Introduction
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. The AFN hosts two Assemblies a year, where mandates and directives for the organization are established through resolutions directed and supported by the First Nations-in-Assembly (elected Chiefs or Proxies from member First Nations).
In addition to the direction provided by Chiefs of each member First Nation, the AFN is guided by an Executive Committee consisting of an elected National Chief and Regional Chiefs from each province and territory. Representatives from five national councils (Knowledge Keepers, Youth, Veterans, 2SLGBTQQIA+ and Women) support and guide the decisions of the Executive Committee.
The AFN is seeking proposals from qualified bidders to conduct a pilot and feasibility testing of the draft First Nations Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) results framework, and to provide input on the draft First Nations ELCC evaluation strategy, including the drafting of surveys or other tools to evaluate First Nations ELCC programming.
Objective
The objective of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to select a bidder who will provide a high quality of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality for feasibility testing of the First Nations-specific results framework and evaluation strategy for ELCC. The project is anticipated to start in June 2026 and last until April 2027.
Submissions will be reviewed by an internal panel within the AFN Social Development Sector and will be assessed according to the criteria provided in the “Evaluation Criteria” section of this RFP. Proposals are due to the AFN no later than 5:00pm EDT on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Background
In 2016, First Nations-in-Assembly passed AFN Resolution 39/2016, First Nations Working Group on Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC), establishing the creation of the National Expert Working Group (NEWG) on First Nations ELCC to develop a national First Nations ELCC Policy Framework. In 2017, First Nations-in-Assembly passed AFN Resolution 83/2017, Support for the National First Nations Early Learning and Child Care Policy Framework, that validated the National First Nations ELCC Policy Framework vision, principles, and goals for First Nations ELCC programs and services. The Framework’s vision is for happy and healthy First Nations children and families through regionally driven ELCC systems, rooted in Indigenous languages and cultures, governed by First Nations. A key strategic action identified by the NEWG in the Framework is the development of a results framework and evaluation strategy to collect useful information and data on First Nations ELCC to monitor outcomes of investments in childcare and inform future advocacy.
In 2018, the Government of Canada committed $1.02 billion in new funding over 10 years to strengthen ELCC programs for First Nations children. In Budget 2022, the Government of Canada made further investments in First Nations ELCC, including programs, services, governance and infrastructure. Existing program-based funding and the recent budget investments rely on Terms and Conditions to outline reporting requirements used to evaluate the efficacy of these investments. The indicators and processes used are not First Nations-determined, and do not reflect the goals and priorities for First Nations ELCC. To support true transformation and First Nations determination over ELCC, it is critical to evaluate and understand results from a First Nations perspective.
In 2024, the AFN hired a contractor to develop the draft First Nations results framework and evaluation strategy. In November 2025, AFN Resolution 31/2025, First Nations Early Learning and Child Care Results Framework and Evaluation Strategy was passed. The resolution approved the results framework and evaluation strategy in principle and mandated the NEWG to oversee a pilot project. The AFN continues to seek feedback on the results framework and evaluation strategy from First Nations.
Scope of Work
The successful proponent will work with the AFN to:
Project Requirements
- Development of a detailed workplan that meets all objectives within this proposal.
- Conduct a pilot of the First Nations ELCC results framework to ensure usage, feasibility, and relevance of the current draft indicators.
- Provide recommendations, based on the results of the pilot and other feedback, to better the indicators within the results framework.
- Ensure the results framework can be used to evaluate progress and achievement of outcomes for First Nations ELCC.
- Support the development of surveys or other tools for the implementation of an evaluation strategy for First Nations ELCC programming.
- Ensure the evaluation strategy for First Nations ELCC considers and responds to regional and national First Nations priorities.
- Provide an interim report and updates to the NEWG for validation and direction as required.
- Provide a final report and presentation that provides a summary of the key findings and recommendations.
- Ensure all work is compliant with OCAP® principles.
