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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking an innovative platform/platforms that will provide Canadians with immediate access to relevant, trustworthy, public health information adapted to their specific questions and needs, based on core content from PHAC in areas such as but not limited to immunization and travel health.
Sponsoring Department: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: July 16, 2018
Closing date: October 1, 2018, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell
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Challenge
Problem statement
The Internet has become an important primary source of information for many Canadians, but identifying and accessing accurate and unbiased health information has become increasingly difficult. Providing Canadians with evidence-based advice on how to maintain and improve their health is a key public health priority.
There is a need to develop and pilot an innovative platform that provides Canadians with immediate access (within seconds) to relevant, trustworthy, public health information adapted to their specific question and needs, based on core content available through Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and other Government of Canada websites and sources.
Desired outcomes and considerations
Improved health, safety and well-being of Canadians achieved through increased access to credible, evidence-based, information through Government of Canada websites and/or other mobile technologies.
- The desired innovative, scalable, platform will provide Canadians with immediate interactive access (within seconds) to relevant, trustworthy, unstructured public health information adapted to their specific question and needs, based on core content available through PHAC (and other Government of Canada) websites and sources.
- The technology will be accessible and integrated into the public interface of the PHAC website, and should have interoperability with existing government of Canada online databases and applications.
- The innovation will be measured for accuracy based on the technical content communicated to users, and also measured for ease of use and clarity of communication.
- The innovation should respond to queries in a natural language format with plain language outputs, and redirection to relevant PHAC websites.
- The desired technology will respond to queries in multiple languages including, but not limited to, both official languages English and French.
- A desired outcome is for the technology to have capacity for adaptation over time based on supervised or unsupervised machine learning in order to refine the user experience and better meet the information needs of Canadians.
- The technology must have the ability to automatically accommodate frequent changes to the web content, in some cases on a daily basis.
- Ongoing monitoring and review of the technology performance should be possible via internal reporting functions of the platform.
Background and context
Recent technological advances have fundamentally changed the way complex data is analyzed, interpreted and presented. Novel software platforms, based on natural language processing, have demonstrated an ability to emulate human performance and are increasingly being utilized for speech and text recognition. For example, through the "chat bot" technology, computers are being used to comprehend the structure and meaning of human language, therefore allowing interaction (i.e. question answering) using natural sentences. There is also increased availability of mobile applications that can push technology to users as well as "game-ification" as a means to improve user experiences.
Having been successfully applied in other areas, such as banking, automotive and intelligence industries, it is believed that recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied to directly support PHAC to improve the health of Canadians. Communicating complex public health analyses and vaccine recommendations through an AI platform would represent a truly innovative advance in public health promotion. Provision of evidence-based information and increasing access to resources that promote good health and prevent disease and injury is a common goal for all programs across the organization. In addition, the use of novel technologies has the potential to lower cost and increase precision and productivity, as well as to facilitate advancements in the operation and utilization of existing programs.
The Government of Canada plays an essential role in supporting the public health of Canadians and, more specifically, PHAC is mandated to improve the health of Canadians and reduce health disparities in Canada. To achieve these goals, PHAC provides evidence-based information to a wide range of audiences, from health practitioners through to the general public, on many different health-related issues. However, in an increasingly complex world in which many different factors intersect to affect the health and well-being of Canadians, identifying relevant and credible information is becoming increasingly difficult. As the volume and complexity of information grows, innovative platforms will be required to support Canadians in identifying and accessing reliable, personalized information so to empower them in making informed, evidence-based, decisions about their health based on credible government content.
Maximum value and travel
Maximum contract value
Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.
The maximum funding available for any Phase 1 Contract resulting from this Challenge is $150,000.00 CAD (plus tax) including shipping, travel and living expenses, as applicable.
The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 Contract resulting from this Challenge is $500,000.00 CAD (plus tax) including shipping, travel and living expenses, as applicable. Only eligible businesses that have completed Phase 1 could be considered for Phase 2.
This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding.
