IDRC Step Change Final Evaluation 2026: Apply for the 9-Month Program Evaluation Contract Before May 20

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has officially opened applications for the Step Change Final Evaluation under Solicitation Number 26270002, inviting qualified teams to submit proposals for a comprehensive evaluation of the Step Change Program.

This procurement opportunity is ideal for consulting firms, research institutions, evaluation experts, and organizations with strong experience in program assessment, development evaluation, and impact measurement.

The selected team will be responsible for conducting the final evaluation of the Step Change program based on the requirements outlined in the official Statement of Work.

Opportunity Summary

• Opportunity Title: Step Change Final Evaluation
• Solicitation Number: 26270002
• Organization: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Publication Date: April 23, 2026
• Last Amendment Date: April 27, 2026
• Closing Date: May 20, 2026
• Closing Time: 13:00 EDT
• Status: Open
• Proposed Start Date: July 1, 2026
• Contract Duration: 9 Months

About the Assignment

IDRC is seeking proposals from a qualified evaluation team to undertake the final evaluation of the Step Change Program, a strategic initiative requiring a detailed review of implementation, outcomes, effectiveness, and lessons learned.

The successful contractor will deliver evaluation services as described in the official Statement of Work and provide recommendations that will support future programming and decision-making.

This opportunity presents a valuable chance for organizations specializing in:

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• International Development
• Gender and Social Inclusion Programs
• Research and Policy Analysis
• Program Impact Assessment
• Final Project Evaluations

Trade Agreement Information

This procurement falls under the:

• Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

The notice states that there is no reason for limited tendering, meaning the opportunity is open for eligible bidders under standard procurement procedures.

Partnering Opportunity for Businesses

Businesses interested in collaborating on this tender may partner with other organizations to strengthen their proposals.

CanadaBuys provides a partnership listing feature where companies can indicate their interest in teaming up for this opportunity.

However, this does not replace the formal bidding process. All interested organizations must still submit their proposals and meet the required evaluation criteria.

Available Tender Documents

Applicants can access the following official documents:

1. RFP26270002 Step Change Final Evaluation (English)

Primary English Request for Proposal document outlining full submission requirements.

2. DDP26270002 Évaluation du programme Activer le changement (French)

French version of the tender documentation.

3. Amendment Document (English and French)

Contains updates and modifications issued on April 27, 2026.

Reviewing all amendment documents is essential before submission.

Eligibility and Submission Information

Government of Canada tender notices and solicitation documents are:

• Fully accessible
• Available free of charge
• No registration required on CanadaBuys

Applicants are strongly encouraged to access documents directly from the official CanadaBuys platform to ensure they are using the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Third-party sources may distribute tender notices earlier, but the Government of Canada is not responsible for documents accessed outside the official CanadaBuys portal.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Winning this contract offers:

• International consulting exposure
• Collaboration with IDRC and Government of Canada procurement systems
• High-value professional evaluation work
• Strong portfolio enhancement for consulting and research firms
• Opportunity to influence future development programming

For evaluation professionals and firms, this is a strong opportunity to secure a high-impact international assignment.

CLICK HERE ON THE BIDDING DETAILS

Final Deadline

Submit your proposal before:

May 20, 2026 at 13:00 EDT

Late submissions may not be considered, so early preparation is strongly recommended.

Pro Tip for Applicants

Carefully review the amendment document before preparing your proposal. Many applicants miss important updates released after the initial posting, which can affect eligibility, technical requirements, or submission instructions.

Also, if your firm lacks some required expertise, consider forming a strategic partnership with another qualified organization to strengthen your bid.

The IDRC Step Change Final Evaluation 2026 is a strong consulting and procurement opportunity for organizations with expertise in evaluation, development programming, and impact assessment.

With a 9-month contract period and an internationally recognized client, this tender provides both professional visibility and meaningful work.

Interested teams should begin preparing early and ensure full compliance with the RFP requirements before the May 20 deadline.