Content Creator Application FAQ

A Request For Qualifications (RFQ) is the process by which an organization such as Destination BC advertises the need to establish a list of pre-qualified suppliers to assist them on an as-needed basis to support the work of the organization. An RFQ process establishes a list of pre-Qualified Suppliers who have demonstrated they have the capability to provide services to Destination BC by satisfying any conditions advertised as part of an application and evaluation process. Destination BC follows procurement policies and procedures outlined by the Province of BC.   

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is used when there is a need for a specific product or service, and one individual or company is selected and used on an ongoing basis to provide that service. An example of this would be Destination BC issuing an RFP for a digital marketing agency. Destination BC would work directly with the one individual or company selected for a specified term to deliver that particular product or service.

This is a document that outlines the business conditions of the work being advertised for, and includes information on the specific service required by Destination BC, timelines of the process and the work, the collection and use of information as part of the application process, the evaluation criteria and questions, and how an organization will use the list of pre-qualified suppliers, once it is established.

It is important for anyone considering applying to an RFQ that you understand the business conditions associated with the work prior to submitting your application. Reading and understanding the Terms & Conditions ensures you have full knowledge of how Destination BC would work with you, if you were added to the list of Pre-Qualified suppliers.

We understand that this document is long and includes technical wording. To assist you while reviewing this information, there is a list of definitions beginning on page 5. If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].

Destination BC will review all applications submitted by the initial deadline listed, also known as the Initial Intake Closing Date and Time. After this date, applications can be submitted year-round as part of a Continual Intake until the end of the RFQ period. RFQ lists are generally valid for a set period and their end date is outlined in the Terms and Conditions. Destination BC will review applications a minimum of two times per year. Applications received after the initial deadline will be evaluated in the next evaluation cycle, roughly six months later.

When an RFQ list expires, Destination BC will reassess its needs, potentially update requirements, and may issue a new RFQ. If you are successfully added to the list of pre-qualified suppliers, your name will remain on the RFQ list until the end of the RFQ period. If you choose to, you would need to reapply when an RFQ list is refreshed, or renewed.

If you are unable to apply using either email or the online application portal, please email [email protected] and we will work with you to find an alternative.

Procurement policy for the Province of BC outlines that if the value of a contract to be awarded is greater than $25,000, and there is more than one Qualified Supplier on the pre-qualified list has the availability and necessary qualifications to carry out the project, Destination BC may use a competitive process between a minimum of three qualified suppliers. In this situation, Destination may request a supplier’s proposed approach to the project, pricing and other information required in order to select the Supplier.

In the application form, you can indicate your preference as to whether or not you allow Destination BC to share your name and contact information with other organizations. Other organizations that Destination BC could potentially share your name with include Ministries with the Province of BC, Crown Corporations, Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (RDMOs), Community Destination Marketing Organizations (CDMOs) and Provincial Sector organizations.

BC is divided into six tourism regions. Five are managed by Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs) in partnership with Destination BC. One is managed by Destination BC directly. CDMOs are Community Destination Management organizations representing small and large communities throughout BC that promote tourism at the community level. You can find more information on Regional and Community DMOs here.

No, you do not have to live in either BC, or Canada. However, if you are selected for a project, it is your responsibility to travel to BC in order to perform the work. 

This depends on the work associated with a particular RFQ. Some business requirements, such as photography and videography, require the contractor to be in BC to conduct the work.

Yes! We encourage you to apply for more than one RFQ opportunity if you have the background and skillset and believe you can meet the RFQ requirements. A contractor, or business, can be part of more than one list of Pre-Qualified suppliers.

Destination BC may require a Security Clearance for a contractor if the work they are to perform on Destination BC’s behalf puts them in contact with a vulnerable community. An example of this could be working with children or an Indigenous community. This would be determined on a project by project basis. If you are not comfortable completing a Security Clearance, you can decline this particular project. This would not impact your opportunity for future work. A security clearance is not part of the application process. It would only be requested of someone who is selected for the Pre-Qualified Supplier list.

If the terms of an RFQ is modified during the term of that RFQ, Destination BC will notify all contractors on the pre-Qualified list to ensure they have the most up to date information. In addition, the updated RFQ will be posted on the corporate website.

The evaluation team, and potentially a contractor, if one has been hired to manage a particular RFQ evaluation process, will have access to the information you submit as part of your application. 

Information submitted via the Destination BC website is stored in Canada on a secure Amazon Web Services (AWS) Web Server database. 

RFQ lists, once established, are stored in a secure Shared Drive system owned and maintained by Destination BC. Only Destination BC employees are granted access to the Shared Drives for the organization. The information kept on an RFQ list include your legal name, company name, preferred name, pronouns (if provided to us in the application), identity dimension (if you choose to provide this to us in the application), contact details and rates.

Yes! We encourage passionate content creators to apply to work with us. You can do this as your full time job, or as a hobby. If it is not your full-time job, and you are selected for a project, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are available to work during the timeframe required by Destination BC.

