Modernize procurement practices.

What success looks like

Government procurement is faster, simpler, more competitive, and more predictable in terms of cost. Businesses with innovative ideas are able to more easily sell to the government, and procurement processes benefit Canadians and communities across Canada.

Government's narrative on progress

The government is improving its procurement processes so that businesses can engage with government in a simpler and faster way. The procurement platform was enhanced so that suppliers have easier access to bidding opportunities and are given a second opportunity to comply with the mandatory requirements of bid solicitations. Steps have also been taken to adopt an agile approach to procurement that provides a fair, transparent and inclusive process open to all businesses across Canada. Budget 2018 announced $196.8 million over five years to establish a new electronic procurement platform, which will also help make government procurement simpler, faster, and more accessible. The government is also making strides to increase bidder diversity. As of the third quarter of this fiscal year, PSPC participated in a total of 1,165 outreach events across Canada reaching over 30,000 individuals to promote how to do business with the Government of Canada. PSPC launched a number of pilots to increase participation of small and diverse suppliers with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses owned or led by women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and indigenous people. These efforts complement initiatives undertaken to better leverage public procurement to support socio-economic goals including improved community and environmental benefits. Better Buying, PSPC’s plan to make procurement processes easier, faster and more accessible for suppliers and buyers, was launched in early March. The plan also outlines how PSPC is using procurement to support under-represented groups and to help address important issues like climate change.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.