26-0079 - Ongoing Support for the Data Management Tool and Data…

Ongoing Support for the Data Management Tool and Data Enrichment Processes for the CRTC Music Database

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1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services, or construction to a pre-identified supplier. This notice allows other suppliers to express their interest by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier meets the ACAN requirements by the stated closing date, the contracting officer may proceed with the pre-identified supplier.

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2. Background

2.1 Context

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises the Canadian broadcasting industry. Under the Broadcasting Act, the CRTC has established a regulatory framework governing the broadcast of musical selections, including requirements for Canadian content and French-language vocal music.

Monitoring compliance with these requirements supports the CRTC’s mandate by:

•        Ensuring Canadians have access to diverse and compelling audio content across multiple platforms.

•        Promoting adherence to and enforcement of regulatory obligations.

The CRTC is in the final stages of developing a public music database that will provide information on the Canadian content status of musical selections aired in Canada. This database will enable broadcasters to validate their music programming and meet regulatory requirements. To achieve this, the CRTC requires ongoing support for its data management tool and associated data enrichment processes, which are essential for aggregating and identifying Canadian content.

2.2 Existing or Impacting Data, Systems, or Components

The data management tool was delivered under Contract 24-0006 to Quansic (now Luminate) in March 2024. This tool enables CRTC staff to manage data on musical selections and assess attributes such as:

•        Canadian Content (CanCon) status

•        Emerging artist status

•        Language

•        Content category and subcategory

The tool aggregates data from external sources (e.g., rights splits for composers and lyricists) and enriches it using identifiers such as ISRC, ISWC, IPI, and ISNI codes. After enrichment and review by CRTC staff, relevant non-protected data is extracted for publication in the CRTC music database.

2.3 Range, Extent, and Bounds

The CRTC and the Contractor will establish a secure and efficient mechanism for data and metadata transfer. For each title enriched, the CRTC will pay a nominal fee.

Key parameters:

•        Metadata enrichment will occur quarterly over a three-year period, aligned with existing contracts.

•        CRTC staff will provide data every three months; the Contractor will process enrichment and confirm availability in the tool for review prior to database updates.

•        Each enriched record must include and interrelate ISRC, ISWC, ISNI, and IPI codes, along with fields for MAPL status, CanCon status, emerging status, language, and content category/subcategory.

Key Terminology (See Annex A for full details)

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3. Scope of Work

In light of potential changes to Canadian content rules and policies related to Indigenous content, the CRTC requires the following:

•        Tool Access and Maintenance

Continued access to and maintenance of the data management tool, ensuring availability of cleaned and enriched metadata (ISRC, ISWC, ISNI, IPI) in compliance with Digital Data Exchange (communally known as the DDEX Protocol).

•        Data Enrichment

o        Enrich approximately 12,000 new titles annually.

o        Perform a one-time enrichment of 101,200 historical titles.

•        Functional Enhancements

o        Maintain existing MAPL-based CanCon calculation functionality.

o        Add features to:

        Calculate rights splits for composers and lyricists (SOCAN data).

        Incorporate modifications to CanCon calculation rules.

        Identify Indigenous content.

        Implement any additional changes required to meet CRTC’s mandate.

•        Integration of External Data

Normalize and integrate updated datasets from CBC/Radio-Canada into the tool, if provided.

Operational Details:

•        Work will be conducted electronically in an online environment between the Contractor and CRTC offices.

•        Communication will occur via email and videoconferencing as needed.

•        Data transfers will use a secure portal (Kiteworks).

•        Enrichment will follow quarterly deadlines, with requests submitted by designated CRTC staff.

4. Objectives

The objective of this engagement is to provide continued support and enhancements for the CRTC’s data management tool and associated data enrichment processes. These services will ensure the effective operation of the CRTC Music Database, enabling compliance monitoring and supporting regulatory obligations under the Broadcasting Act.

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5. Criteria for Assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

Interested suppliers must demonstrate that their solution meets the following minimum requirements (which are further extrapolated at Annex B):

1)        Over 5 years of experience in the matching of musical data between recordings, performers, and works.

2)        Able to provide and maintain, within the indicated budget and timeline, an existing and proven music data management and visualisation tool customized to CRTC specifications for the purpose of Canadian Content, French-vocal music, content categories and subcategories, emerging artists, and indigenous content identification.

3)        Able to match and enrich International Standard Works Code (ISWC) data, Interested Party Information (IPI) data, International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) data, International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) data for the sake of evaluating the Canadian Content status of an individual recording.

4)        Able to interpret and calculate copyrights splits data for lyricists and composers, which allows the identification of a Canadian status for the M and L criteria of the MAPL policy. The provider must be able to adjust the calculations in accordance with variations to the policy at the request and specifications of the client.

5)        Able to interpret, normalize and integrate external datasets provided by the CTRC if and when provided.

6)        Able to perform the task remotely and communicate with CRTC staff in French and/or English in accordance with relevant security protocols.

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6. Deliverables

Data Deliverables:

•        Quarterly delivery of enriched metadata in the data management tool.

•        Updated tool functionalities as per agreed specifications.

•        Integration of external datasets when available.

•        Documentation of all enhancements and processes.

ITEM        YEAR 1 (FY26-27)        YEAR 2 (FY27-28)        YEAR 3 (FY28-29)

Data enrichment and access to the tool

Unlimited API Access        ✔        ✔        ✔

Enrichment of Titles (3,000 per quarter)        12,000        12,000        12,000

Historical Titles Enrichment        101,200        N/A        N/A

CBC/SRC Data Transformation        ✔        N/A        N/A

Improvements

SOCAN Implementation of rights split data functionalities        ✔        N/A        N/A

Various amendments to the Data Explorer (MAPL, indigenous status)        ✔        N/A        N/A

4.2 Meetings

•        Punctual coordination meetings will be scheduled between CRTC staff responsible for the database and the Contractor.

