Primer: PWGSC Learning Services Standing Offer and Supply Arrangement
The Government of Canada purchases professional services primarily through contract vehicles such as standing offers (SO) and supply arrangements (SA). In some cases, the use of a standing offer or supply arrangement is mandatory.
Learning Services SO and SA: Qualify for contracts for Design, Development and Delivery of Learning Services [OPEN for Renewal – Due Date: October 29, 2021]
The Learning Services SO and SA are the mandatory procurement tools for most purchases of learning services to be provided to locations across Canada. Learning Services includes all aspects of the design, development and delivery of classroom learning, blended learning and eLearning product development. In general, the provision of services involves the development and delivery of government-owned materials.
The Learning Services Methods of Supply are organized into the following streams:
- Stream 1 – Strategic Learning Advisory Services
- Stream 2 – Instructional Design and Development Services
- Stream 3 – Custom and Rapid Learning Product Programming
- Stream 4 – Multi-media Design and Development
- Stream 5 – Training Delivery
- Stream 6 – Training Evaluation Services
- Stream 7 – Project Management
A full listing of all the streams and categories of personnel included in Learning Services can be found in our TPC Overview – PWGSC Learning Services SOSA (2021-10).
Learning Services is an essential contract vehicle to hold if you wish to provide services to the Government of Canada in any of the professional services areas listed above. To qualify for the Learning Services SO or SA you must respond to and comply with the Learning Services RFSO or the Learning Services RFSA, respectively.
Existing SO and SA suppliers must comply with the requirements of the re-competition solicitation to retain the previously awarded streams, but are not required to re-qualify for any streams for which they already have an SO and/or an SA. The RFSO and RFSA allow new suppliers to qualify, and existing suppliers already included in the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) to add information to their existing SO and SA such as streams, categories, region and metropolitan area.
Highlights of the Learning Services Request for Standing Offer and Supply Arrangement
The Learning Services RFSO and the Learning Services RFSA were posted on September 13, 2021 and close on October 29, 2021. Bids are evaluated periodically.
Key Requirements
- Three years in business
- A minimum dollar value of billed services relevant to each proposed stream (the amount varies, please see TPC Overview – PWGSC Learning Services SOSA (2021-10) for details of stream-specific requirements).
- A reference for each category (role) being offered (organization, client name/title, contact information, contract number and project title)
- Security clearance (prior to SO and/or SA award)
Learning Services Supply Arrangement vs. Standing Offer
The Learning Services Supply Arrangement (SA) and the Learning Services Standing Offer (SO) are part of the same Method of Supply. On approximately an annual basis, the Learning Services SO and SA are renewed as part of a single solicitation. New vendors are provided with the opportunity to qualify for both contract vehicles, and existing vendors are required to renew their contract vehicles if they wish to continue providing services.
The Supply Arrangement is used for the provision of services on a best value basis, where technical and financial criteria are used to award contracts.
The Standing Offer is used for the provision of services on a low-cost compliant basis, where a ranking of suppliers (created at the time of issuance of the Standing Offers) provides a right of first refusal to the lowest cost vendors.
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 Learning Services without holding a security clearance, but will not be awarded a standing offer or 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 Learning Services 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.]
Please see our Primers page for information about other Methods of Supply.
Additional Information and Support
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the Learning Services Standing Offer and 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.
