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Given the recent call for proposals for cloth masks in Ontario, our Canadian charity (whose major project is @Donate A Mask Project Canada) is attempting to bid with proper N95 masks. Here's a live thread of the process 1/x

First problem on portal registration: The Ontario tenders portal requires agreement to terms of service from a US company: "This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA". Not kool. 2/x
Next up, this beautiful list of "related" UNSPSC project categories... Putting aside that Ontario probably doesn't want companies that sell "cleaning rags" bidding on this, "clothing rental", paraphrasing Monty Python, should be "right out". 3/x
A screenshot of the UNSPSC project categories for project title Non-Medical Grade Reusable Cloth masks that lists, amongst others, 91101800 - Clothing rental. A red square has been added for emphasis around that entry.
As soon as we clicked "express interest", we received a "message" to complete a "vendor survey" to give feedback on the experience of this procurement. "Ontario We value your feedback!" This is going to be fun! Surveymonkey link inspires much confidence in feedback process! 4/x
A screenshot of a website message dated Sep 23 2022 at 09:04. The message says "Ontario We value your feedback!" followed by a request to fill out a survey on surveymonkey.
Page 27 (of 45) reveals this gem: They're not asking for /cloth masks/. They're asking for cloth masks with a filter in the middle. This is a whole new level of strange we weren't previously aware of. 5/x
A screen shot of a section of a document titled 1.3.1 Specifications. It reads: A. Fabric.  Cloth Masks must be made of 3 layers; 2 layers of tightly woven breathable fabric (like cotton) and a third, middle layer of filter-type fabric (like non-woven polypropylene) to improve filtration. Cloth Mask does not contain latex and/or nanoform graphene.
There aren't many "adjustable ear loops" on the market and the data show ear loops do not provide an effective amount of pressure for seal. But it's cloth, so who cares. "Tightly woven cotton" + "easy breathing while active" don't go together. Nonsense. 6/x
A screenshot of a document that reads: Adjustable ear loops must be affixed to all Cloth Masks to assure a comfortable fit - not requiring frequent adjustments.  When wearing, the Cloth Mask allows for easy breathing without restriction for a range of tasks from sedentary (e.g., desk work) to active (e.g., students running around playground.)
Wait, they want filter material to withstand 30 hot water washes? Bwah? This is absolute horseshit. And they care more about the resistance of the "stitching" than the filtration effectiveness and how destroyed it is by washing? Someone copy-pasted a uniform procurement RFP. 7/x
A screenshot of a document whose text reads: All components in the Cloth Mask will withstand at least 30 washes in hot water (minimum 40 degrees Celsius) without shrinking and without material degradation in structural constructs (e.g. stitching).
And last, but far from least, "must fit snugly to all 7-12 year olds and 'small adults' but we won't provide dimensions you must guess or lose the bid." This is just silly. 8/x
A screenshot from a document that reads: 12. Please  Please provide mask dimensions (height, width) required for below sizes 
Child sized (4–6 year old), Youth sized (7–12 year old), Adult small, Adult large Specific dimensions are not provided by the Ministry. The Bidder must supply Cloth Masks sized appropriately that fit snugly, but comfortably, against the side of the face and cover the mouth and nose for each of the specified targeted groups (i.e., Child, Youth, Adult - small & Adult – large) as listed in the Part-3 The Deliverables 
section, 1.3.1.B. Size and Fit, of the RFB.
Given the above our Canadian charity has no choice but to decline to respond to the RFx. We entered the following reason. 9/Fin
A screenshot of a website with a box for "Enter Decline to Respond Reason Details": Cloth masks are inappropriate for children and adults to protect against airborne pathogens like COVID-19.  They may create a false sense of safety that ends up with even greater harm.  Sealed masks of N95 or comparable Health Canada standards should be the ones procured for actual safety.  We cannot in good conscience participate in this bid as it would be unethical for our organization to support this false sense of safety. We implore the government to withdraw and reissue this RFx once corrected.
Evidence-Based Social Enterprises Canada
A Canadian #charity focused on alleviating #poverty, #AnimalWelfare, and protecting #health using evidence-based policy approaches. RT/Follow ≠ endorsement.
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