Request for Proposal to Develop a Business Case for a NIITA Office
TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS CASE FOR A NATIONAL INDIGENOUS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE (NIITA) OFFICE
September 1, 2020
1. TERMS & ACRONYMS
The following terms and acronyms are used throughout this document:
| AFN | Assembly of First Nations (www.afn.ca) |
| Band | The Indian Act defines a band as “a body of Indians” whose use of “Reserve” lands, monies and other resources are managed by the federal government. |
| Contractor | Businesses/consultants who are interested in submitting a proposal |
| FNDHA | The First Nations Digital Health Advisory is a national eHealth advisory working group consisting of First Nations representatives and is coordinated by the AFN. |
| FNHSSM | First Nations Health & Social Secretariat of Manitoba (www.fnhssm.com) |
| FNIHB | First Nations & Inuit Health Branch of ISC |
| ISC | Indigenous Services Canada (www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada) |
| NIITA | National Indigenous Information Technology Alliance (www.niita.ca) |
| NITHA | Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (www.nitha.com) |
| RFP | Request for Proposal |
| Steering Committee | Representatives from NITHA, FNHSSM, FNDHA and ISC who will guide and oversee the development of the business case by the contractor |
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 Purpose of RFP
The intent of this RFP is to obtain information leading to the selection of a contractor to participate in this project to develop a Business Case for a NIITA Office.
2.2 Background
At a national FNDHA meeting in November 2018, there was interest to create a national forum for First Nations IT professionals. The FNHSSM volunteered to organize a national symposium that took place in Winnipeg on November 5-7, 2019.
The goal of the symposium was to bring together First Nations IT professionals from across Canada to network, exchange knowledge and to give exposure to the newly formed NIITA. The attendees of the symposium were:
- Designated IT professionals (e.g. network administrator) who provide IT support for First Nations health centres
- Employed by a First Nations organization (no contractors)
Thirty-five First Nations IT professionals from across Canada attended the symposium. The symposium was the first gathering of its kind devoted to First Nations IT professionals, and the attendees found it to be very informative and enjoyable. There were presentations by industry leaders on current technology solutions and a few workshops that captured the current state of First Nations IT systems.
One of the symposium workshops focused on the potential and future of NIITA. The workshop revealed that a national office could benefit First Nations organizations and communities in the following areas:
- IT procurement
- IT training
- Networking and communications
- Policy and standards development
- IT technical services
- Coordinating regional advisory committees
Another symposium was planned for 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For 2020-2021, the focus will be on developing a business case for a NIITA office.
