The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises

OSME Objectives

OSME provides two types of support for those SMEs wishing to do business with the government. The Office assists SMEs as they navigate the government procurement system. The Office will also work within the government to ensure the procurement system treats SMEs fairly.

OSME will continue to strengthen access to government business for SMEs through collaboration with industry associations and individual businesses on training, information, development of support tools, and through participation in procurement policy changes. OSME will also work with SME organisations to share information on forming joint venture consortia to access major government contracts.

The Office will follow the Industry Canada SME definition in pursuing its work. Given the considerable overlap between this definition, the Office will also consider government procurement from two other groups: Aboriginal businesses and the regional profile of the government's supplier base.

OSME Mandate & Functions

First, the Office assists SMEs as they navigate the government procurement system, by:

• Helping SMEs comply with and understand the government's procurement processes;
• Acting as an ombudsman for SMEs;
• Providing information to SMEs, using the "Supplier Seminar Program";
• Attending business trade shows;
• Organizing special events in order to help SMEs; and,
• Scheduling more information sessions in partnership with chambers of commerce and various SME associations.

Second, the Office works within the government to ensure the procurement system treats SMEs fairly and equally, by:

• Analyzing SME access to and performance in government business;
• Reviewing SME participation on all major crown procurements (over $10m);
• Participating on the new government commodity councils to develop more effective procurement strategies; and,
• Proposing improvements to procurement processes.