KIA posted an RFP for chief returning officer services for its 2026 election. The successful contractor would oversee election administration, including voter-list updates, nomination notices and eligibility review, polling arrangements, ballots, election-day supervision, results and any recounts.

The procurement starts the operational process for a KIA election that will include the vice-president and secretary-treasurer positions, plus community-director seats for Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet and Naujaat. Each listed office carries a four-year term. KIA says the work will cover its seven Kivalliq communities. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

Interested proponents must submit by 12 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. KIA says it expects to notify proponents of the outcome within one month of closing, while the RFP schedule lists an Oct. 15 notice of election, an Oct. 26 call for nominations, Nov. 9 nomination closing and a Dec. 7 advance poll. KIA can award no contract, cancel or reissue the RFP. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The RFP asks for a fixed-price proposal, three independent references and a proposed candidate with election, management and northern/Inuit-community experience. KIA says the first evaluation stage is worth 60 points, including 35 points for cost competitiveness, subject to an Inuit-content adjustment; candidate interview and references make up the remaining 40 points. The selected candidate may need to provide $1 million in commercial-liability insurance and take the election-policy oath or affirmation. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