A RESEARCH STUDY EXAMINING THE BARRIERS AND ENABLERS TO ADDRESSING THE PRIMARY, REPRODUCTIVE, AND SEXUAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF WOMEN AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED CRIMINALIZATION AND ARE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITYBackground Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) works to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders, including women, in Canada’s economic, social, and political life. WAGE works to uphold its mandate by providing expert advice and strategic support to federal departments and agencies in the development of policies, programs and legislation related to gender equality, including gaps in health research and care. Research at WAGE aims to support evidence-based decision-making by identifying drivers of and obstacles to gender equality. It also aims to improve the availability, accessibility and visibility of data, statistics and analysis related to key gender equality issues to support Gender Based Analysis Plus as well as to facilitate the coordinated measurement of progress towards gender equality.Purpose of this Request for InformationThe purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify suppliers that have the required experience and expertise to conduct a three-year research project that aims to understand and respond to the primary, sexual, and reproductive health needs of women and gender diverse people who have recently experienced criminalization and are living in the community. Knowledge generated by this project supports WAGE’s joint mandate with Health Canada to ensure that all Canadians have access to the sexual and reproductive health services they need by providing key insight into the barriers and enablers of accessing health services for this population.This work requires the supplier to:Have a multi-disciplinary research teamConduct a primary research study examining the barriers and enablers of addressing primary, reproductive, and sexual health needs, as well as the health outcomes after receiving community-based health services, for women and gender diverse people who have recently experienced criminalization and are living in the community.Produce a research report on impacts, lessons learned, and implications for communities of practice.Create and implement a knowledge mobilization strategyPlease review Annex A (Statement of Work) for details pertaining to this requirement. Interested suppliers must submit written responses to the information requested in Annex B (Information Requested from Potential Suppliers).Nature of Request for InformationThis is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract.Potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI must then, not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources on making any commitment to their parties, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. This RFI will not result in the creation of any source list. Responding to this RFI will not preclude any supplier from participating in any future opportunities to bid. To that effect, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI may not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to the matters described in this RFI. This RFI does not reflect a real or implied commitment on the part of WAGE to implement any or all of the application or infrastructure initiatives described herein.Nature and Format of Responses RequestedResponses from potential suppliers to the information requested in this RFI will assist WAGE in identifying potential suppliers for WAGE’s requirement. Respondents are requested to review Annex A, and to submit written responses to the information requested in Annex B.Respondents must explain any assumptions they make in their responses.In addition to providing responses to the information requested in Annex B, respondents may submit comments, concerns, suggestions, and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied or improved upon.Respondents should note that Annex A is a draft document and remains a work in progress. Respondents should not assume that new clauses or requirements will not be added to any related bid solicitation(s) that could ultimately be published by Canada. Nor should respondents assume that any of the clauses or requirements will be deleted or edited.Response CostsThe Government of Canada (Canada) will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.Treatment of ResponsesUse of Responses: Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.Review Team: A review team composed of representatives of WAGE will review the responses. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.Follow-up Activity: Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response. Canada reserves the right to invite any or all respondents to present their submissions to this RFI and/or perform a product/service demonstration.Format of ResponsesCover Page: If the response includes multiple volumes, respondents are requested to indicate on the front cover page of each volume the title of the response, the solicitation number, the volume number and the full legal name of the respondent.Title Page: The first page of each volume of the response, after the cover page, should be the title page, which should contain:The title of the respondent’s response and the volume number;The name and address of the respondent;the name, address and telephone number of the respondent’s contact;the date; andthe RFI number.Numbering System: Respondents are requested to prepare their response using a numbering system corresponding to the one in this RFI. All references to descriptive material, technical manuals and brochures included as part of the response should be referenced accordingly.Number of copies: Respondents are requested to submit one softcopy, in PDF format, of their response.Enquiries Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, respondents with questions regarding this RFI may direct their enquiries via email to: F••••••••@••••••••.••.caSubmissions of ResponsesTime and Place for Submission of Responses: Respondents should send responses electronically via e-mail to the Contracting Authority’s address identified herein by the date specified on the front page of the RFI.Responsibility for Timely Delivery: Each respondent is solely responsible for ensuring its response is delivered on time to the correct location.Identification of Response: Each respondent should ensure that its name and return address, the solicitation number and the closing date appear legibly on the outside of the response.
