Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation (“Makigiaqta”) is requesting proposals for the delivery or development of distance/e-learning programs. The purpose of these programs will be to provide Nunavut Inuit with education, training and skills needed for employment, and to enhance their economic participation and opportunities. Makigiaqta will award eligible organizations up to $250,000 each. The total budget appropriated for one year under the Contributions Program is $1 million.

Makigiaqta

Makigiaqta was established following a $175 million out-of-court settlement between Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (“NTI”) and the governments of Nunavut and Canada. Makigiaqta is responsible for administering the settlement fund to enhance Inuit’s preparedness for employment and other economic opportunities. Makigiaqta’s long-term plan is to enhance Inuit’s self-reliance, to create opportunities for significant positive change for the current generation of Inuit, and to foster the social, cultural and economic well-being of Nunavut for the benefit of future generations.

Makigiaqta’s Strategic Plan (the “Plan”), which is available here, outlines four Strategic Priorities:

1. Priority 1: Early learning systems. Investment in early learning services, especially services rooted in children’s language, heritage and culture, is strongly associated with success in K-12, employment, and positive mental health outcomes.
3. Priority 2: Wrap-around supports for success in K-12 and beyond. Wrap-around supports are intended to complement and support the Government of Nunavut’s efforts to strengthen Nunavut’s basic education system and K-12 learning outcomes.
5. Priority 3: Foundational skills development opportunities for adults. The Government of Nunavut and NTI have identified the need for direct and immediate action to provide literacy and adult basic education opportunities for Inuit to improve their access to employment.
7. Priority 4: Advanced training and post-secondary education for employment in key sectors. Enhancing post-secondary and sector-specific training programs linked with employment demand will assist more Inuit in progressing their careers, ultimately increasing Inuit employment in higher-skilled jobs in the near-term.
8.  Organizations are encouraged to review the Plan in preparing their responses to this request for proposals.

Scope of Programs

Makigiaqta will consider a wide-range of proposals for distance/e-learning, including programs in the following areas:

• Inuit language and culture
• Student academic or achievement support [K-12]
• Other languages that will improve student achievement outcomes or graduation rates

Makigiaqta will also consider introductory courses in the following areas:

• Business and entrepreneurship
• Information technology and digital technology
• Consulting services
• Law [including enforcement, corrections, paralegal training, criminology, judiciary, and public administration]
• Medicine and laboratory sciences
• Wildlife and research
• Seamstressing, clothing design and industrial production [weaving/prints]
• Carving and jewelry making
• Interpretation and translation
• Mental health and counselling
• Hospice services and continuing care
• Finance and accounting
• Biology and other natural science
• Transportation
• Engineering
• Geology
• Social work
• Journalism, arts and media
• Film and video
• Early childhood education
• Education and teacher training
• Management and human resources
• Project management and contracting
• Real estate, property, land or construction management
• Trades and apprenticeships
• Mining and excavation
• Culinary arts and catering
• Commercial foods, including Arctic Char, Caribou and Musk-ox
• Archeology and history
• Tourism and economic development
• Retail and hospitality management
• Recreation and sports
• Telecommunications
• Corporate or non-profit governance, administration and budgeting
• Political science, public administration and policy development

Makigiaqta will negotiate program start times and length with successful organizations. The maximum length of any program will be one year.

Eligible Organizations

Makigiaqta will accept applications from:

• Organizations that are registered as non-profit organizations in Nunavut and in good-standing with Nunavut Legal Registries.
• For-profit organizations that are licensed and registered as a business in Nunavut.
• Non-profit or for-profit organizations that are registered in their appropriate provincial or territorial registry AND registered as an extra-territorial corporation in Nunavut.

Makigiaqta will give priority to proposals in the following order of priority:

• Proposals submitted by non-profit organizations based in Nunavut.
• Proposals submitted by Inuit Firms registered with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
• Proposals submitted by businesses based in Nunavut and registered pursuant to the NNI Policy.
• Proposals submitted by non-profit or for-profit organizations based outside of Nunavut that are registered as an extra-territorial corporation with Nunavut Legal Registries and that have a proven history of delivering programs in Nunavut.

