[ARCHIVED October 23, 2018 – 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.]

The Government of Canada purchases professional services primarily through contract vehicles such as standing offers and supply arrangements. In some cases, the use of a standing offer or supply arrangement is mandatory.

Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS) Task-Based Standing Offer (SO) and Supply Arrangement (SA): Qualify for Contracts for Non-IT Professional Services [Closed – Replacement anticipated for Fall 2018]
The TSPS Task-Based SO and TSPS Task-Based SA are two of several mandatory contract vehicles related to the provision of non-IT professional Services. The other related contract vehicles are the TSPS Solutions-Based SA and the ProServices SA.

Task-based services generally involve the assignment of a resource or group of resources to complete a well-defined set of deliverables/responsibilities on a per diem basis.

TSPS is organized according to the following streams (each containing multiple categories of resources): Read the rest of this entry »

The Government of Canada purchases professional services primarily through contract vehicles such as standing offers and supply arrangements. In some cases, the use of a standing offer or supply arrangement is mandatory.

Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS) Solutions-Based Supply Arrangement (SA): Qualify for Contracts for Non-IT Professional Services [Open for bids indefinitely – Quarterly due dates: Last business day of the month in March, June, September and December.  Next  due date is December 31, 2021.]

The TSPS Solutions-Based SA is one of several procurement tools for the purchase of Non-IT professional services. While the better known TSPS Task Based SA and the ProServices SA focus on resource-based contracts (i.e., services provided by individuals), the TSPS Solutions-Based SA is used to procure a complete solution in response to a client business problem. Services are not related to one particular activity or initiative, and suppliers are expected to manage the overall project and accept responsibility for the outcome.

The TSPS Solutions-Based SA is separated into two tiers:

• SA Tier 1: Contracts up to $3,750,000
• SA Tier 2: Contracts over $3, 750,000

The TSPS Solutions-Based SA is organized according to the following streams:

• Stream 1: Human Resource Services
• Stream 2: Business Services / Change Management Services
• Stream 3: Project Management Services
• Stream 4: Real Property Project Management Services
• Stream 5: Technical Engineering and Maintenance Services (TEMS)

Please also see our TPC Overview – PWGSC TSPS Solutions SA (2020-11).

The TSPS Solutions-Based SA is an important contract vehicle to hold if you wish to provide services to the Government of Canada in any of the non-IT professional services areas listed above.

To qualify for the TSPS Solutions-Based SA, you must respond to and comply with the TSPS Solutions-Based Request for Supply Arrangement.

Highlights of the TSPS Solutions-Based RFSA
TSPS Solutions-Based SA was published October 5, 2018 and is currently open for bids. Bids are evaluated quarterly and are due on the last day of the month in March, June, September and December.

Key Requirements:

• Three years in business
• Must have invoiced a gross business volume of at least $1,000,000 (Tier 1)/$2,000,000 (Tier 2) in the past five years.
• Minimum of three projects, and a maximum of five projects,  for each stream proposed:
  • Each project must have been completed within the past five years
  • Each project must relate to the stream and have been for a complete solution involving initiation, planning and execution. This is demonstrated as part of detailed project summary write-ups.
  • In each stream the combined value billed for the projects must be a minimum of $500,000 for Tier 1 or $1,000,000 for Tier 2, excluding all taxes
• Security clearance (prior to SA award)

A proposal requires both an email submission (to be provided when requested) and the entry of data into the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS).

Government of Canada Security Clearances
In addition to the requirements noted above, suppliers need to obtain a minimum of a Designated Organization Screening (DOS) security clearance. This is an organization clearance, which is separate from personal security clearances.

Suppliers may submit a bid for the TSPS Solutions-Based SA without holding a security clearance, but will not be awarded a supply arrangement until their clearance is granted. As soon as possible (even before submitting a bid), suppliers who do not yet hold a DOS (or higher) organization clearance should request sponsorship from the TSPS Solutions-Based SA Authority to start the clearance process.

[N.B. DOS organization clearance is essential for all firms providing services under government contracts, even for organizations who are subcontractors/independent contractors working for a larger firm]

Relationship to TSPS Task-Based Methods of Supply and ProServices
As noted above, the TSPS Task Based SA and the ProServices SA are other methods of supply for non-IT Professional Services. The TSPS Task-Based SA and the ProServices SA are for “task-based” requirements, which focus on procuring the services of individuals to complete a task. The TSPS Solutions-Based SA focuses on the procurement of complete solutions.

The TSPS Task-Based SA is used for best-value contracts above the CKFTA threshold, while ProServices is used for contracts below the threshold. The TSPS Task-Based SO is used for contracts up to $250,000 awarded based on a low-cost compliant selection method, following a right of first refusal list established with the SO.

Please see our Primers for more information on TSPS Task Based SA and ProServices SA, and other methods of supply.

Additional Information and Support
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the TSPS Solutions-Based Supply Arrangement, doing business with the federal government, or doing business with any public sector organization, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us. We would be very happy to answer your questions. We have even created a special package to support you with your submission. Contact Us today for more details.

