[ARCHIVED] Primer: PWGSC TSPS Task-Based Standing Offer and Supply Arrangement
[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):
- Stream 1: Human Resource Services;
- Stream 2: Business Services / Change Management Services;
- Stream 3: Project Management Services; and
- Stream 4: Real Property Project Management Services.
- Stream 5: Technical Engineering and Maintenance Services (TEMS)
A full listing of all the streams and categories of personnel included in TSPS can be found in our TPC Overview – PWGSC TSPS Task-Based SOSA (2018-09)
The TSPS Task-Based SO and/or SA are essential contract vehicles 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 Task-Based SO or SA you must respond to and comply with the TSPS Task-Based Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) (open for bids) or the TSPS Task-Based Request for Standing Offer/Supply Arrangement (RFSOSA) (Currently expired).
TSPS Task-Based Supply Arrangement vs. Standing Offer
By qualifying for TSPS Task-Based SA, your firm becomes eligible to provide task-based services to the federal government for contracts valued over the NAFTA Threshold ($106,000 from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019). There are two tiers for the TSPS Task-Based SA:
- Tier 1: Contracts from $106,000 to $2,000,000
- Tier 2: Contracts over $2,000,000
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 TSPS Task-Based SO can be used for contracts of any dollar value up to $250,000. 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.
Highlights of the TSPS Task-Based RFSO and RFSA
The TSPS Task-Based SA refresh was posted on July 3, 2017, closes September 28, 2018, and is currently open for bids. Bids are evaluated periodically 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 in sales of at least $500,000 (SO/SA Tier 1) or $1,000,000 (SA Tier 2) over the past five (5) years.
- A reference client contact (no project write-up necessary) for categories you have supplied in the past five (5) years and that you wish to qualify for.
- Minimum of two (SO/SA Tier 1) or four (SA Tier 2) categories demonstrated for each stream proposed
- Security clearance (prior to SO/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 a TSPS Task-Based SO and/or 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 Task-Based SO/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]
Other Related Contract Vehicles (ProServices, TSPS Solutions-Based)
The following contract vehicles are closely related to the TSPS Task-Based SO and SA:
- ProServices SA: The ProServices Supply Arrangement is a mandatory procurement tool for most purchases of professional services under the NAFTA Threshold. The non-IT streams and categories included in the ProServices SA mirror the TSPS Task-Based SO and SA
- TSPS Solutions-Based SA: The TSPS Solutions-Based SA includes the same streams of service as the TSPS Task-Based SA. Solution-based opportunities involve the provision of a complete solution, where the client specifies the problem and vendors are required to propose a complete solution, manage the overall project and accept responsibility for the outcome.
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 TSPS Task-Based SO or SA, 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.
