[ARCHIVED] ProServices Primer: What you need to know about the Draft Request for Supply Arrangement
[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]
Suppliers to the Federal Government received some more details in the past week about the ProServices Supply Arrangement which will be replacing PS Online for the purchase of professional services under $78,500 (NAFTA Threshold). In this post we focus on the key aspects of the ProServices SA including what it is, what’s new, the qualifications suppliers will need to meet and suggested next steps.
Current Status
On February 14th, PWGSC released a draft Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) as part of a Request for Information (RFI). While there is no requirement to respond at this time, comments and feedback are welcomed and will be reviewed as part of finalizing the RFSA.
With the draft RFSA, suppliers can now prepare in advance for their submission.
What is ProServices?
The ProServices Supply Arrangement will be the Government of Canada’s mandatory procurement tool for most purchases of professional services under the NAFTA threshold ($78,500). It is based on the Task-Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS) and Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS) Task-Based methods of supply and includes a range of categories in information technology, human resources, change management, business consulting, and many other non-IT areas. We have included a full listing of streams and categories in a previous post.
By qualifying for ProServices your firm will become eligible to provide services to the federal government for contracts valued at $78,500 and below.
ProServices introduces New Categories
For a full list of ProServices Categories please see “PWGSC ProServices Supply Arrangement – Full List of Categories“.
There will be several new categories included on ProServices that were previously not a part of TBIPS or TSPS.
New categories related to non-IT professional service include:
- 9.15 Life Cycle Management Specialist
- 9.16 Facilitator Category
- 10.11 Communications Consultant
- STREAM #12 – Technical, Engineering and Maintenance Services (Categories not identified)
We should anticipate additional details to come out regarding these new categories on the upcoming TSPS refresh, unless PWGSC provides more information with the draft RFSA before it closes.
Qualifying for ProServices
One of the most significant items included in the draft RFSA is a description of the submission requirements and the qualifications that must be met.
New suppliers for ProServices will need to demonstrate:
- One year in Business
- Substantiation for one or more categories in one or more streams (there is no minimum or maximum)
New suppliers will also need to obtain a company security clearance which can be requested as part of the RFSA process.
The RFSA submission will include an online submission (via PWGSC’s Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS)) as well as a hard copy submission comprised of signed forms and supporting documentation.
Current TBIPS and TSPS suppliers will not be required to qualify technically, however, they will be still be required to enter information into the CPSS system and provide several signed forms and other information in hard copy.
Next Steps
Interested suppliers should consider downloading and reviewing the ProServices Draft RFSA to become familiar with the requirements. If you are interested you should also consider the following actions:
- Provide feedback and comments on the draft RFSA to Peggy Gilmour, Supply Team Leader (Public Works and Government Services Canada) at peggy.gilmour@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
- Determine which categories you would like to pursue
- Collect the required information and substantiation as described in the RFSA
- Obtain an account on the CPSS system so you are ready to go when the formal RFSA is released
Suppliers of non-IT services who are not on TSPS may wish to consider submitting a proposal to get onto the TSPS Task-Based Professional Services Supply Arrangement. Not only will you be “Grandfathered” onto ProServices, but you will also gain access to opportunities greater in size than $78,500. TSPS is expected to be released soon.
The same recommendation could be made for IT Suppliers with TBIPS, however, the refresh is currently posted and due March 4, 2013, leaving little time to prepare if you haven’t already started. Additionally, TBIPS is much harder for small firms to qualify, when compared with TSPS.
What do you think of the ProServices Draft RFSA? Do you see areas for improvement?
