Objective
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations. The AFN hosts at least two Assemblies each 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.) The AFN is also guided by an Executive Committee consisting of an elected National Chief and Regional Chiefs from each province and territory.
The AFN invites qualified individuals or companies to submit proposals to develop 1) a literature review, 2) a review of programs and services that support First Nations people transitioning from the criminal justice system, 3) conduct one focus group, and 4) develop a report summarizing findings and recommendations.
Background
In 2019, the First Nations-in-Assembly passed Resolution 79/2019, Action Plan for First Nations Homelessness On and Off-Reserve, which mandates the AFN to identify resources to do research and collaborate with partners in order to gather data to determine the number of First Nations people experiencing homelessness; and analyze the data to determine the causes and the gaps in services, including the shortage of housing on-reserve, that contribute to members leaving their communities, and other reasons that prevent the homeless from accessing adequate shelter on and off reserve. Resolution 75/2023, Approval and Implementation of a National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan, directed the AFN to develop an implementation plan and seek resources to fulfill the objectives set out therein.
The Action Plan is aimed at supporting the vision that First Nations control and deliver holistic and culturally safe supports and services so their citizens can access safe and supportive housing no matter where they live. In support of this vision, the Action Plan sets out several First Nations-led actions as a roadmap to achieving and implementing this vision. This includes conducting research and engagement to identify the distinct service needs of First Nations women, Veterans, Elders and youth experiencing homelessness and advocate for dedicated resources for First Nations to develop and deliver these services.
The work outlined in this RFP is relevant to the Action Plan’s First Nations-led actions:
#4.1 Engage with service providers and community members to determine how First Nations can effectively support their citizens in navigating and accessing existing services.
#4.3. Conduct research and engagement to identify models and promising practices for First Nations to support their citizens in navigating and accessing services, such as dedicated community liaison position.
#7.3 Conduct research and engagement on the experiences and supports needed to assist First Nations people transitioning from the criminal justice system in accessing and retaining housing.
Scope of Work
The scope of the literature review, programs and services review, and focus group includes but is not limited to:
Regular project meetings and check-ins
The successful proponent will be responsible for scheduling regular check-in meetings with the AFN project team to provide updates and discuss next steps.
Participation in Two Meetings with the Regional First Nations Housing Technicians (Technicians)
The AFN’s Technicians will provide oversight and guidance to the project, and the successful proponent will therefore be invited to attend and present at two virtual meetings with Technicians over the course of the project. One meeting will allow the successful proponent to present their proposed approach and workplan to receive input, and the other will allow for the presentation of an interim report. Meeting dates have yet to be determined.
Completion of Comprehensive Literature Review
The successful proponent will complete a comprehensive literature review to enhance understanding of the current situation and existing solutions for homelessness among First Nations transitioning from the criminal justice system including accessing and retaining housing. The AFN has begun some preliminary research in this area, and the successful proponent should incorporate this existing work into their review.
Completion of a Focus Group
The successful proponent will conduct a focus group resulting in the collection and analysis of qualitative data and first-hand insights from First Nations transitioning from the criminal justice system and their family members, Chiefs/leadership, service providers, program officers, and government people who design relevant policies. This will include one virtual focus group, with the format and dates to be determined during the planning stage. An interim report will be developed outlining results and key findings from the focus group.
Completion of Program and Service Review
The successful proponent will analyze existing programs and services that specifically service First Nations people in transition from the criminal justice system who are experiencing homelessness, resulting in greater knowledge of best practices and successful interventions in addressing homelessness among First Nations involved in the criminal justice system. This should include an overview of services and supports for First Nations transitioning from the criminal justice system in accessing and retaining housing, highlighting both gaps and differentiating between experiences in urban versus on-reserve/community settings. The proponent will complete an interim report including the findings of the program and service review.
Final Report
The successful proponent will complete a comprehensive final report, detailing findings, best practices, lessons learned and recommendations, to be submitted to the AFN for review, edits, and approval.
Project Requirements
- Project initiation and literature review
- Project Initiation Meeting
- Project Charter/Workplan submitted to AFN for review
- Preliminary Meeting with Technicians
- Completion of comprehensive literature review and submission to AFN for review
- Focus Group
- Submission of interview questions and focus group plans to AFN for review.
- Work with AFN and the Technicians to identify and recruit participants who utilize and provide services to First Nation peoples experiencing homelessness and First Nation peoples transitioning from the criminal justice system, their family members, Chiefs/Leadership, program officers and other relevant stakeholders to participate in the focus group.
- Completion of focus group.
