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By registering for our Tender Opportunities Notification Service (TONS), you will receive e-mail notifications of public sector procurement opportunities matching the goods and/or services categories you have selected. Each opportunity will provide general information about the tender as well as a link to the Nova Scotia Procurement Web Portal.
TONS is open to all businesses (even those located outside of Nova Scotia) and is now available as part of Nova Scotia's online service for business. The online service provides a single entry point for Nova Scotia businesses and prospective businesses to interact with the provincial government.
Should you have any questions or require further assistance regarding Access to Business, you may contact the Contact Centre at (902) 424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357 between the hours of 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday AST. You may also email the Contact Centre anytime.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO TONS:
Step 1
Go to https://accesstobusiness.snsmr.gov.ns.ca/a2b_web/portal/businessLogin.jsf
Step 2
Click on the ‘Sign up’ button to register or sign in if you have previously registered.
Step 3
Once signed into your Nova Scotia’s online service for business account, click on the ‘Sign up for tender notifications’ link under ‘Top Tasks’.
Step 4
Select ‘Yes’ to receive email notifications of tender opportunities.
Step 5
Enter the email address you want to your notifications to be sent to.
Step 6
Select the categories you would like to subscribe to by checking the box beside the category title. Note: You can expand the category by selecting the arrow to the left of the checkbox.
Step 7
Click the ‘Save and Submit’ button.
Step 8
You will receive a confirmation message in blue at the top of the page indicating that your notification preferences have been saved. Once registered, you will be eligible to receive notices the next business day. Depending on the categories selected, you may not receive anything right away. Notices are sent every day at 6:00 am.
Step 9
Click the ‘Back’ button to return to the home page.
Step 10
When you start to receive the daily email, you will see the summary information for each tender posted for the day. Each summary will contain a URL which will take you to the details page for the tender listing on Procurement Services website. From there, you can download the tender documents or access the contact information for that tender. The service will only notify you on new tender listings, you will not receive any notifications for addendums; it is your responsibility to return to the tender details page to view updates.
Note: At any time you can turn off your email notification by selecting ‘No’ to the message “Do you want to receive email notifications of tender opportunities?”
You will find below the tender categories that are used when posting tender listing.
Tender Category |
EXAMPLES |
Administrative and Business Services |
Printing services, signage services, photographic services, advertising, public relations, audio visual services, graphic design, writing/editing, paper shredding, court reporting, auctioneering, custom brokerage, credit reporting, court reporting, mediation, temp staffing, market research, legal services, procurement |
Aircraft |
Aircraft, aircraft components and accessories, aircraft launching equipment, aircraft landing and ground handling equipment, and related parts |
Alarm, Signal and Security Detection Systems |
Traffic lights, ship signal systems, railroad signals, aircraft alarm, anti-intrusion alarm, foghorns, bells, burgular systems, fire alarms, police alarm systems, security control systems (card scanner, keypad entry device, voice recognition, etc...) |
Ammunition, Explosives, Weapons and Fireworks |
Ammunition, explosives, weapons, fireworks |
Animal, Agricultural and Natural Resources Services |
Animal control, forest fire suppression, aerial spraying, reforestation services, various types of forestry, fisheries, agricultural, mining, petroleum- extraction related services, related pesticide services, well drilling services, wildlife management services, agriculture real estate, veterinary services |
Architectural and Engineering Services |
Architectural design, interior design and engineering services |
Automotive Maintenance and Repair |
Tires, tubes, engine accessories, cooling system components, oil filters, wheel aligners, automotive lifts, brake service equipement |
Books, Publications, Journals and Maps |
Textbooks, novels, journals, handbooks, manuals, pamphlets, newspapers, e-journals, e-subscriptions, maps |
Building Services |
General contracting, fencing, roofing, siding installation, painting, plastering, plumbing services, heating, air conditioning, ventilation services, electrical & mechanical installation, elevator maintenance, masonry and stone work, carpentry, glass installation, excavation and earth moving services |
Chemicals and Chemical Products |
Solvents, water softening compounds, gelatins, acetone, dyes, fuel gases, pest control agents, etc… Does not include medicinal chemicals (found under medical, dental and veterinary equipment and supplies) |
Cleaning Equipment and Supplies |
Cleaning and polishing compounds (powders, soaps, waxes), cleaning/janitorial supplies (wiping rags, garbage bags, brooms, mops, furniture polish), cleaning Equipment (Vacuum Cleaners, Floor Scrubbers), and Related Parts |
Commercial/Institutional Construction - Hospitals/Health Care Facitlities |
Building, renovating, repair, and demolition of buildings such as hospitals, long term health care facitlities, nursing homes, etc… |
Commercial/Institutional Construction - Justice Centres |
Building, renovating, repair, and demolition of buildings such as youth and adult justice facitlities, etc… |
Commercial/Institutional Construction - Learning Institutions |
Building, renovating, repair, and demolition of buildings such as P-12 schools, university buildings, etc… |
Commercial/Institutional Construction - Other |
Building, renovating, repair, and demolition of buildings such as recreational facilities, retail stores, museums, etc… |
Communication, Detection and Fibre Optic materials, components and Equipment |
Telecommunications equipment (telephones, cell phones, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, modems, converters, switches) VHF, UHF, antennas, navigation and detection equipment, paging system, fibre optic cables/swtiches/devices, public address systems, video recording, and related parts |
Communications Services |
Broadband services/infrastructure, telecom services (voice messaging, video conferencing), network services |
Construction and Building Materials |
Lumber, millwork, plywood, siding, ashphalt, gravel, cinders, lime, sand, cement, pipe (concrete, plastic, metal), concrete, steel, paint, thinners, bricks, tiles, block, wallboard, roofing and siding, fencing, and related products |
Electric Wire, Power, and Distribution Equipment |
Pole line supplies, lighting plants, windmills, solar panels, generators, converters, batteries, electrical wire and cable, and related parts |
Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Components |
Resistors, capacitators, fuses, circuit breakers, switches, connectors, relays, transformers, electron tubes, electrical hardware and insulators, semi conductors, micro circuits, microphones, speakers, amplifiers, circuit boards, and related parts |
Environmental Services |
Environmental support services related to air and water quality, environmental site assessments, environmental risk assessments, asbestos abatement, hazardous substance analysis, oil spill response, oil recycling, medical waste disposal services |
Facility Rental or Leasing |
Leasing/rental of office space, storage space, educational building, industrial/warehouse space, convention centre |
Financial, Insurance, and Real Estate Services |
Banking and trust, appraisal, financial accounting, insurance services, real estate, interior design |
Firefighting, Safety and Rescue Equipment |
Firefighting equipment, breathing apparatus, goggles, respirators, diving equipment, survival kits, and related parts |
Food and Beverage |
Non-perishable and perishable foods, beverages |
Food and Beverage Services |
Food catering, vending services |
Food Preparation and Serving Equipment |
Chilling tables, display cases, vending machines, soda fountains, mess hall kitchens, food slicing, food mixers, utility carts, pots, pans, cutlery, tableware, etc... |
Fuels, Lubricants, Oils, and Waxes |
Solid fuels, liquid propellants, gas, diesel, furnace oil, grease, aviation fuel, propane, waxes, etc... |
Furniture |
Household furniture, filing cabinets and shelving, desks, chairs, school furniture, lecture seating, library furniture, lockers, coat racks, systems furniture/cubicles, beds, mirrors, tables, cabinets |
Government Buildings |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of other government owned buildings not otherwise outlined |
Health and Social Services |
