The Department of National Defence (DND) Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) launched a national request for information (RFI) to seek input from legal professionals and law firms across Canada.

This RFI is part of the next phase of the Independent Legal Assistance (ILA) Program, which aims to improve access to legal services for individuals affected by sexual misconduct connected to the DND or the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Your participation in this RFI will support DND’s internal decision-making process, including the development of the future Request for Standing Offer that would create a national roster of qualified legal professionals to provide the aforementioned legal services to SMSRC clients.  The goal is to ensure the legal assistance model reflects the realities, capacities, and interest of legal professionals across jurisdictions. To better understand this RFI, we are inviting you to read the one-pager attached to this email.

If you agree to participate in this RFI, you will be asked to consult the RFI document (including annex A and B) available online, and to draft a text that provides feedback outlined in annex B, including:

• A brief corporate profile
• Indication of your interest and capacity to deliver services as outlined in the draft requirements
• Feedback on the proposed service model, including any constraints, ranking methodology, and pricing structure

Once you have drafted your responses, please send them by email to SMSRCProcurement-ContractingCSRIS@forces.gc.ca before September 12, 2025. DND will acknowledge receipt of emails, but please make sure to confirm that your full RFI submission has been received before the closing deadline.

Please note that participation in the RFI is voluntary, non-binding, and intended solely for consultation purposes. Respondents may identify portions of their submission as confidential, and all information will be treated with discretion for planning purposes only. Responding to the RFI does not constitute a bid, nor is it required to participate in any future procurement process.

We sincerely appreciate your consideration in contributing to this important initiative, which may help improve access to independent legal assistance for individuals affected by sexual misconduct in a DND/CAF context.

View the one pager here.

Posted: 18 August 2025