•        Meetings will focus on providing feedback on data quality, usage, and resolving potential issues or fixes related to the tool’s functionalities.

4.3 Acceptance Criteria

•        Data will be deemed acceptable once fully enriched in the data visualization tool and vetted by authorized CRTC staff.

4.3.1 Format and Quantity

•        All data (101,200 historical titles and 36,000 new titles) must be enriched to specifications and made available through the data visualization tool procured under Contract 24-0006.

•        Every selection must be exportable in .csv or .xlsx format.

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7. Security Requirement

1.         The Contractor must, at all times during the performance of the Contract, hold a valid Designated Organization Screening (DOS), and obtain approved Document Safeguarding Capability at the level of PROTECTED A, issued by the Contract Security Program (CSP), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

2.         The Contractor personnel requiring access to PROTECTED information, assets, or sensitive site(s) must EACH hold a valid RELIABILITY STATUS, granted or approved by the CSP, PWGSC.

3.        The Contractor MUST NOT utilize its facilities to process, produce, or store PROTECTED information or assets until the CSP, PWGSC has issued written approval.

4.        The Contractor MUST NOT utilize its Information Technology systems to electronically process, produce, or store PROTECTED information until the CSP, PWGSC has issued written approval. After approval has been granted or approved, these tasks may be performed at the level of PROTECTED A.

5.         Subcontracts which contain security requirements are NOT to be awarded without the prior written permission of the CSP, PWGSC.

6.         The Contractor must comply with the provisions of the:

(a)         Security Requirements Check List, attached at Annex C;

(b)         Contract Security Manual (Latest Edition)

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8. Applicability of Trade Agreements

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements:

•        Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

•        Canada - European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

•        Revised World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP)

•        Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

•        Canada - Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)

•        Canada - Colombia Free Trade Agreement

•        Canada - Honduras Free Trade Agreement

•        Canada - Korea Free Trade Agreement

•        Canada - Panama Free Trade Agreement

•        Canada - Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA)

•        Canada - United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA)

•        Canada - Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA)

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9. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

This proposed sole-source contract is a continuation of Contract 24 0006, which supports the implementation and early maintenance of a data visualization tool used by the CRTC’s radio monitoring team. The initial procurement, in place until March 31, 2026, focused on developing and integrating the tool to manage the specialized music data and metadata required to determine Canadian content. This work forms the foundation for a broader initiative to deliver a public Canadian music database within the context of an enhanced radio monitoring system.

Luminate (formerly Quansic) was originally selected due to its unique expertise in aggregating, normalizing, and enriching complex music industry data sourced from a limited number of authoritative providers. Market research conducted by CRTC staff has confirmed that no other supplier possesses a comparable combination of specialized data, proprietary identifiers, and technical expertise required to deliver these services. This situation has not changed following Quansic’s acquisition by Luminate; all personnel, tools, and methodologies were retained and further strengthened.

The proposed procurement will allow the continuation of data normalization and enrichment services and the implementation of enhancements to the existing tool. These enhancements are required to support the publication of a public music database identifying Canadian content attributes such as language of performance, musical subcategories, artist emergence, and Indigenous identity. Luminate owns or controls the proprietary technologies underpinning the existing system, including identifiers and reconciliation processes that cannot be replicated or transferred to another supplier.

There are no reasonable alternative sources of supply capable of assuming this work. A change in supplier would require redeveloping the system from scratch, leading to prohibitive costs, significant delays, and a near complete disruption of radio monitoring operations. Such a transition, occurring shortly before the planned launch of the public database, would place the project at risk and negatively impact broadcasters who rely on this data to meet regulatory requirements.

The proposed pricing remains consistent with the current contract, with negotiations focused on workload definition and prioritization rather than rate increases. Given the proprietary nature of the solution, the absence of viable alternatives, and the significant operational and program delivery risks associated with a supplier change, a sole-source contract with Luminate is justified and necessary.

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10. Government Contracts Regulations Exemption(s)

This procurement invokes an exemption under the Government Contracts Regulations on the basis that only one company is capable of performing the work.

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11. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Luminate owns and controls the intellectual property, proprietary technologies, and methodologies underpinning the data visualization tool developed under Contract 24 0006, as well as the data normalization and enrichment processes integrated into the system. This includes proprietary identifiers, reconciliation algorithms, database architecture, and integration mechanisms used to link and enhance music industry data from multiple authoritative sources. The tool and its core components cannot be transferred, licensed, or replicated by another supplier without Luminate’s participation. As a result, only Luminate is able to maintain, enhance, and further develop the existing system without requiring redevelopment from the ground up, making it the sole viable supplier for the continuation of this work.

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12. Period of the Proposed Contract

The proposed contract is for a period of three years, from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029.

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13. Cost Estimate of the Proposed Contract

The estimated value of the contract, including options, is $664,842.50 (Applicable taxes excluded).

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14. Name and Address of the Pre-Identified Supplier

Luminate Data LLC, 5670 Wilshire Blvd, floor 11, Los Angelas, United States, 90036

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15. Suppliers’ Right to Submit a Statement of Capabilities

Bidders may submit a statement of capabilities demonstrating how they meet the requirements outlined in this notice. Submissions must be received in writing by the contact provided below.

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16. Closing Date for Submissions

All statements of capabilities must be submitted by February 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST.

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17. Contact Information

For inquiries and to submit statements of capabilities, please contact:

Gan-Ochir Battumur
Approvisionnements-Procurements@crtc.gc.ca

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

• Exclusive Rights