Application of Accessibility Standards

IMPORTANT: All enquiries submitted between December 23rd, 2024 to January 6th, 2025 will only be answered after January 6, 2025.

In May 2024, Accessible Standards Canada (ASC) officially adopted the European Harmonized Standard on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for use in Canada. The EN 301 549 standard states the accessibility requirements for ICT products and services. Under the code CAN/ASC - EN 301 549:2024, this standard is now approved for use throughout the country as an official standard for the Government of Canada.

The official endorsement of this standard re-iterates the importance for federal organizations to take action in adopting the measures therein and follow the guidance provided in the Guideline on Making Information Technology Usable by All. It is recommended that organizations adopt the CAN/ASC - EN 301 549:2024 standard in support of the Government's commitment to an accessible and barrier-free Canada.

Reason for this RFI

Shared Services Canada (SSC) is posting this RFI with the intention to understand:

-Industry’s awareness and use of ICT accessibility standards and/or guidelines, in particular, the EN 301 549 Harmonised European Standard – Accessibility Requirements for ICT Products and Services, in the design and development of its solutions, non-web documents and training; and

-Any barriers/challenges or obstacles that Industry may encounter if required to conform to an ICT accessibility standard, in particular, the EN 301 549 Harmonised European Standard – Accessibility Requirements for ICT Products and Services, in order to do business with the Government of Canada.

Scope of Anticipated Procurement:

iPotential Client Users: This RFI is being issued by SSC. SSC’s clients include SSC itself, those government institutions for which SSC’s services are mandatory at any point during the life of any resulting instrument(s), and those other organizations for which SSC’s services are optional at any point during the life of any resulting instrument(s) and that choose to use those services from time to time.

A contracting officer can use limited tendering for specific reasons outlined in the applicable trade agreements. The reason for this contract is described below:

• None