Issued by: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Settlement and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate, Ontario Region
Purpose:
The Settlement and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), Ontario Region, invites proposals to research tutoring programs that currently exist within the field of second language training across Canada. The successful applicant will examine existing models and best practices from both English and French programs that utilize tutors. The research gathered will provide information of use to CIC Ontario Region for future program planning.
Background:
CIC funds the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program which provides basic language training to adult newcomers in one of Canada’s official languages to facilitate their social, cultural and economic integration into Canada. By developing linguistic communication skills through LINC, immigrants and refugees are better able to function in Canadian society and contribute to the economy. LINC also supports newcomers in meeting the linguistic requirements for Canadian citizenship. LINC curricula includes materials on orientation to Canada, as well as materials that provide knowledge of Canada and its diverse cultures. For more information on the LINC program, please visit www.cic.gc.ca and/or www.settlement.org/linc.
A client’s language abilities are assessed and measured against specific benchmarks. Based on these benchmarks, the client is referred to a LINC level and class that will best serve his/her learning needs. For more information on the benchmarks, please visit www.language.ca.
Deliverables:
The incumbent will submit to CIC:
- A complete report with detailed and organized findings of the research conducted, including best practices
- A list of the tutoring programs that were studied, with contact information
- A description of program models
- Details on costs associated with the specialized programs
- Details on partnerships that exist within the programs
- A list of appropriate resources (books, websites, and other relevant materials) that are currently being used by the tutors and instructors
- Information on any special training, professional development, and/or skills required to teach these specialized classes
- Information on particular tools needed for these classes
- Information on assessment tools and how learners are promoted from one level to the next
- A report on the gaps that exist in the areas of language training programs involving tutors
- Recommendations for program enhancements that may be considered for implementation by CIC in future
Proposal Requirements:
Every proposal submitted for consideration must:
- Demonstrate the applicant’s expertise in the areas of research and analysis
- Provide examples of similar research projects that have been successfully completed in the past, and two references with contact information from these projects
- Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the fields of language training and adult education *
- Demonstrate bilingual capacity in English and French*
- Include a detailed work plan and timeline indicating overall planning, management, administration, and reporting
- Include a budget, with detailed breakdown of each element of the project (including itemization of budget for wage costs, employee benefits, space rental expenses, travel expenses, other itemized costs)
- Include a description of all partners and subcontractors who will be involved in this project, if applicable. Their roles must be clearly specified, and their qualifications demonstrated in the proposal.
- Include a résumé for each individual involved demonstrating that he/she has the appropriate experience/skills for the project
- Include information outlining any real or perceived conflicts of interest, including potential conflicts, and the steps that will be taken to deal with the conflict
* NOTE: It is recognized that one applicant may not possess all of the required skills, knowledge and expertise, and therefore, partnerships and/or subcontracting arrangements are encouraged. However, the primary applicant is responsible for the performance of all partners and sub-contractors.
Review Process:
An evaluation team will make a selection from the submissions. All proposals will be acknowledged with a letter outlining the results of the review process. We regret that we will be unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding the status of a proposal while the review process is taking place.
Constraints:
Proposals will be assessed for cost-effectiveness and planned activities relative to other proposals received. Budget submissions should reflect actual cost estimates. Please note that where administration charges are identified, CIC will ask for them to be itemized. Normally, CIC contributes up to a maximum of 15% for administrative costs.
The target end date for the project is May 31, 2007.
Submission Deadline
The deadline for receipt of submission by the Settlement Directorate is
4:00 pm (EST) on Friday, January 19, 2007
Proposals received after this time will not be considered.
Five hard copies of the completed proposal and one electronic copy in Microsoft Word on CD, diskette or via e-mail must be submitted to:
Elizabeth Gryte
Director, Settlement Programs
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Settlement & Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 1500
Toronto, ON
M5H 3P5
Elizabeth.Gryte@cic.gc.ca
Proposal inquiries should be directed by email to:
Suzanne.MacDonald1@cic.gc.ca.
The deadline for questions is January 10, 2007. Specific questions will be answered on an individual basis. If you wish to receive a list of questions submitted and their answers send an e-mail to Suzanne.MacDonald1@cic.gc.ca by January 10, 2007 stating your intention to apply and requesting that the list of questions and answers be sent to you via return e-mail. All questions and answers will be shared with all potential applicants via e-mail on January 12, 2007.
CIC reserves the right to seek further clarification on all proposals and to take time as necessary to review and select the successful proposal. CIC reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the CFP and to change or delete any provisions of it, including time limits, without notice and without liability to any party for any costs or expenses incurred by any party in connection with or related to the CFP. Notice of changes to or cancellation of the CFP will be posted on http://atwork.settlement.org/. CIC will not be liable for any costs or expenses relating to a proposal submitted pursuant to this CFP, whether successful or not. The approval of successful proposals will be subject to the negotiation of a contribution agreement, and CIC is under no obligation to approve any application through this process.
The organization awarded funds under this CFP will be required to sign a standard CIC Contribution Agreement as a pre-requisite to receiving funding. The Agreement will contain provisions which will include, but not be limited to, provisions to ensure accountability, to require funding recipients to obtain appropriate insurance and to protect CIC from liability. Under the Agreement, CIC will reimburse eligible expenditures that are reasonable and directly related to the project. The Agreement will stipulate that applicants receive funding subject to an annual appropriation from Parliament for the purpose in which the contribution is contemplated and that CIC may cancel or reduce the contribution if CIC funding levels are changed by Parliament.