An organization found to be lacking the responsibility or capability to assure proper performance of a program may be deemed “Not Responsible” for the purpose of this request for proposals. To this end, Makigiaqta may deem ‘Not Responsible’ for any of the following reasons an organization which:

• In the past twelve months has defaulted on a previous contract or contracts with Makigiaqta, NTI or its affiliates.
• By reason of contract non-performance, has balances owing to Makigiaqta, NTI or its affiliates or has had funding clawed back by Makigiaqta, NTI or its affiliates.
• Has failed to furnish Makigiaqta, NTI or its affiliates with financial statements or other accountability documents as required under a contract.
• For whatever reason, has in the past been disqualified from submitting proposals or entering into contracts with Makigiaqta, NTI or its affiliates.
• Is a subject of any pending investigation by a court or other authority, or who, as an entity or whose officers are under investigation or have been convicted of a fraud or other financial impropriety.

Instructions for the Delivery of Proposals

All proposals must meet the mandatory requirements of Makigiaqta’s Contribution Program Application Form. The application form is available on www.tunngavik.com, and organizations should review the application form thoroughly for further details about the information and documents required with all proposals.

Organizations must also provide required proof of compliance, such as registration under the Societies Act, the Business Corporations Act, the Inuit Firm registry or the NNI Policy registry, evidence of in good-standing status or extra-territorial incorporation.

Organizations must clearly indicate on any proposal that it is being submitted in response to this request for proposals, and may submit their proposal in person, by mail, fax or by electronic transmission to:

Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation

P.O. Box 638

Building 626 [1^st floor, Tumiit Plaza]

Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0

Phone: (867)-979-7923

Fax: (867)-979-7925.

Email address: makigiaqta@tunngavik.com.

Deadline for Submitting Proposals

Organizations must submit proposals by no later than 5pm ET on June 8, 2020.

If an application is non-compliant with Makigiaqta’s requirements, an organization will be requested to revise and re-submit their proposals during the application period and prior to the deadline.

Makigiaqta will not consider proposals received or revised after the deadline, and recommends that organizations submit their proposals as early as possible or contact Makigiaqta to ensure compliance with application requirements.

It is the sole responsibility of organizations to ensure that Makigiaqta receives any proposal by the deadline.

Questions About this Request for Proposals

Organizations may submit any questions about this Request for Proposals to: Randy Qamaniq, Director, Department of Inuit Training Programs & Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation, at RQamaniq@tunngavik.com.

Makigiaqta’s Review of Proposals

Proposals will be screened by Makigiaqta’s Program Committee to verify compliance with this request for proposals. Proposals will be evaluated by the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will send selected proposals to Makigiaqta’s Board of Directors, and the Board will make the final selection of proposals.

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

1. The organization’s proposal to advance Makigiaqta’s objectives under Priorities 1 and 2, and whether the organization’s program plan adequately outlines the program scope, budget, delivery schedule and deliverables: 50%.

In evaluating proposals, the Committee will consider whether the organization’s proposal:

• Provides instruction in Inuktut.
• Includes Inuit labour for the delivery of e-learning/distance learning services.
• Provides accreditation for the e-learning/distance learning program (certificate/diploma/introductory to degree programs).
• Proposes to target programs to a sizeable number of Nunavut Inuit. Makigiaqta will consider the number of Nunavut Inuit that an organization proposes to deliver programs to in its evaluation.
• Proposes Nunavut-wide accessibility or delivery to multiple Nunavut communities.
• Accommodates barriers to learning.
• Includes adequate lesson plans, remote learning materials, and learning objectives.
• Includes eligible and reasonable expenses.

• Explains that the organization has a proven history and experience in program delivery to Nunavut Inuit.

• Adheres to the terms and conditions of this request for proposals.

Organizations are therefore encouraged to include information relevant to these factors, and any other          factors they consider relevant, with their proposals.

1. Technical capacity to deliver e-learning/distance learning services: 50%.

In evaluating proposals, the Committee will consider whether the organization’s proposal:

• Addresses the unique challenges of delivering e-learning/distance learning in Nunavut.
• Demonstrates that the organization has the technical capacity to deliver e-leaning/distance learning programs to Nunavut communities.

Organizations are therefore encouraged to include information relevant to these factors, and any other          factors they consider relevant, with their proposals.

Makigiaqta will score applications out of a possible 100 points, weighted according to the two categories described above. Makigiaqta will award additional points when reviewing bids as follows:

• Registration as a non-profit organization based in Nunavut: 10 points.
• Registration as an Inuit business on the Inuit Firm Registry maintained by NTI: 5 points.
• Registration as a business on the NNI Policy maintained by Government of Nunavut 5 points.
• Proposal will primarily use Inuit labour in the delivery of e-learning/distance learning programs: 15 points.

Makigiaqta expects to announce the selected proposals between June 17-22, 2020, though this date is subject to change.

All applicants will be informed in writing whether their applications were selected or not selected within 10 days of Makigiaqta’s review and selection of proposals.