The Sous-secrétariat aux marchés publics

The Sous-secrétariat aux marchés publics ensures rigorous management of contracts and material resources for Québec's public service. To do so, it:

• coordinates enforcement of the public procurement policy;
• implements regulations and procedures, and produces guides;
• participates in the negotiation and follow-up of agreements aimed at a more open public procurement process;
• studies specific authorization requests of government departments and agencies in keeping with government contracting objectives;
• offers government departments and agencies training on the contract awarding process;
• meets twice annually with the secretaries of selection committees (french).

Further, the Sous-secrétariat helps to modernize the State. To do so, it:

• proposes streamlining that promotes government department and agency accountability;
• helps analyze strategic plans, performance and accountability agreements, and management agreements related to contracts and material resources;
• studies the feasibility of submitting bids by Internet or using electronic bidding for certain contracts;
• reviews means of solicitation and payment linked to contract management.

The Sous-secrétariat also informs and assists its clientele. To do so, it:

• offers all public purchasers a telephone consultation (french) service;
• makes sample tender documents available to public purchasers;
• organizes training and information sessions;
• releases the Info-marchés publics (french) newsletter;
• takes part in business fairs, congresses and exhibitions;
• informs suppliers about how to do business with government departments and agencies (french).

Finally, the Sous-secrétariat is attentive to its clientele's needs. To do so, it:

• evaluates the problems experienced by work providers and suppliers’ associations and, with them, envisages solutions;
• consults work providers before defining regulations governing them;
• consults suppliers and suppliers' associations before defining regulations by publishing them in the Gazette officielle du Québec.