Registering as a Supplier

Eligibility Criteria

Summary

Why register as a supplier?

For the most part, federal government buyers use MERX for higher dollar value requirements and purchases that are subject to any of the trade agreements. For low-dollar value buys they use telephone and trade directories as well as databases developed by their departments. However, Contracts Canada has a database of registered suppliers that can be used by all federal government buyers.

The Supplier Registration Information (SRI) service

This database is a directory of vendors who want to do business with the federal government. With SRI, registration can be done via the Internet without having to contact a Contracts Canada representative. However, if you do not have Internet access, you can still contact the Contracts Canada Information Centre to arrange for registration (see below).

SRI is a government-wide database accessible to all federal government buyers and administrative officers so you only have to register once for buyers to be able to access your information.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is now using SRI as the link to its own databases. When you register in SRI, the information becomes available to the various databases that are used by the department depending on the type of products and services you sell:

• VIM (Vendor Information Management) system:
  This database is used to identify sources of supply for most products and services. Buyers can use VIM to generate lists of vendors who will be invited to bid for certain low-dollar value goods and services requirements. Note that professional services are generally purchased by individual departments often through MERX.
  

• SELECT system
  SELECT contains lists of pre-qualified real property firms (such as architects, engineers and construction trade contractors) identified by their expertise and the services they provide. When there is a requirement for any of these services, SELECT matches the specifics of the requirement with firms having the required expertise that are within a geographic range and have the least points of opportunity. In order to register with SELECT, firms and individuals first require a Procurement Business Number (PBN) which can be obtained by registering in the Supplier Registration Information (SRI) service.

PWGSC regional offices use these databases the most for low-dollar value requirements while the department's headquarters purchasing organizations are using them less and less. Instead, these groups are depending more on MERX.

What about connections to other government databases?

Contracts Canada will be working with other departments and agencies to link information in SRI to lists and databases they have. In the meantime, their buyers can use SRI as an alternative or supplement to their existing systems.

What do I need to know about registering?

There are several things you should be aware of when registering as a supplier with the federal government:

• Once you have registered in SRI, information may be required for other systems. The amount and type of information depends on the requirements of a department or purchasing organization and whether  there is a requirement for pre-qualifying firms before their registration is considered complete. However, for many products and services the information that is provided in SRI is all that is required.
   

• Registering in SRI and other databases is only one step in the process. Just because you are listed does not mean you will automatically get a contract. You should promote your company and your goods or services to contacts in government departments. They may suggest you as a supplier, possibly giving you a chance to bid.  
  

• Make sure you keep your listing up to date. If you change your company name, address product lines or services, make sure to amend the information through SRI.
  

• When you receive an invitation to bid, respond. You don't have to bid, but you should let the department know why you won't be bidding. By doing this you let the buyer know that you can still supply the products or services but are not in a position to submit a bid at this time.

• MERX: Electronic Tendering Service
• Registering as a Supplier

• Business Access Canada

Alberta Contact(s):
Ms. Fran Weekes
Client Services Representative
Western Region
Public Works and Government Services Canada
5th Floor
Telus Plaza North
10025 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 1S6
Telephone: (780) 497-3682
Fax: (780) 497-3510
E-mail: fran.weekes@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

British Columbia Contact(s):
Ms. Shamim Jivani
Client Supplier Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
641-800 Burrard St.
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6Z 2V8
Telephone: (604) 666-1902
Fax: (604) 666-3063
E-mail: shamim.jivani@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Manitoba Contact(s):
Mrs. Lucille Mahon
Client Services Officer
Public Works and Government Services Canada
1410 Mountain Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R2X 3B4
Telephone: (204) 983-0047
Fax: (202) 983-7796
E-mail: lucille.mahon@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Mrs. Danielle Babineau
Corporate and Operational Services Officer
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Unit 108, Lobby C, 1st Floor
1045 Main Street
Moncton, New Brunswick  E1C 1H1
Telephone: (506) 851-3467
Fax: (506) 851-6759
E-mail: danielle.babineau@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Newfoundland & Labrador Contact(s):
Mr. Art Rice
Public Works and Government Services Canada
6th Floor, Phase II, Cabot Place
10 Barter's Hill
P.O. Box 4600
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador  A1C 5T2
Telephone: (709) 772-4392
Fax: (709) 772-4603
E-mail: art.rice@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Northwest Territories Contact(s):
Ms. Fran Weekes
Client Services Representative
Western Region
Public Works and Government Services Canada
5th Floor
Telus Plaza North
10025 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 1S6
Telephone: (780) 497-3682
Fax: (780) 497-3510
E-mail: fran.weekes@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Mrs. Margot Campbell
Client/Supplier Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
1713 Bedford Row
P.O. Box 2247
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 3C9
Telephone: (902) 496-5452
Fax: (902) 496-5016
Toll-free (information):   
E-mail: margot.campbell@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

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

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
Mrs. Danielle Babineau
Corporate and Operational Services Officer
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Unit 108, Lobby C, 1st Floor
1045 Main Street
Moncton, New Brunswick  E1C 1H1
Telephone: (506) 851-3467
Fax: (506) 851-6759
E-mail: danielle.babineau@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Quebec Contact(s):
Mr. Denis Arsenault
Marketing Specialist
Contracts Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Suite 240, Champlain Harbour Station
901 du Cap Diamant Street
Québec, Quebec  G1K 4K1
Telephone: (418) 649-2871
Fax: (418) 649-2833
E-mail: denis.arsenault@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://contractscanada.gc.ca/en/index.html

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Mr. Dick Lamb
Supplier Promotion Program Coordinator
Client Services
Supply Operations Service
Public Works and Government Services Canada
3rd Floor
1942 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 3V7
Telephone: (306) 780-5591
Fax: (306) 780-5601
E-mail: dick.lamb@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Yukon Contact(s):
Mrs. Diane Balmforth
Client Service Centre -Yukon
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Room 105
300 Main Street
Whitehorse, Yukon  Y1A 2B5
Telephone: (867) 667-3947
Fax: (867) 393-6707
E-mail: diane.balmforth@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca

Nunavut Contact(s):
See National Contact.