- Draft interim report outlining results and outcomes of focus groups to AFN for review.
- Program and Service Review
- Detailed review of existing programs and services across Canada supporting First Nations transitioning from the criminal justice system who are experiencing homelessness.
- Draft Program and Service review interim report to AFN for review
- Reporting
- Draft final report to AFN for review and input
- Presentation to Technicians on findings and input
- Incorporation of edits
- AFN approval of final report
- Translation of report into both official languages for dissemination
Project Timeframe:
Project Deliverables:
The following dates are set forth for informational and planning purposes and may be changed at the AFN’s sole discretion.
|
Project Stage |
Dates |
|
Project Initiation Meeting |
Apr. 1, 2026 |
|
Project Charter/Workplan |
Apr. 8, 2026 |
|
Program and Service Review Report |
Apr. 22, 2026 |
|
Interview/focus group report |
May 15, 2026 |
|
Comprehensive Literature Review |
Jun. 12, 2026 |
|
Draft Final Report |
Jul. 12, 2026 |
|
Final Report in English and French |
Jul. 31, 2026 |
Proposal Submission Instructions
All proposals shall be received by the AFN no later than February 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
All proposals will clearly identify the name of the proponent and the note “RFP for Supports for First Nations Transition from the Criminal Justice System” on the subject line in an email.
Individuals shall indicate whether they identify as Indigenous and what Indigenous community acknowledges their membership. Corporate entities shall do the same for the ownership of the entity and for those who will conduct the work.
Late submissions will not be accepted and will be returned unopened without exception. The use of the mail or courier services for delivery of a bid will be at the risk of the bidder.
Proposal Submission Requirements
All proposals shall include the following information:
- Cover letter with contact information and confirmation of availability for all key dates and outline the background information of the proponent’s company, including contents of the proposal.
- Résumé or organizational profile demonstrating research and facilitation experience, particularly in Indigenous engagement and virtual event delivery. Include a description of the proponent’s capabilities/experience specifically related to First Nations homelessness and criminal justice system.
- A brief proposal outlining:
- Approach to focus group facilitation, including tools and methods to ensure interactive discussion, culturally respectful and trauma-informed engagement
- Experience with research and writing
- Any relevant experience with homelessness and the criminal justice system
- Identify the composition of the proposed project team including project team members, description of the roles of the team members, and level of experience of the team members specific to First Nations experience with homelessness and the criminal justice system.
- Client References: the names of three (3) references which have used the services of the bidder as research and engagement services. References to include the client’s name, title, contact information.
- Cost Breakdown: The Proponent shall provide a detailed cost breakdown for the proposed services, showing the total cost for the performance of all services, expenses, materials, deliverables, and software/hardware costs (if applicable), to be used for completion of the work. Total cost shall be in Canadian dollars and inclusive of HST.
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
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:
| Overall Experience and demonstrated results in strategic plans, relationship building and facilitation | 25 |
| Knowledge, training and application surrounding the principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®) | 20 |
| Budget approach and cost effectiveness | 20 |
| Indigenous organization / individual | 10 |
| Strategic thinking and planning approach | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
Timetable
| Description of Deliverables | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Les dates suivantes sont indiquées à des fins d’information et de planification et peuvent être modifiées à la seule discrétion de l’APN. | Feb 09, 2026 |
| 2. Réunion de lancement du projet | Apr 01, 2026 |
| 3. Charte du projet/plan de travail | Apr 08, 2026 |
| 4. Rapport de l’examen des programmes et services | Apr 22, 2026 |
| 5. Rapport sur les entrevues ou le groupe de discussion | May 15, 2026 |
| 6. Analyse documentaire exhaustive | Jun 12, 2026 |
| 7. Ébauche du rapport final | Jul 12, 2026 |
| 8. Rapport final en français et en anglais | Jul 31, 2026 |
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, including administrative fees, material costs, printing of draft concepts and HST.
Costs pertaining to the retention of additional services to facilitate on-line voting (should this be necessary) do not need to be included. AFN will evaluate proposed systems and related costs in a separate process, with recommendations from the successful bidder.
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
All on-time proposals will be acknowledged.
Requests for clarification and/or questions regarding this RFP should be directed to:
Kalyne Beaudry
Senior Policy Analyst
Assembly of First Nations
50 O’Connor Street, Suite 200 Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2
Telephone: (613) 294-0977
Electronic Mail: [email protected]
Responses/Submission
Only those submissions that meet the deadline will be considered.
Responses to this RFP must be received by the close of business (5:00pm EST) on February 27, 2026.