If you do not have this specific experience, please tell us about other opportunities you have had where you have coordinated the work of a large number of people, or different organizations, at the same time.

No. We ask for pricing to be provided as part of the application form so we have this on file if you are successfully added to the pre-qualified supplier list. While we ask for pricing information in the application, it is not part of the response that is evaluated. The price indicated does not affect your application score, or whether you are added to the list of Pre-Qualified suppliers or not.

Destination BC cannot offer advice on how to establish your rates, here are some resources you could consider consulting:

Small Business BC

WorkBC

The rate you provide as part of the application process will be used by Destination BC, and partners, as a guideline for any future potential contracts. You are expected to hold the rate for at least the first year of the RFQ term. After this time, a reasonable price increase can be provided to Destination BC in writing for approval.

Great question! You can find lots of information about Destination BC, our mandate, corporate strategy and our work, on our corporate website. In addition to this corporate information, you can also find more information about the people at Destination BC who you might have the opportunity to work with.

Destination BC issues a large number of RFQs across all divisions of the organization. In order to efficiently respond to the volume and variety of questions received, we centralize communication via the email address [email protected]. This ensures we respond to your questions in a timely manner, and also ensures a consistent response to all applicants, across all RFQ opportunities. If you have specific accessibility needs for communication, please let us know by emailing [email protected] and we will work with you.

The committee that evaluates the applications will vary across divisions and the RFQ that is being evaluated. Generally speaking, there will be a committee of three people, with representation from the department that has issued the RFQ, as the subject matter experts. The committee could also include other Destination BC employees, or contractors. Due to ongoing operational requirements, the composition of the evaluation committee may change.

Destination BC is committed to supporting a healthy workplace for everyone. The DEIA Strategy that has been developed by staff, and adopted by the Executive Team and Board of Directors for implementation, is helping to ensure the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility are embedded in Destination BC’s organizational culture. There are 8 guiding principles that have been developed to help transform the organizational culture at Destination BC. You can read more about this work here.
Destination BC is now Rainbow Registered Ⓡ, an accreditation given to 2SLGBTQI+ friendly spaces. This accreditation signifies an ongoing commitment and effort to provide a warm and accepting experience for 2SLGBTQI+ employees, consumers and suppliers through progressive policies and practices, with a program that stands at the forefront of efforts to promote 2SLGBTQI+ inclusivity in Canada’s tourism industry.

Evaluation criteria are established at the beginning of each RFQ term, and are applied consistently by the committee members during each evaluation period, regardless of who sits on the committee.

Submitting an application to the RFQ is part of a competitive process to establish the list of pre-qualified suppliers and submissions should be your final work. Please read the information thoroughly before applying and email any questions to [email protected].

How Destination BC selects who they will use for a project is detailed in the Use of List section of the Terms & Conditions document, Section 6.1.5.

The selection is based on criteria such as dollar value of the project, as well as specified requirements for that particular project including the deliverables, project milestones, and terms of the contract. Other selection criteria could include a Consultants specific qualifications and availability, based on the general nature of the project.

All applicants selected to be Pre-Qualified Suppliers are added to what is referred to in the Terms & Conditions document as the Main List. New to Destination BC’s RFQ process is the addition of a Specialized List(s) for projects with a specific equity lens. We actively encourage people who identify as IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, people with invisible or visible disabilities and those at the intersection of one or more equity-deserving communities to apply to work with us. In the application process, you are invited to self-identify, should you choose to do so.

If you share this information with us, your name will be added to a Specialized List that Destination BC will use to select consultants if there is a project that aligns with an equity deserving community. The selection criteria for this Specialized List will be similar to the selection criteria for the Main list.

Providing this additional information to Destination BC is entirely optional and does not impact the evaluation of your application.

You are welcome to provide this information to us at any time during the term of the RFQ.

No. Providing this information is voluntary. All successful applicants who are selected as Pre-Qualified Suppliers are added to the Main List used for selection. The Specialized List is used in addition to the Main list, if there is a specific need in a project that aligns with an equity-deserving community.

You are welcome to update your information with us at any time.

Application evaluation times will vary depending on operation requirements of Destination BC and the availability of staff to evaluate applications. Generally speaking, the evaluation and notification process is estimated to take one month.

You may request feedback on your application by emailing the contact information in the RFQ.

The length of the application will vary by RFQ and the specific needs of the business unit issuing the RFQ. As Destination BC is moving to a continuous intake process, the intention is to ask fewer questions that focus specifically on the skills that the applicant can offer. Question formats could vary from short-form responses of 250-500 words to providing a URL that can demonstrate your work.

This will vary by RFQ. As an example, the RFQ for Photography Services could ask an applicant to tell us about your photography experience and provide some examples.

This will vary by RFQ. Each question in the application form will include a brief overview of things Destination BC will take into consideration when evaluating responses to help guide your response.

Please apply. We look for pre-qualified suppliers with a variety of skills and backgrounds to support our work. If you are unsuccessful in your first application, you can reapply at any time using the feedback provided in the debrief email, as well as any additional experience you may have acquired.