Question Period Note: Procurement Modernization

Public Services and Procurement Canada is working to modernize and simplify procurement.

• Public Services and Procurement Canada is modernizing procurement practices in order to streamline contracting processes and make procurement easier, faster, and more accessible for suppliers, particularly those from underrepresented groups
  • As part of these broader modernization efforts, Public Services and Procurement Canada is delivering best value for Canadians by supplying departments and agencies with the goods and services they need. This is done while also leveraging procurement to increase supplier diversity, ensuring that goods and services are accessible and inclusive for all, and supporting Canada’s transition to a green economy

If pressed on modernization initiatives:

• The Contract Modernization initiative aims to streamline contracting policies and directives by simplifying the contracting process
• The Electronic Procurement Solution provides web-based access to procurement services that will make procurement simpler and easier for suppliers to find and bid on opportunities
• The Accessible Procurement Resource Centre provides guidance to federal procurement professionals on how to include accessibility in their procurements
• Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Policy on Social Procurement provides the framework to increase supplier diversity in Public Services and Procurement Canada procurements and to drive positive outcomes for under-represented groups in Canada

Budget 2021 proposed to provide Public Services and Procurement funds to modernize federal procurement and create opportunities for specific communities by diversifying the federal supplier base. Specific commitments for Public Services and Procurement Canada included:

• Implement a program focused on procuring from Black-owned businesses
• Improve data capture, analytics, and reporting
• Incorporate accessibility considerations into federal procurement, ensuring goods and services are accessible by design. Public Services and Procurement Canada will develop new tools, guidance, awareness, and training for federal departments
• Leverage supplier diversity opportunities through domestic procurement, such as running competitions open to businesses run by Canadians from equity deserving groups

Budget 2021 proposed $87.4 million over 5 years, and $18.6 million ongoing, to modernize federal procurement and to create opportunities for specific communities such as Indigenous Peoples, women, LGBTQ2+ Canadians, racialized Canadians, and young people