Project Timeline
|
Deliverables |
Expected Date |
|
Initial project meeting and regular virtual meetings with AFN Social Development Sector |
June 2026 and ongoing |
|
Development of a detailed workplan and timeline |
June 2026 |
|
Update meetings and engagement with the NEWG, virtually and in-person |
Ongoing |
|
Piloting of indicators |
July – November 2026 |
|
Interim report |
December 2026 |
|
Development of tools for the evaluation strategy |
January – March 2027 |
|
Final report |
April 2027 |
Proposal Submission Instructions
All proposals shall be received by the AFN no later than Friday, June 5, 2026 at 5:00pm EDT.
Only electronic submissions will be accepted, submitted via email as a PDF document to the Director of Social Development. All proposals must clearly identify the name of the proponent and the note “RFP for First Nations Early Learning and Child Care Results Framework and Evaluation Strategy – Phase Two” in the subject line. Proposals may be sent by e-mail to Victoria Bird, Director of Social Development at [email protected]. Submissions by mail or fax will not be accepted.
Late submissions will not be accepted, without exception.
Proposal Submission Requirements
All proposals should include the following information:
- Name
- Address
- A summary outlining the background of the proponent’s company, the proposal contents, and any specific exceptions to the stated requirements.
- A description of the proponent’s qualifications, capabilities and experience specifically related to the Request for Proposals, including demonstrated experience and qualifications related to OCAP®.
- A description of the physical and human resources required to complete the activities outlined in the Request for Proposals, including identification of the project team members, if any, and their roles and experience.
- A proposed timeline and methodology that identifies the time and resources required to complete the proposed work.
- A detailed cost breakdown for the proposed services, in Canadian dollars and inclusive of HST. See below for additional information.
- The name, title and contact information for three (3) references who have used the services of the proponent.
Rights of the AFN
The AFN reserves the right to:
- Reject any or all proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals;
- Enter into negotiation with one or more bidders on any or all aspects of their respective proposals;
- Accept any proposal in whole, or in part;
- Cancel and/or re-issue the modified version of a given RFP requirement at any time;
- Award one or more contracts;
- Verify all information provided with respect to a given RFP requirement, including the right to request a confirmation of the bidder’s legal status and signed documentation; and
- Award contracts without competition for follow-up work, if any, to the selected bidder for a given project requirement.
Evaluation Criteria
The AFN will select the Proponent(s) which, in the AFN’s sole discretion, best serves the needs of the AFN. The following is a summary of the general considerations that will be used to determine the Proponent(s) that will be selected:
| Expertise of firm/organization submitting the proposal, including relevance of the proponent’s experience for the project content | 20 |
| Experience working with First Nations and First Nations organizations | 20 |
| Proposed work plan and approach, including allocation of time to tasks and activities identified in the proposal | 20 |
| Total price associated with proposed tasks and activities | 20 |
| Overall impressions of the proposal | 10 |
| Indigenous organization or individual | 10 |
Timetable
| Description of Deliverables | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. The following dates are set forth for informational and planning purposes and may be changed at the AFN’s sole discretion. | Date TBD |
| 2. RFP released/posted | May 19, 2026 |
| 3. Deadline for Questions | May 29, 2026 |
| 4. Deadline for proposal submission | Jun 05, 2026 |
| 5. Completion of proposal evaluations | Jun 12, 2026 |
| 6. Final selection | Jun 19, 2026 |
| 7. Expected contract start date | Jun 29, 2026 |
| 8. Expected contract end date | Apr 30, 2027 |
The timetable is tentative only and may be changed by the AFN, in its sole discretion, at any time prior to the Proposal Submission Deadline.
Miscellaneous Provisions
Price
Contractors must provide a firm fixed price for all work outlined in this RFP. The proposed price must include all costs necessary to complete the work, including but not limited to administrative fees, travel, accommodation, material costs, translation, printing, and HST.
Confidentiality
Responses to this RFP will be considered as confidential information by the AFN and will be used solely for the purposes of selecting the successful bidder.
Clarification/Questions
Requests for clarification and/or questions regarding this RFP must be received by 5:00pm EDT on Friday, May 29, 2026 and should be sent by email to Victoria Bird, Director of Social Development, at [email protected].
Responses/Submission
All on-time proposals will be acknowledged. Only those submissions that meet the deadline will be considered. Responses to this RFP must be received by 5:00pm EDT on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Responses must be sent by e-mail to Victoria Bird, Director of Social Development, [email protected].