Important changes to Professional Services Supply Arrangements processes

The first series of Questions and Answers is now available.
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As the Government of Canada’s central purchaser, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is continuously seeking ways to strengthen the integrity of our procurement processes.

In the coming weeks, we will be implementing new changes to strengthen controls on the use of the following supply arrangements:

• Task-Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS)
• Solutions-Based Informatics Professional Services (SBIPS), and
• Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS)

This means that vendors will gradually begin to see changes to processes concerning current contracts under these supply arrangements, as well as future Requests for Proposal (RFP).

Changes to current contract processes

All new Task Authorizations under existing and future contracts will need to align with specific initiatives or projects. This will help us better track and report on what contracts are being used for, as well as the overall cost of our programs.

PSPC will be asking vendors to provide proof that resources being put forward for work on specific contracts have given their permission to do so.

In the coming weeks, federal departments and agencies will also be validating the accuracy of resumes and may ask vendors for supporting documentation.

We will be requiring vendors to disclose all sub-contracts on new solicitations.

Finally, we are working to increase the number of solutions-based contracts, relative to task-based contracts.

Changes to future Requests for Proposal (RFP)

For all new RFPs related to these supply arrangements, PSPC will no longer rely on the resumes or proposed resources as the basis of selection. Moving forward, bid evaluations will focus on other criteria, such as:

• demonstrated past ability of a vendor to perform similar work, and
• ability to commit to Canada’s socio-economic objectives.

We will also require vendors to provide more detailed cost information in their bids, including breakdowns of direct and indirect cost, as well as projected profit. The Government of Canada will treat this information as commercially sensitive, similar to other third-party information gathered through the contracting process.

Next Steps

These changes will be gradually implemented in the coming weeks. Vendors are encouraged to get in touch with their Contracting Authority at PSPC for more information about existing contracts and forthcoming procurements.

We will also make information about new procedures available online, and will continue to share information with the vendor community as it becomes available.

If you have any questions, please submit them via email to jeremie.mageau-david@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca and jason.solomon@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.