2B0KB-005182/A - RFI/LOI - Information Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Testing (2B0KB-005182/A)

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements:

RFI/LOI - Information Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Testing

RFI / LOI: 2B0BK-005182/A

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ACCESSIBILITY TESTING SERVICES

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a response Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Contracting Authority: Gauthier, Julie Telephone No. - (873) 354-4846

Requirement

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ACCESSIBILITY TESTING SERVICES FOR SHARED SERVICES CANADA

Overview

Recent changes to legislation and policies have created the necessity to ensure both the procurement of accessible Information Communication Technology (ICT) goods and services, and the analysis of existing systems to determine if there are any accessibility gaps.

The Government of Canada (GC) has an existing and growing requirement for suppliers to conduct performance testing of newly developed and deployed computer technology systems against GC current and future accessibility requirements. In order to meet this requirement, the GC is considering the establishment of standing offer and/or Supply arrangement to simplify the procurement process to provide specialized testing services to assess conformance with ICT accessibility standards including WCAG 2.1 and EN 301 549 V2.1.2 (2018). This RFI is the first step in understanding the Industry’s capacity and readiness to meet GC’s accessibility testing requirements.

SSC is facilitating this RFI on behalf of other interested GC departments who share in the requirement for accessibility testing.

Purpose of this Request for Information

This Request for Information (RFI) is a consultation initiative that seeks feedback from Industry on Accessibility Testing requirements.

The Information collected may be used to refine the procurement strategy, project structure and to define the requirements. It may also be used to define subsequent Request for Standing Offers (RFSO) or Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) for Accessibility Testing Solution for the Government of Canada.

Nature and Format of Responses Requested

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied.

Respondents are also invited to provide comments regarding the content, format and/or organization of any draft documents included in this RFI. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses. Enquiries and Submission of Responses

Interested suppliers must note that all communication pertaining to the subject matter of this RFI shall exclusively be directed to the PWGSC Contracting Authority. Interested suppliers must refrain from communicating directly with SSC stakeholders or with other Government of Canada representatives, regarding any aspect of this procurement process, including the subject matter described herein. Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers.

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. Responses should be submitted via email directly to Julie Gauthier (PWGSC Contracting Authority) at julie.gauthier2@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

NOTE:

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract. As a result, potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list. Therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFI

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.