted to any e-mail address or mailing address other than that stated herein will not be considered. LMIC will not assume responsibility for misdirected tenders. Proposals must be submitted before the specified tender closing date and time. LMIC will not assume responsibility for tenders received after the tender closing date and time.

Proposals received after the deadline specified above will not be considered. LMIC reserves the right to extend the deadline for the submission of proposals.

Suppliers who fail to raise issues and questions they may have during the RFP period do so at their own risk. Suppliers must recognize that certain proprietary information may not be released to anyone other than the successful supplier. LMIC assumes no responsibility or liability arising from information obtained by a means other than those prescribed in this RFP.

4. Inquiries
Inquiries related to this Request for Proposal are to be directed, no later than March 8, 2023, 23:59 Pacific Standard Time as indicated above, to: Massimo Bergamini, Executive Director at massimo.bergamini@lmic-cimt.ca

Bid-related enquiries of a substantive nature as well as any response to them provided by LMIC will be shared on the MERX bid page. Enquiries and replies posted on MERX will not include any vendor identifier.

5. Statement of work
LMIC is seeking a qualified vendor to develop a business sustainability plan for the LMIC Data Hub.

The business sustainability plan will Include:

Market analysis that informs demand, cost, product development, product refinement and commercialization options and pathways;
Fully costed product development and commercialization options and pathways.

In conducting this work, the successful vendor will:

Expand on recent research regarding the changing nature of labour market analytics.
Identify and market test a limited number of short-term product development and mid- to long-term roadmap options to inform both technical and business planning priorities.
Develop market demand projections based on the product development options referenced above, and reflect these in Data Hub operating cost estimates.
Ensure that all recommended options are reflective of, and responsive to, the governance, mission and operational realities of LMIC and its project funding partner.
Identify a variety of realistic potential funding/partnership models for the Data Hub, short-term and over the course of the roadmap.

As part of the development of business sustainability options referenced above, include consideration of potential handover scenarios whereby the Data Hub at its current or, alternatively, future stages of development, would be turned over to a third-party operator.

1. Project deliverables and services

The primary product deliverable will be an in-depth report meeting the above-mentioned criteria, delivered to LMIC in both English and French languages as separate documents. These should be submitted to LMIC in the form of a professional report, in PDF format, of the highest quality written and design standards.

Initial drafts covering the framing and scope of the report for feedback and guidance from LMIC staff and advisory committee members can be shared in English only. The product will be considered complete when the final report is delivered to and accepted by LMIC.

1. Estimated value

LMIC has identified a budget range of between $ 75,000 and $100,000 for this project. While value-for-money will be a selection criterion, proposals will not be disqualified if they are above or below this range.
6. Proposal structure and evaluation
The submission of the proposal should include three main elements:

Element 1: A detailed description (including timelines) of how the Statement of Work will be accomplished. Identify key/complex issues to be addressed.
Element 2: A description of how the vendor’s previous experience relates to the proposed work.
Element 3: A detailed project cost estimate.
Element 4: Description of the vendor’s EDI policies and practices and how these may be reflected in management of the project.

Each of these elements should be clearly identifiable to facilitate evaluation of the proposal.

Element 1 should include descriptions of:

A detailed description of your understanding of the project objectives and scope of work
A detailed description of your project methodology including how you plan to use LMIC advisory resources (including staff)[1]
A project timeline or critical path that accords with the timeline in the table in Section 1

Element 2 should include descriptions of:

Your team’s level of expertise and/or experience in previous relevant projects, and how that experience and/or expertise will inform this project.
Demonstrated knowledge in market research and business plan development.
Names, roles and resumes of individuals who will be leading this project.

Element 3 should include:

Your proposed cost estimate broken down to describe which elements and features the pricing for the project encompasses. It may also be broken down by project phases, and specifically, the cost of these elements per phase. Pricing should include all taxes and projected project expenses.

Element 4 should include descriptions of:

Your organization’s understanding of EDI and of the policies and practices that support it.

Each proposal will be evaluated solely on its content. In submitting a proposal, the supplier agrees that the decision of LMIC will be final. Suppliers acknowledge and understand that LMIC is not obligated to seek clarifications concerning proposals. Decisions to request clarifications or to conduct, if needed, interviews/presentations are at the sole discretion of LMIC.

7. Contractual agreement

LMIC will negotiate a contractual agreement with the preferred supplier. If LMIC is unable to negotiate an acceptable contractual agreement with the preferred supplier, then the second preferred supplier may be selected, and a formal written contractual agreement will be developed. In any case, LMIC, at any time and without liability, may withdraw from negotiations with any potential supplier.

8. Conflict of interest
Suppliers are to fully disclose, in writing, any circumstances of actual or potential conflicts of interest, as well as that which could be perceived as conflicts of interest, to LMIC on or before the closing date of the RFP. LMIC will review all disclosures made by suppliers under this provision and take such steps as it, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to address potential conflicts, including but not limited to requiring the supplier to address and remedy the conflict of interest to the satisfaction of LMIC, or otherwise disqualifying the supplier from further participation.

9. Terms and conditions

1. LMIC will not be responsible for any costs incurred by a supplier in preparing and submitting proposals and/or attending interviews\presentations. LMIC accepts no liability of any kind to a supplier unless, and until, its proposal is accepted, and a formal agreement is negotiated.

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

1. The working languages of LMIC are English and French and proposals to this Request for Proposal can therefore be in either of these languages.

1. At all times, the supplier has the responsibility to notify LMIC, in writing, of any ambiguity, divergence, error, omission, oversight or contradiction contained within the RFP document as it is discovered.

