Primer: Ontario Learning and Training Services VOR
The Government of Ontario, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) purchases Learning and Training Services through a Vendor of Record (VOR) arrangement. The VOR is similar to a Supply Arrangement and is used by all Government of Ontario ministries and other entities to procure Learning and Training Services across a broad range of topics.
Ontario Learning and Training Services Vendor of Record (VOR): Qualify for opportunities to provide Management Consulting Services to the Ontario Public Service (Closed – Refresh anticipated February 2021)
This VOR is mandatory for Ontario Government ministries and for Ontario Public Service (OPS) entities who wish to obtain learning and training services in the categories listed below. It is optional for Provincially Funded Organizations (which include but are not limited to municipalities, hospitals, and school boards).
The objective of this Request for Bid (RFB) is to establish amulti-vendor enterprise-wide Vendor of Record (VOR) arrangement for the provision of Learning and Training Services, OSS_00536904 for the Ontario Public Services (OPS) as further described in this RFB.
Vendors will be awarded by topic area within the respective service category. Vendors will be required to provide the awarded services across all locations of the Province of Ontario.
The Learning and Training Services VOR is organized according to the following service categories:
- Service Category 1 – Leadership Development Programming
- Service Category 2 – General Programming
- Service Category 3 – Digital Learning
- Service Category 4 – Communications Courses Programming
- Service Category 5 – General I+IT Learning and Training Services
- Service Category 6 – Regulatory, Compliance and Enforcement Programming
A full listing of all the topics for each service category included in the Learning and Training VOR can be found in our TPC Overview – Ontario Learning and Training Services (2020-03).
To qualify for the Learning and Training Services VOR, you must respond to and comply with the Learning and Training Services VOR RFP, which can be obtained from the Ontario BravoSolution electronic tendering system by searching for “OSS_00536904”.
Highlights of the Learning and Training Services VOR RFB
The Learning and Training Services VOR is currently closed, with a refresh anticipated in February 2021.
The current Learning and Training Services VOR was established on May 15, 2016 and will be in effect for five years from that date. MGCS has an option to extend the VOR for up to two years. During Refresh periods, new vendors can apply to become qualified vendors and existing VOR holders can apply to qualify for additional topics. Refresh opportunities are available annually.
Vendors Must Qualify by Topic
The VOR qualifies companies according to topics. To bid on the VOR, you are required to demonstrate experience in each proposed topic. As a supplier, you can supply services related to your qualified topics within any of the 6 service categories.
There are 43 topics associated with the 6 service categories. A full listing of all the topics in each service category included in the Learning and Training VOR can be found in our TPC Overview – Ontario Learning and Training Services (2020-03) .
Key Requirements for New Vendors
In addition to completing the Qualification Envelope, which includes basic corporate information and agreement to various terms and conditions, new vendors must provide detailed responses for each topic they wish to qualify for in the Technical Envelope. Requirements vary by topic, but generally include:
- Number of years offering Learning and Learning and Training Services (may include consultation, design, development, delivery, and assessment services)
- Percentage of clients from public sector
- Awards or recognition received for services in past 5 years from recognized institutions
- Number of learning consultants
- Consultants have formal education in Adult Education
- Consultants have formal education in and/or course work related to specific topic
- Consultants have publications or research related to specific topic
- Yearly training completed by consultants to upgrade professional knowledge and skills
- Provision of design and development services
- Delivery of services in related topic (number of deliveries in a set number of years)
- Services provided to executive level audience
- Services provided to large organizations (500 plus)
- References related to each topic
- Certain topics require qualifications and certifications to administer and interpret appropriate psychometric assessment tools, and a reference (i.e. Myers Briggs, and/or HBDI and/or EQ and/or FIRO B and/or Foresight and/or True Colors, etc.)
- Certain topics require design and delivery experience of on-line synchronous learning sessions (e.g. webinars) related to topic and/or design and delivery of training related to topic using a blended learning approach
- Provision of one qualified back-up instructor related to topic
The response to each topic is rated. To pass, vendors must score a minimum of 70%.
Additionally, for most topics, vendors must complete a Commercial envelope which includes the financial component of the evaluation.
Key Requirement for Existing Vendors
Existing Learning and Training Service VOR vendors are not required to submit a proposal at this time. Vendors who wish to qualify for additional topics may submit a proposal comprised of the Qualification, Technical and Commercial envelopes as described above. The Technical and Commercial response is only required for the additional topics, not topics previously awarded.
Additional Information and Support
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the Learning and Training Services VOR, doing business with the provincial government, or doing business with any public sector organization, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be very happy to answer your questions. We have even created a special package to support you with your submission. Contact us today for more details.