Travel
For Phase 1 it is anticipated that two meetings will require the successful bidder(s) to travel to the location identified below:
- Kick-off meeting
130 Colonnade Rd., Ottawa ON - Final Review Meeting
130 Colonnade Rd., Ottawa ON
Eligibility
Solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:
- for profit
- incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
- 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employeesFootnote *
- research and development activities that take place in Canada
- 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in CanadaFootnote *
- 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of workFootnote *
- 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residenceFootnote *
Application guide
All federal departments and agencies that issue ISC challenges, regardless of whether they use a grant or a contract as the financial instrument to support research and development (R&D) in Phases 1 and 2, will assess proposals and bids from small businesses based on standard questions. The online application and bid submission system will contain these standard questions and provide guidance on the length of responses.
Assessment process
Once a complete application or bid is submitted, it will be sent to the department and agency that issued the challenge as well as to the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) for assessment. It is the prerogative of the challenge sponsoring department or agency to decide which businesses will receive funding for Phase 1. All businesses that submit an application or bid will receive feedback.
In advance of accepting applications and bids from eligible businesses, the following is meant to provide guidance to businesses on what could be asked as part of the application and bid submission process. The information below may be used to evaluate proposals and is subject to change.
Innovation
- Please be prepared to identify the starting technology readiness level (TRL) of the solution and the anticipated TRL at the completion of Phase 1. Reminder, Phase 1 is meant for solutions in the TRL range from 1 to 4.
- Be prepared to describe the novelty of your solution and how it advances the state-of-the-art over existing technologies, including competing solutions. Include in your description the scientific and technological basis upon which your solution is proposed.
- Be prepared to identify what are the key scientific and technical risks facing your solution and how those risks would be addressed in Phase 1.
Benefits to Canada
- Please be prepared to provide a brief description of your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem identified by the department or agency that issued the challenge statement.
- Be prepared to describe the benefits to Canada that could result from the successful development of your solution, with a focus on three types of benefits: Economic Benefits, Innovation Benefits, Public Benefits.
Economic Benefits: Consider the proposed solution's potential impact on the growth of your firm but other firms in Canada more broadly. This could include the development of new clusters and supply chains. Consideration should be given to the number of jobs created, number of high-paying jobs, project-related revenue growth, etc.
Innovation Benefits: Consider the proposed solution's expected contribution towards the enhancement or development of new industrial or technological innovation within your firm. For example, potential spillover benefits, creation of intellectual property, impact on productivity of the new technology, etc.
Public Benefits: Consider the proposed solution's expected contribution to the broader Canadian public, including but not limited to inclusive business and hiring practices (e.g., gender balance), investment in skills and training and the environment.
Management and technological capability
- Please be prepared to identify the work plan for Phase 1 including key milestones and activities anticipated, the total time foreseen to complete Phase 1 (not more than 6 months), resources required to complete the project and the key success criteria.
- Be prepared to identify the potential project risks (e.g., financial, project management, human resources, etc.) to the successful development of the solution and how those risks would be managed in Phase 1.
- Be prepared to provide a brief description of the project implementation team including specific members, partners, their roles and responsibilities, and how their expertise is relevant to the project. The team members must include a Project lead.
- Be prepared to describe what your business is doing to encourage greater inclusivity in its innovation activities. One of the objectives of the program is to encourage greater participation of under-represented groups (e.g., women, Indigenous people, youth, persons with disabilities, visible minorities) in the innovation economy.
Financial capability
- Please be prepared to provide a financial proposal for R&D in Phase 1. Be sure to check the details of each challenge posting which will indicate the maximum funding available for Phase 1 as well as any eligible or ineligible costs.
- In addition, please be prepared to provide information on funding received from other orders of government (i.e., federal, provincial and municipal) for the same work being proposed in your application or submission.
- Please be prepared to describe the financial controls and oversight that your business has in place to manage public funds if selected to proceed into Phase 1.
Commercialization
- Please be prepared to describe how you envision the commercialization of your solution and how potential risks or barriers to further commercialization would be mitigated.
