1.0 PURPOSE The purpose of this Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) is to establish a Standing Offer Agreement for the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) for professional services in the areas of: program evaluation, performance measurement and results, and special studies/reviews. The services will be required commencing from the date of the contract award for an initial period of three years with two possible one year extensions for a total of five years. 2.0 TITLE OF PROJECT Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Special Review Services for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. 3.0 BACKGROUND In the Government of Canada, evaluation is the systematic collection and analysis of evidence on the outcomes of programs to make judgments about their relevance, performance and alternative ways to deliver them or to achieve the same results. Evaluation work at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is conducted in accordance with the policies, principles, guidelines, standards and directives on evaluation issued by the Treasury Board of Canada and Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS). The ISED Audit and Evaluation Branch, Evaluation Directorate, undertakes program evaluation studies, following a five-year Departmental Evaluation Plan. In addition, the Directorate provides advice and guides programs in the development of their Performance Measurement Strategies (PM Strategies) and Performance Information Profiles (PIPs) and their associated elements. From time to time, the Directorate also conducts special studies/reviews at the request of senior management. In addition to in-house resources, the Directorate relies on the expertise provided by outside contractors. The Directorate may contract out complete program evaluations, reviews and performance measurement activities, or any component of these studies (e.g. data strategies, surveys, literature reviews, case studies, focus groups, cost-benefit analysis). 4.0 PROJECT REQUIREMENTS The requirement is for professional services to provide a range of services related to evaluation and performance measurement. These services will be primarily for the Audit and Evaluation Branch of ISED, although other sectors, branches or directorates within ISED may also use the resulting Standing Offer Agreement for the development of PM Strategies, PIPs or other related performance, results and evaluation activities.