Do you supply goods and services to Shared Services Canada? As of July 2016, all Shared Services Canada (SSC) suppliers must submit their bids and invoices using the Procure-To-Pay (P2P) portal. As well as providing an electronic procurement and payment system, the portal will provide enhanced visibility of procurement activities in SSC, and is expected to result in an improved end-to-end service delivery experience.

Suppliers must register to use the P2P portal. Before registering on the portal, suppliers are invited to attend an interactive WebEx training session, followed by a Q&A. These sessions run every Wednesday (2-4 pm) through the summer and fall of 2016. To register for a training session, please send your request to: SSC.p2p-p2p.SPC@canada.ca.

“How-to” documents and instructional videos are also available on the P2P portal. Support questions may be addressed to SSC.p2p-p2p.SPC@canada.ca.

As part of the security screening process for Government of Canada contractors, the Contract Security Program completes a criminal record check in accordance with the Treasury Board Standard on Security Screening. The Contract Security Program conducts criminal record checks through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The RCMP is retiring the name-based criminal record check process in favour of mandatory electronic fingerprinting. This process entails the police service or an accredited fingerprinting company taking a copy of your fingerprints with an electronic scanner. The fingerprints are used by the RCMP only to confirm your identity. After completion of service, the copy of your fingerprints is destroyed. It is not kept or searched for other purposes.

Mandatory electronic fingerprinting is already in place for employees of most government departments; but has not yet been implemented for industry clearances. Once this process is implemented, all new requests for personnel security screening will require confirmation that an electronic fingerprint check has been completed to initiate the criminal record check.

Company security officers will direct their employees to service providers to have their fingerprints taken prior to submitting their application. A confirmation that the fingerprints were taken, along with the employee’s personnel screening forms will be submitted electronically to the Contract Security Program. This change is expected to expedite the time it takes to process screening requests.

The Contract Security Program is working with the RCMP on an implementation plan for industry that will identify how the changes will be rolled out. The new process is expected to be launched in fall 2016. A detailed communiqué on the new process and its requirements will be sent to all company security officers and their alternates closer to the launch date.

For more information, contact the Contract Security Program.

[ARCHIVED November 10, 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]

The Government of Canada purchases professional services primarily through contract vehicles such as standing offers and supply arrangements. In some cases, the use of a standing offer or supply arrangement is mandatory.

Task-Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS) Standing Offer (SO) and Supply Arrangement (SA): Qualify for Contracts for IT Professional Services [Currently closed for bids. Next refresh is anticipated for January 2017]
The TBIPS SO and TBIPS SA are two of several mandatory contract vehicles related to the provision of IT Professional services. Read the rest of this entry »

[ARCHIVED November 10, 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]

We are pleased to publish an update to our SO, SA, and VOR Primers Page and all associated contract vehicle primers.  On the List of SO, SA, VOR Primers page you will find the due dates for open and anticipated solicitations for qualifying for mandatory Supply Arrangements (SA), Standing Offers (SO), and Vendor of Record (VOR) Arrangements. This page also includes links to our updated Primers which summarize key details for each contract vehicle.

Read the rest of this entry »

[ARCHIVED November 10, 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]

Are you a Company Security Officer (CSO) or Alternate Company Security Officer (ACSO) for an organization that holds a federal security clearance? If yes, and you are interested in developing a better understanding of the Industrial Security Program and your responsibilities in this program, you should attend a Company Security Officer (CSO) Training Session. Read the rest of this entry »

Following the renewal of the Task-Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS) Request for Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements in the fall of 2015, the Government of Canada published the median rates established for TBIPS Standing Offers by Region and Metropolitan Area, Category of Personnel, and Level of Expertise. The rates can be downloaded in PDF format from the TBIPS SO Median Rates notice. Read the rest of this entry »

[ARCHIVED May 9, 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]

We are pleased to publish an update to our SO, SA, and VOR Primers Page and all associated contract vehicle primers.  On the List of SO, SA, VOR Primers page you will find the due dates for open and anticipated solicitations for qualifying for mandatory Supply Arrangements (SA), Standing Offers (SO), and Vendor of Record (VOR) Arrangements. This page also includes links to our updated Primers which summarize key details for each contract vehicle.

Read the rest of this entry »

[ARCHIVED February 6, 2018 – This page will no longer be updated. Please see https://blog.theproposalcentre.ca//2018/02/06/nafta-threshold-2018-2019/ for updated information on the NAFTA threshold]

The Government of Canada’s contracting policies and regulations are affected by numerous trade agreements that Canada has signed with other countries and even one between the provinces (the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)). Of all the agreements, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has the most significant impact on government procurement by dictating some of the terms governing how solicitations are run.

From a services perspective, the threshold for the past two years has been $80,400.  Treasury Board has recently announced that for the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, the threshold will be $89,600, inclusive of taxes. Updated thresholds for goods, services and construction, for all trade agreements can be found in Treasury Board’s Contracting Policy Notice 2015-3. Read the rest of this entry »