Request for Proposals: Technology Infrastructure Strategy and Operations Master Plan – Inuit Nunangat University

Project Overview

Set to launch services in 2030, Inuit Nunangat University (INU) is a new post-secondary institution serving Inuit students, researchers, and communities across the four regions of Inuit Nunangat — Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. INU will initially feature a main hub campus serving 100-200 students, and a network of 3-4 regional Knowledge Centres across the four regions to reach students in even the most remote communities.

We are seeking proposals from experienced consultants or firms to develop a comprehensive Technology Infrastructure Strategy and Operations Master Plan (the Plan) to guide our technology and connectivity investments over the next decade. The plan will be foundational to supporting our academic programming, research, and community engagement, and will reflect Inuit self-determination, cultural relevance, and the realities of connectivity in northern and remote regions.

Background

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)

ITK is the national representational organization for Canada’s 70,000 Inuit, the majority of whom live in four regions, including the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). Collectively, these four regions make up Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada. Inuit Nunangat includes 51 communities and encompasses roughly 40 percent of Canada’s landmass and more than 72 percent of its coastline.

The comprehensive land claim agreements that have been settled in Inuit Nunangat form a core component of ITK’s mandate. These land claims have the status of protected treaties under the Constitution. ITK remains committed to working in partnership with the Crown to fully implement these land claims. Consistent with its founding purpose, ITK represents the rights and interests of Inuit at the national level through a democratic governance structure that represents all Inuit regions.

ITK advocates for policies, programs and services that impact the health, social, cultural, political and environmental issues facing Inuit today. ITK is governed by a Board of Directors that is composed of the following members:

• Chair and CEO, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC)
• President, Makivvik
• President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI)
• President, Nunatsiavut Government

In addition to voting members, the following non-voting permanent participant representatives also sit on the Board:

• President, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
• President, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
• President, National Inuit Youth Council

ITK Working Group Background

The INU Task Force is the leading advisory committee, providing strategic guidance on university development and community engagements. Its sub-committee, the INU Academic Council, serves as a technical forum to support consultants in their work, ensuring alignment with the university’s vision, mission, and research and academic goals. Members of both bodies represent key stakeholders across the Inuit Nunangat University network, and jointly oversee project activities with ITK, providing input on and reviewing all consultant deliverables.

Scope of Work

The successful proponent will develop a unified Master Plan for INU that guides both long-term vision and day-to-day implementation. The work must support multi-campus delivery across Inuit Nunangat, enable hybrid and land-based learning, and reflect Inuit self-determination in technology governance and use.

The successful proponent will:

• Develop a phased roadmap for INU’s technology infrastructure, including, centralized and remote campus networks, data systems, and security frameworks.
• Recommend standards and governance for enterprise systems, classroom technologies, and digital services.
• Ensure solutions address remote, low-bandwidth, and Inuit community realities, including support for Inuktut and multilingual user environments.
• Provide costed operational plans, including staffing models, training pathways, and resource requirements for both centralized and community-based sites.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and partnerships with governments, telecom providers, and northern communities.

The work will include, but not be limited to:

1. Assessment

• With support from INU committees, conduct needs assessments remotely with students, faculty, Elders, researchers, administrators, and community partners across Inuit Nunangat.
• Map relevant communities’ current and planned digital and communications infrastructure, including federal, territorial, and private-sector telecommunications capacity. (Four relevant communities will be provided once contract is signed.)
• Benchmark INU against northern, distributed, land-based, and hybrid institutions to identify scalable models.

1. Strategy, Design & Operational Planning

The proponent will integrate strategic direction with operational design:

Strategic Planning

• Define the target state for INU’s digital ecosystem, including alignment with INU’s academic, cultural, research, and land-based learning priorities.
• Establish guiding principles rooted in Inuit knowledge, digital sovereignty, and self-determination.

Systems & Architecture Design

• Develop an integrated network and systems architecture blueprint (wired, wireless, satellite, and cloud).
• Recommend technology standards for classrooms, labs, administrative operations, and hybrid learning.
• Integrate planning for digital libraries, research data environments, student information systems, learning management systems, and community knowledge-sharing platforms.

Operational Model

• Define staffing roles, service delivery models, and support processes for centralized and distributed campus sites.
• Plan for user training, digital literacy support, and accessibility in Inuktut and other languages.
• Develop risk management and continuity strategies ensuring reliable connectivity and community accessibility.

1. Governance & Policy

• Propose data governance, cybersecurity, procurement, and sustainability policies that reflect Inuit self-determination.
• Identify best practices for shared services between the hub campus and Knowledge Centres.

1. Budget & Phasing

• Provide multi-year cost projections for infrastructure, operations, and staffing. (More details on student and staff enrollment will be provided after contact is signed.)
• Develop an implementation roadmap with milestones and priorities.

1. Final Report

• Deliver a comprehensive Technology Infrastructure Strategy and Operations Master Plan including executive summary and presentation to the Inuit Nunangat University Task Force and Interim Governing Board.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should include:

• Company Profile and Team CVs
• Relevant Experience & References (at least three comparable projects)
• Work Plan & Methodology, including approach to stakeholder engagement across multiple regions
• Budget & Pricing (fixed fee or time-and-materials with ceiling price)
• Risk Mitigation and contingency strategies

Selection Criteria and Process

An evaluation committee composed of representatives from ITK’s contracts unit, Policy Advancement department, and Finance department will assess proposals on the following:

• Demonstrated experience in higher education IT strategy or large-scale public sector digital infrastructure planning.
• Knowledge of Inuit, Indigenous, northern, or remote connectivity challenges is a strong asset.
• At least 10 years of experience in technology planning, systems architecture, and enterprise IT.
• Capacity to engage with multiple stakeholder groups, including Inuit governance.
• Ability to deliver reports in English and to integrate Inuktut terminology and considerations.

Shortlisted proponents may be invited to virtual interviews before contract award.

ITK requests all submission be through Responsive.io. Link is provided below:

app.rfpio.com/survey/public/65b7a6959e97ba79ded5b5aa_69432d685d1e093d48926622/Technology-Infrastructure-Strategy-and-Operations-Master-Plan—Inuit-Nunangat-University

Contact Information

Issue Date: December 19, 2025
Closing Date: February 12, 2026
Contact for Questions/Submissions: contracts@itk.ca