Bidding Process

Eligibility Criteria

Summary

• access the Supplier Registration Information (SRI);
• refer to publications such as telephone books and trade directories;
• maintain their own Source Lists of companies (see the document Registering as a Supplier);
• publicly advertise their requirements using the MERX - Electronic Tendering Service.

PWGSC uses several methods to solicit bids such as:

• Telephone buy (T-buy)

The department uses these for small competitive purchases valued at under $5 000 when it gets a requisition for something that can be easily identified over the phone and must be delivered quickly. The PWGSC officer phones at least three companies including the last successful company from its source lists. They give their bids over the phone. The one that offers the lowest price and fulfills all of the terms of the requirement wins the contract.

• Request for Quotation (RFQ)

PWGSC normally sends out RFQs when a requisition is received for goods and services valued at less than $25 000. The bid documents are kept simple so that the contract can be awarded quickly.

• Invitation to Tender (ITT)

PWGSC sends out ITTs to bidders when the opportunity is worth $25 000 or more and has fairly straightforward requirements, such as a request for off-the-shelf goods. The lowest-priced responsive bid, (the lowest bid that complies with all the mandatory requirements specified in the ITT document) will be awarded the contract.

• Request for Proposal (RFP)

A Request for Proposal, while generally used for requirements of $25 000 or more, is often employed for purchases where the selection of a supplier cannot be made solely on the basis of the lowest price. An RFP is used to procure the most cost-effective solution based upon evaluation criteria identified in the RFP (see the document Request for Proposal - RFP).

• Request for Standing Offer (RFSO)

This bid method is very different from the others. When PWGSC sets up a standing offer with your company, you're offering to provide a given product or service at a specified price during a certain time period. Standing offers are not contracts.

If and when the government issues a call-up against your standing offer, then you have a contract (see the document Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements).

For more information on the bidding process, please contact the Contracts Canada Information Centre or your local PWGSC office.

• Registering as a Supplier
• Request for Proposal - RFP
• Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements
• MERX: Electronic Tendering Service
• Supplier Registration Information (SRI)

• Bidding Process
• Business Access Canada

Ontario Contact(s):
Ms. Patricia Darling
Regional Coordinator
Ontario Region CADC
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Room 480
33 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, Ontario  L5B 2N5
Telephone: (905) 615-2033
Fax: (905) 615-2113
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-5378 (in Ontario)
E-mail: patti.darling@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca