[ARCHIVED August 2, 2016 – This page will no longer be updated. Please see https://blog.theproposalcentre.ca//list-of-primers/ for current information on key Government of Canada and Government of Ontario contract vehicles]

In last week’s presentation on ProServices, PS Online’s replacement for Professional Services purchases under $78,500, Public Works and Government Services Canada representatives spent a fair amount of time discussing their “new” strategy for purchasing professional services. Several aspects of this strategy should have a meaningful impact on small and medium-sized vendors, and vendors new to selling to the federal government.

What is it?
This strategy represents a move to standardize and simplify the purchase of professional services to make it easier for government users and vendors to do business together.

Why is this important?
Did you know that the government buys approximately $3.1 Billion worth of Professional Services? With dozens of departments and agencies, regions spread across the country, and hundreds of individuals involved in purchasing professional services, there is significant inconsistency in the process. Where there is consistency, the process can be overwhelming and not always perceived as equitable. This strategy attempts to tackle both issues.

As a vendor or potential vendor you likely have gripes with the federal government’s procurement processes. This strategy helps address many of the most significant issues faced by vendors, while at the same time also addressing issues your clients may have with the process.

What professional services are affected?
The strategy deals with a number of existing standing offers and supply arrangements which cover the following services (applicable method of supply is noted in parentheses):

• Human Resources (*)
• Organizational Development and Change Management (*)
• Evaluation and Performance Measurement (*)
• Project Management (non-IT) (*)
• Real Property Project Management (*)
• Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS SO and SA, SBIPS)
• Professional Audit Support Services (PASS SA)
• Learning Services (Learning Services SO and SA)
• Cyber Protection (CPSA)
• Technical, Engineering and Maintenance Services (TEMS SA)
• Professional Services under $78,500, for most of the above service areas (ProServices, formerly PS Online)

Services marked by an asterisk (*) form part of the Task and Solutions Professional Services supply arrangements and standing offer.

This strategy affects services from firms of all sizes, from independent consultants and up.

So, what changes?
In theory, selling to government should become simpler and more reasonable for vendors of all sizes, while government users should be able to purchase the services they need with less hassle. The main premise will be to apply a consistent approach to the purchase of professional services in the following areas:

• Governance: A single decision making body with participation and input across departments and regions will oversee overall governance, strategy development and improvements to the National Strategy.
• Common Business Rules: Key rules around sole sourcing, competitive procurements, use of supply arrangement/standing offers, dollar thresholds will be harmonized across all types of professional services.
• Single Web Portal: All professional services purchasing will be accessed through the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) which will help users determine the right standing offer or supply arrangement to use and will facilitate the whole procurement process. Vendors will also have accounts on CPSS in order to keep their information up to date.
• Standardized Templates and Support Tools: Some consistency between RFPs, Statements of Work, and Evaluation Criteria should be welcome news for suppliers and help simplify things for client
• Harmonized Training: Improved training will be provided to all client departments.

I recognize this is at a fairly high-level and doesn’t quite get down to how this will affect selling to the government on a day to day basis. In my next posting I’ll run through some of the specific elements of the strategy and their impact on vendors. Be sure to check it out to find out what happens with sole sourcing, supply arrangement renewals, invitations to bid, etc.

For more information
I will post additional analysis and discussion regarding the strategy on this blog. You may also choose to read the full strategy. At 19 sparsely-spaced pages plus appendices it isn’t too onerous a read. You can obtain a copy from MERX at:

http://www.merx.com/English/SUPPLIER_Menu.asp?WCE=Show&TAB=1&PORTAL=MERX&State=7&id=PW-%24%24ZH-103-23505&src=osr&FED_ONLY=0&ACTION=&rowcount=&lastpage=&MoreResults=&PUBSORT=0&CLOSESORT=0&IS_SME=Y&hcode=BbXUY82hc6yGFWE3WMAxQg%3d%3d

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 8:45 am and is filed under Canadian Government, Procurement Advocacy, Procurement News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.