1. LMIC assumes no responsibility or liability arising from information obtained in a means other than those prescribed in this RFP.

1. Suppliers may amend or withdraw their submissions prior to the closing date and time specified in the RFP by way of email notification to LMIC. After the closing date and time, proposals may be irrevocable at the discretion of LMIC.

1. Proposals submitted shall be final and may not be altered by subsequent offerings, discussions, or commitments unless the supplier is requested to do so by LMIC.

1. The confidentiality of the Supplier’s proposal will be maintained by LMIC, except as otherwise required by law or by order of a court or tribunal. Suppliers are advised that their proposals will, as necessary, be disclosed on a confidential basis, to LMIC advisers retained for the purpose of evaluating or participating in the evaluation of their proposals. If a supplier has any questions about the collection and use of personal information pursuant to this RFP, questions are to be submitted to the Inquiries Contact.

1. There will not be a public opening. All proposals and accompanying documentation received under this competition will become the property of LMIC and will not be returned.

1. LMIC may, at its discretion, make certain changes and exceptions to the terms and conditions outlined in this document.

1. LMIC has reserved the right to waive minor non-compliance by a supplier with the requirements of the RFP. This will allow LMIC to consider and possibly accept any proposal which is advantageous to it even though the proposal may be non-compliant in some minor respect.

1. LMIC reserves the right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all proposals.

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

1. Prices quoted are to be held firm for a minimum of 120 days following the RFP closing date and shall remain in effect through the duration of the agreement.

1. LMIC shall, at the request of a supplier who responded to this RFP, conduct a debriefing after the awarding of the agreement, to any suppliers, for the purpose of providing suppliers with feedback on their proposal. All requests must be made in writing to the Inquiries Contact and must be made within thirty (30) days of notification of award. Only suppliers that submitted a proposal to the competitive procurement process may request a debriefing.

1. The supplier’s proposal may form part of the contractual agreement by attachment and may be incorporated by reference. Claims made in the proposal may constitute contractual warranties. Any provision in the proposal may be included in the contractual agreement as direct provision thereof.

1. Governing Law – This Request for Proposal is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario.

1. LMIC reserves the right to eliminate mandatory requirements unmet by all bidders/proposers.

10. Appendix B – Definitions

Throughout this RFP, the following definitions apply:

“Agreement” means the written contract between the preferred supplier and LMIC to provide the services contemplated by this RFP.

“Client” (referring to LMIC) means the Office or Secretariat of the Labour Market Information Council.

"Conflict of Interest" includes any situation or circumstance where, in relation to a LMIC procurement competition, a participating vendor has an unfair advantage, a perception of an unfair advantage or engages in conduct, directly or indirectly, that may give it an unfair advantage, including:

having, or having access to, information in the preparation of its proposal that is not available to other vendors, but such does not include information a vendor may have obtained in the past performance of a contract with LMIC that is not related to the creation, implementation or evaluation of this or a related procurement;
communicating with any person with a view to influencing preferred treatment in the procurement competition (including but not limited to the lobbying of decision makers involved in the procurement competition); or
engaging in conduct that compromises, or could be seen to compromise, the integrity of the open and competitive procurement competition or renders that competition non- competitive, less competitive, or unfair.

“Desirable” “should” means requirements that may have a degree of importance to be objectives of this RFP and may be rated.

“Entity” refers to LMIC for administrative purposes.

“Evaluation Team” means the individuals who will evaluate the proposals on behalf of LMIC.

“Labour market information” or “LMI” is knowledge, facts, data and relevant institutional information on the supply and demand of labour, including economic and labour market trends, education and skill requirements, wage rates, program results and outcomes, etc.

“Labour Market Information Council” or “LMIC” is a federal non-profit corporation with a Board of Directors consisting of FPT government officials and an office located in Ottawa, ON. As a coordinating body, LMIC will help to ensure better value from existing LMI investments across Canada and foster the exploration of new opportunities for collaboration among governments and with stakeholders.

“Mandatory” “shall”, “must”, and “will” means requirements that are imperative and must be met in order for the proposal to receive consideration.

“Non-Compliant” means the proposal fails to provide sufficient detail necessary to evaluate the proposal against the mandatory requirements outlined in this RFP document.

“Optional” “may” “might” or “could” means requirements that might be rated.

“Preferred Supplier” means the supplier who has been selected through the competition, but with whom a contractual agreement has not been signed.

“Procurement Competition” means the entity receiving bids from suppliers or vendors and evaluating those bids before choosing a supplier.

“Proposal” means the document submitted by a supplier in response to the RFP.

“Rated” “should” means requirements that will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria and assigned points.

“RFP” means Request for Proposal.

“Services” means the functions, duties, tasks and responsibilities to be provided by the supplier as described in this RFP.

“Successful Supplier” means the organization responding to this RFP who is determined to be successful in this competition and has signed a contractual agreement.

“Supplier” means an individual or a company that submits, or intends to submit, a proposal in response to this Request for Proposal.

[1] Given the complex nature of the labour market information ecosystem LMIC will establish a small expert advisory committee to assist the successful vendor

Dates

Publication

2023/02/21 09:04:01 AM PST

Bid Intent

Not Available

Question Acceptance DeadlineA - Latest Amendment

2023/03/10 12:00:00 PM PST

Questions are submitted online

Closing DateA - Latest Amendment

2023/03/10 11:59:00 PM PST

Contact Information

Massimo Bergamini

massimo.bergamini@lmic-cimt.ca

LMIC

info@lmic-cimt.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

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