The information contained in this notice is a brief description of the requirement and is for information purposes only. Bidders must refer to the complete RFP document for a full description of the requirement and the full bid instructions.
Background
EC requires the professional services of a public opinion research supplier to conduct its next National Electors Study for the 45th federal general election (NES GE45), which consists of a national longitudinal survey of electors conducted in the period before and after election day.
The SOW takes into account that the date of the 45th Canadian federal election (GE45) is fixed for October 20, 2025; however, the Contractor should be aware that an election may be called on any earlier date. In the event of an earlier election, EC will work with the Contractor to adjust the timeframe and achieve the objectives of the project.
Requirement
Project Background
The NES is a public opinion research project that EC has conducted for every GE since 2019 for GE43. The key feature of the NES is a longitudinal, multi-mode survey conducted in waves before and after election day. For GE44, this took the form of two survey waves: a web survey conducted as an RCS throughout the election period; and a mixed-mode (telephone and web) post-election survey. NES GE45 will be based on a similar design as GE44.
As GE45 may be held on any date before or until October 20, 2025, EC requires the election period survey for NES GE45 to be prepared in advance so that fieldwork can begin as soon as possible regardless of when the election may be called.
By law, a federal election period can last a minimum of 37 and a maximum of 51 days from the issue of the writs until election day. EC’s convention is to count down the number of days starting from the day the writs are issued until election day, so that, in a minimum-length election period, the day the writ is issued is Day 36 and election day is Day 0. Election day is normally a Monday. The calendar for a standard election period is available on the Elections Canada website: The 36-Day Election Calendar – Elections Canada.
Study Objectives
This study seeks to gather information regarding electors’ opinions and attitudes toward various election-related issues, their knowledge and use of the agency’s services and programs, their recall and evaluation of the Voter Information Campaign and experience with the electoral process during GE45. The study should produce reliable information on electors, including subpopulations of interest to EC.
The results of the study will assist in the evaluation of EC’s programs and services to the electorate and inform the CEO’s reports to Parliament; notably by allowing for comparisons over time during and after the election, or with previous federal general elections. It will also identify areas for improvement in EC’s various products, services and information campaign.
The study will also evaluate the GE45 Voter Information Campaign, using standard ACET questions. It will contribute to establishing a list of strengths and weaknesses of the GE45 campaign, and to determine how the lessons learned can be applied to subsequent GEs to improve communications with electors.
The study will provide a better understanding of the access and motivational barriers to voting among several subpopulations.
Finally, the study will also allow for research into electors’ attitudes and behaviours, and their opinions on various election-related policy issues.
Period of the Contract
The Contract period will be from the Effective Date of the Contract until September 30, 2026 (the “Initial Term”).
Submission of Proposals
This RFP allows bidders to use the epost Connect service provided by Canada Post Corporation to transmit their proposals electronically. For further information, bidders must refer to Part 2 – Bidder Instructions, and Part 3 – Proposal Preparation Instructions of the RFP document.
Proposals are to be addressed to the attention of the Contracting Authority and delivered, sealed, to the Proposal Receiving Unit on or before the bid closing date and time indicated on the front page of the RFP.
For sending packages by courier or for dropping off, please note that the Proposal Receiving Unit at the Business Centre is open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00 (Gatineau, Quebec time).
Bids sent via email or facsimile will not be accepted.
Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.
Elections Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.
Selection Methodology
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Highest combined rating of technical merity and price
Enquiries
All enquiries and other communication with Elections Canada personnel are to be directed ONLY to the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will be the bidder’s primary contact. Bidders who contact anyone other than the Contracting Authority may be disqualified.
All enquiries must be submitted in writing to p•••••••@••••••••.ca no later than the deadline indicated in the RFP. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.
Interested parties wishing to obtain the solicitation documents for this RFP must do so through https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tenders. The documents downloaded through this site take precedence over any copies that may also be made available.
Further information about Elections Canada may be obtained at elections.ca.
Debriefings
Once the successful bidder has been announced, bidders may request a debriefing on the results of the RFP process. Bidders should make the request to the Contracting Authority as per the terms of the RFP. The debriefing may be in writing, by telephone or in person.