Services such as medical, dental, optical, pharmaceutical, physiotherapy, employee assistance programs, psychiatric services, occupational therapy, counselling, dental services, prevention programs and services, health/health promotion and protection |
Household and Commercial Furnishings and Applicances |
Sheets, pillows, blankets, mattresses, floor coverings (carpets, tiles, rugs, linoleum), draperies, awnings and shades, utility containers (refuse cans, clothes hampers), appliances (stoves, washers/dryers, fridges, etc…) |
Human Resource, Educational and Training Services |
Educational and training services (seminars, workshops, training sessions (off-site or on-site), skills assessment, curriculum development, change management, leadership development, workforce planning, dispute resolution, team building, respectful workplace, human rights |
Industrial Construction |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of industrial buildings such as oil and gas facilities, etc… |
Industrial Equipment |
Agricultural and gardening equipment, loaders, dump trucks, excavators, dozers, backhoes, forklifts, service and trade equipment, material-handling equipment, generators, snow removal equipment, and related parts |
Infrastructure - Bridges, Dams, Causeways and Wharfs |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of bridges, dams, causeways and wharfs, and related construction |
Infrastructure - Other |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of other infrastructure construction |
Infrastructure - Pipelines |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of pipelines, and related construction |
Infrastructure - Power Facilities, Electrical Transmission Lines |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of power facilities, electrical transmission lines, and related construction |
Infrastructure - Roads, Highways and Streets |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of roads, highways, streets, and related construction |
Infrastructure - Solid Waste Facilities, Sewage Treatment Plants |
Building, renovating, repair and demolition of solid waste facilities, sewage treatment plants and related construction |
IT Hardware |
Computers, tablets, scanners, printers, network cabling, laptops, servers, hard drives, cables, hubs, connectors, switches, printers, scanners, multi-function devices, monitors, and related products |
IT Services |
Database admin, data conversion services, end user support and training, GIS projects, internet, intranet, IT architect, IT management, network admin, programmer analyst, project manager, SAP consulting/training |
IT Software |
System software, programming software, application software, and related products |
Landscaping and Agricultural Supplies |
Limestone, compost, peat moss, pest management products, forage feed, fertilizers, seeds and nursery stock, live animals |
Law Enforcement Equipment and Supplies |
Police radars, breathalyzers, fingerprint supplies, and related parts |
Lighting Fixtures and Lamps |
Indoor/outdoor electric lighting, vehicular lighting, portable/hand lighting |
Machinery and Tools |
Metal working machinery and tools (saws, boring machines, welding equipment), woodworking machinery (sawmills, planers, cutters, blades) |
Management Consulting Services |
Business analysis, policy/planning, research, business intelligence, research and evaluation, risk assessment, project management, translation, technical writing, conference/event planning, facilitation, negotiation, economic development, energy consulting, population segment |
Medical Apparel and Linens |
Lab coats, uniforms, slippers, scrubs, gowns, linens |
Medical, Dental and Veterinary Equipment and Supplies |
Drugs and biologicals, surgical dressing, medical and surgical instruments, dental instruments, X-ray equipment, hospital furniture and equipment, hospital and surgical clothing, ophtalmic Instruments, replenishable field medical sets, diagnostic substances |
Miscellaneous Textiles |
Canvas, felt, padding/stuffing materials, leathers, leathers, tarpaulins, tents, flags |
Non-Medical Apparel and Linens |
Uniforms, footwear, badges and insignia, luggage, special purpose (athletic, flight clothing), gloves, rainwear, hats, vests, jackets, pants |
Office Equipment |
Accounting and calculating machines, time clocks, cash registers, mailing equipment, shredders, binding machines, punch equipment, typesetting equipment, facsimile machines, typewriters, embossing machines, cameras, fax machines, GPS systems, projectors, and related products, AV equipment |
