The Government of Canada–a $15 Billion Market
Public Works and Government Services Canada niches small-medium sized enterprises to ensure that government procurement is cost-effective, accountable, and responsible. Working with the federal government is a three stage process introduced below and further detailed in this blog.
Government purchasing thresholds
- Up to $5,000–credit card ordering discretion per department
- Up to $25,000–Contracts Canada http://contractscanada.gc.ca/
- $25,000-$76,500–MERX www.merx.com
- $100,000+–international trade forum
- $250,000–overseas trade forum
- British Columbia Procurement & Supply Services
Outreach & Registration
Learning about the government procurement process is made available by regional seminars throughout Canada. Small Business BC hosts the three-stage seminar process of engaging the services, working with MERX, and detailing the Request for Proposal (RFP) procedures.
- Step 1–Registration http://contractscanada.gc.ca/en/regist-e.htm
- click Start Registration, click Continue.
- enter your Business Number, click Continue.
- the Canada Revenue Agency will email back with your Procurement Business Number (PBN)
- go back to the link above, click Finish Registration
- enter your procurement number, username, and password
- Step 2–Exploring MERX http://www.merx.com/
- click Register
- after accepting Terms & Conditions, click Next Step
- above the Organization Information banner , click “here“
- enter your PBN and your company legal name
- click Query SRI.
- To learn more about MERX, click here for the supplier tutorial.
- Step 3–Shortcut resources to Contracts Canada http://contractscanada.gc.ca
- Contacts–Department Materials Managers
- Procurement Allocation Directory –”Who buys what at PWGSC?”
- Contract History–3 year roster on all federal government departments
Contract History in Contracts Canada serves as a resource for market research, contract pricing, and a list of who won the contract bid. In some instances, you may be able to subcontract from the bid winner. This allows you to participate in the bidding procedures at an arms-length, side-stepping the administrative qualifications related to bid participation.
MERX has several categories administering the procurement roster:
- Invitation to Tender (ITT)—opportunities over $25,000. Lowest bid process to meet the mandatory requirements. Used for construction (road, concrete, etc.)
- Request for Standing Offer (RFSO)—non-contract request for industry to provide products/services at set prices during a certain time period
- Advanced Contract Award Notice (ACAN)—opportunities proposed and awarded to a single contractor. Potential suppliers submit statement of capabilities. Potential suppliers have 15 days to submit the statement.
- Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA)—bids solicited from a pool of pre-screened suppliers used for commodities that are purchased regularly. See Professional Services.
- Request for Quotation (RFQ)—requirements under $25,000 including phone bids. To form a contract, there must be an offer and acceptance. (telephone/email buy)
- Request for Proposal (RFP)—requirements of $25,000 or more used for purchases where the selection criteria cannot be made solely on lowest price criteria.
For more infomation, see the seminar roster available as SmallBusnessBC.