Evaluation Criteria
The official source of the Evaluation Criteria for this challenge is the Government Electronic Tendering System (Buy and Sell) (https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-18-00816551 Attachment 1)
In the event of a discrepancy between the information below and the information published on Buy and Sell, Buy and Sell will take precedence.
Question | Mandatory/ Point Rated | Criteria | Assessment | Pass/Fail or Points Range | Minimum Pass Mark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (a) | Mandatory | The Applicant/Bidder demonstrates that the proposed solution is starting between Technology Readiness Level 1 and 4 (inclusive). | Pass: The Applicant/Bidder has demonstrated that the proposed solution is starting between TRLs 1 and 4 (inclusive), and provides justification by explaining what kind of research and development (R&D) has taken place to bring the solution to the stated TRL. Fail: The Applicant/Bidder has not provided sufficient evidence that the TRL is between 1 to 4 (inclusive) including:
|
Pass/Fail | Pass |
1 (b) | Point Rated | The degree to which the Applicant/Bidder has demonstrated that the proposed solution advances the state-of-the-art over existing technologies, including available competing solutions, and provides a description of the scientific and technological basis of the solution. |
|
0-8 | 4 |
1 (c) | Point Rated | The degree to which the Applicant/Bidder has demonstrated that the proposed solution can solve the problem identified in the challenge. |
|
0-8 | 4 |
1 (d) | Point Rated | The Applicant/Bidder identifies scientific and technical risks facing their solution and explains how those risks would be addressed in Phase 1. |
|
0-8 | N/A |
Question | Mandatory/ Point Rated | Criteria | Assessment | Pass/Fail or Points Range | Minimum Pass Mark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Points Rated | The proposed solution describes the benefits that could result from the successful development of the solution using the following 3 categories (Economic Benefits, Innovation Benefits, Public Benefits | The Applicant/Bidder identifies the benefits to Canada citing 3 categories of below (Innovation, Economic and Public).
|
9 | N/A |
Question | Mandatory/ Point Rated | Criteria | Assessment | Pass/Fail or Points Range | Minimum Pass Mark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 (a) | Point Rated | The Applicant/Bidder provides a project plan for Phase 1 that includes key milestones and activities, estimated time to complete the milestones and associated success criteria. |
|
0-8 | N/A |
3 (b) | Point Rated | The Applicant/Bidder describes the potential project management risks to the successful development of the solution and how will they be managed in Phase 1. |
|
0-8 | N/A |
3 (c) | Point Rated | The Applicant/Bidder identifies roles, responsibilities and expertise in the project implementation team that will develop the solution in Phase 1. |
|
0-8 | N/A |
3 (d) | Point Rated | The Applicant/Bidder identifies how it is including members of under-represented groups (e.g., women, Indigenous people, visible minorities) in its efforts to innovate. |
|
0-3 | N/A |
Question | Mandatory/ Point Rated | Criteria | Assessment | Pass/Fail or Points Range | Minimum Pass Mark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 (a) | Point Rated | The degree to which the Applicant/Bidder has identified a realistic financial proposal to advance the proposed solution in Phase 1. |
|
0-4 | N/A |
4 (b) | Point Rated | The degree to which the Applicant/Bidder has indicated financial controls and oversight to manage public funds in Phase 1. |
|
0-4 | N/A |
Question | Mandatory/ Point Rated | Criteria | Assessment | Pass/Fail or Points Range | Minimum Pass Mark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 (a) | Point Rated | The degree to which the Applicant/Bidder has thought beyond the work in Phase 1 and advancing the solution in Phase 2. |
|
0 - 8 | N/A |
5 (b) | Point Rated | The degree to which the Applicant/Bidder has identified target market, risks and barriers to commercialization following Phase 2. |
|
0 - 4 | N/A |
- Minimum pass mark
- 40
- Total available points
- 80
Questions and answers
Please visit Buy and Sell for all Questions and Answers related to this challenge.
Please visit Buy and Sell for all Questions and Answers related to the Call for Proposals.
If you have a question about a challenge, please send it to ISED-ISDE@canada.ca.
You can also consult the Frequently asked questions about the Innovative Solutions Canada Program.
A glossary is also available.