Office Supplies |
Day to day office essentials such as: paper, envelopes, binders, folders, pens/pencils, storage boxes, standard forms, chalk boards, white boards, bulletin boards, business cards, calendars, labels, mailroom equipment, notebooks and pads, shredders, teachers educational aids, and related products, flash drives, CD/DVDs, print cartridges |
Personal Services |
Laundry services, dry cleaning, funeral services, chaplain services, tailoring services, barber/beauty shop services |
Plumbing, Heating and Sanitation Equipment |
Fixtures, valves, piping, fittings, joints, space heating equipment (hot water boilers, steam boilers, space heaters, water heaters, etc…) incinerators, septic tanks, fuel burning equipment (gas buenrs, oill burners, etc…) and related parts |
Prefabricated Structures and Scaffolding |
Prefab/portable buildings, rigid wall shelters, bailey bridges, storage tanks, flag poles, scaffolding |
Promotional Materials |
Promotional Items (conference bags, trophies, gifts), display booths |
Property Maintenance and Related Services |
Snow plowing, snow removal, salt and sanding services, landscaping, janitorial services, garbage disposal, pest control, laundry services, catering, carpet cleaning |
Quality Control, Testing, Inspection and Technical Services |
Quality assurance testing, equipment and materials testing, commercial testing lab services, asphaltic testing and inspection, geotechnical testing and inspection |
Real Property |
Land, buildings, roads, lakes |
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Air Circulating equipment |
Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, and related parts |
Residential Construction |
Buildings, renovating, repair, and demolition of residentail buildings such as apartments, dormitories, single unit dwellings, subdivisions |
Road Construction Products |
Asphalt, manholes, guard rail, traffic paint and thinners, salt, sand, stone, survey stakes, and related products |
Scientific Instruments and Laboratry Equipment |
Chemical analysis instruments, physical properties testing, laboratory equipments (glassware, funnels, litmus paper, glass wool, furniture), time measuring instruments, microscope, telescope, electroscope, seismometer, scales, pressure/humidity control instruments, and related products |
Security Services |
Building security, public security, event security, related services |
Ships, Marine Vessels and Equipment |
Passenger ships, cargo vessels, fishing vessels, special service vessels, barges, small craft, pontoons, docks/drydocks, dredges, propulsion equipment, rigging gear, buoys, marine instrumentation, marine hardware and related parts |
Signage |
Signs (metal, wood, plastic, reflective sheeting), sign posts, license plates |
Solid Waste and Recycling Services |
Collection, hauling, processing, disposal, recycling of waste |
Surveying and Mapping Services |
Surveying, photo-map production, mapping services, map production, geophysical surveys, etc… |
Theatrical, Recreational, Playground and Athletic Equipment |
Wellness/gym equipment (treadmills, weights), musical instruments, sporting equipment, playgrounds, theatrical equipment and supplies, and related parts |
Toiletries and Cosmetics |
Toilet tissue, tissues, napkins, hand cleaner, shampoo, shaving cream, combs, razors, toothbrushes, perfumes, cosmetics |
Tools, Hardware and Abrasives |
Powered/non-powered hand tools, drill bits, measuring tools, hardware (nuts, bolts, screws, washers, rivets, etc.), abrasives (disks, stones, powders, papers, etc…) |
Transportation, Travel, and Relocation Services |
Passenger and freight delivery services (ground, taxicab, truck), air, vessel, rail), vehicle rentals, vehicle towing, freight forwarding, travel agent services, equipment rentals, accommodations and food services - hotel/private, limousine service, vessel charters, vessel towing, aircraft charters, interior design, moving services |
Utilities |
Gas service, electrical service, telephone service, cable service, water treatment and related services |
Vehicles (Special Purpose) and spares |
ATV's, snowmobiles, motorcycles, school buses, ambulances, firetrucks, police vehicles, transit buses, trailers, and related parts |
Vehicles and spares |
Passenger cars, light trucks, heavy duty trucks, mini-vans, semi trailers, and related parts (batteries, filters, engines, mufflers, brakes, tires, retreading, chains, windshields) |
Water purification and sewage treatment Equipment |
Filtration equipment, water distillations, sewage treatment equipment, and related parts |