Request for Information - Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

***UPDATE – 2026-01-16 *** : Q&A document from the January 8 webinar.

DESCRIPTION

The 2024 Application Hosting Strategy is intended to deliver an updated vision and framework for application hosting in the Government of Canada (GC) that is holistic, future-oriented, and considers all digital infrastructure options; including all types of cloud computing services.

- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): hardware that provides access to the most basic technology resources such as computing resources, storage, and networking.
- Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): a set of managed services where the cloud provider manages some of the operational aspects for the consumer including databases, machine learning, and security monitoring.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): an entire business solution is outsourced to a third party, such as a business application.

To realize the full potential of cloud technology, the way GC procures cloud services must also evolve.

PLATFORM-AS-A-SERVICE (PaaS) and SOFTWARE-AS-A-SERVICE (SaaS) -

The emergence of commercially available cloud services promises to provide GC with greater speed and flexibility when deploying applications used to deliver programs and services to Canadians.

Currently, Shared Services Canada (SSC), Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and various other departments have established various procurement vehicles to procure Platform-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service products. There is an opportunity to streamline, simplify and harmonize the way GC procures and the way the industry delivers these solutions.

RFI SUPPORTING THE EVOLUTION OF SAAS AND PAAS PROCUREMENT ECOSYSTEMS

SSC and PSPC are working together to launch a 360-degree Request for Information to obtain insights from the industry, as well as GC internal stakeholders.

SSC and PSPC need to understand the procurement landscape for PaaS and SaaS offerings to help us design the next generation of procurement vehicle(s) that will enable the GC to support the Application Hosting Strategy.

GC is looking at opportunities to reduce acquisition and overhead costs while avoiding solution sprawl by exploring enterprise solutions, where possible, with procurement vehicles that offers a faster and effective way to procure.

The findings of the planned RFI will inform the design of the next generation of PaaS-SaaS procurement vehicle aiming to be developed in 2025-26. It is envisioned that there will be a single door to acquire PaaS and SaaS.

WHO DO WE WANT TO TALK TO?

- Are you a vendor in the PaaS or SaaS market?
- Are your service offerings related to PaaS or SaaS?
- Do you have innovative cloud-based solutions to offer to the Government of Canada?
If so, we want to hear from you!

LANGUAGE  
Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. 

ENQUIRIES 
Enquiries regarding this RFI are to be submitted to the email below: 
PVRCloudServicesRCRs.DCCServicesinfonuagiquesARF@ssc-spc.gc.ca .   

PREVIOUS AMENDMENTS:

***UPDATE – 2026-01-13 *** : New due date for the demonstration video: January 28, 2026, 6pm, EST

*** UPDATE - 2026/01/11 ***: Posting of the january 8 webinar's powerpoint deck

WHAT’S NEXT?

WEBINAR - EXPLORE THE MARKETPLACE MODEL (PaaS-SaaS)
Respondents are invited to attend a Webinar to explore the marketplace model on Cloud PaaS and Saas procurement mechanisms for the government of Canada.
If you are a provider offering a platform that enables Canada’s procurement of a broad range of PaaS and SaaS solutions, we would be interested in engaging with you.
The respondent must register by contacting the Contracting Authority prior to the date of the Webinar to the following email:
PVRCloudServicesRCRs.DCCServicesinfonuagiquesARF@ssc-spc.gc.ca .
The Webinar will be held on the following dates and times:  
The French-language webinar will be held on January 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST
The English-language webinar will be held on January 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

2025/12/08: Posting the What We Heard Report.

INFORMATION WEBINAR : December 18, 2024
Respondents are invited to attend an Informational Webinar to discuss any questions you may have on the RFI. The respondent must register by contacting the Contracting Authority prior to the date of the Webinar to the following email: PVRCloudServicesRCRs.DCCServicesinfonuagiquesARF@ssc-spc.gc.ca .

The Information Webinar will be held on the following dates and times:  
The French-language webinar will be held on December 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EDT
The English-language webinar will be held on December 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

In anticipation of the upcoming RFI webinar, participants are encouraged to complete the "Annex A – Questionnaire" form, which will be distributed soon. The GC requests that respondents submit their answers to the form before January 3, 2025.
UPDATE - 2024/12/23: "Annex A – Questionnaire" form is now available in the Bidding Details tab. The GC requests that respondents submit their answers to the form before January 10, 2025.