Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who owns the National Master Specification (NMS)?

The NMS is owned by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). However everybody in the Canadian construction industry has a vested interest in ensuring that the NMS is kept current and accurate since the NMS plays a major role in construction specifications in Canada.

2. Where can I get a copy of the NMS?

The NMS is sold by two private sector organizations, on behalf of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). Visit the NMS Publishers page.

3. How much does the NMS cost?

Although each of the NMS publishers sell the NMS for around the same price, there are some variations from publisher to publisher.

As well as being sold as a complete document the NMS is also available in packages sold at reduced rates and tailored for specific industry need.

4. Do I have to purchase a complete set if I only work with a single discipline within the construction industry?

No. In addition to being sold as a complete set, the NMS is available in packages at reduced rates and tailored for specific industry need. NMS packages currently available are:

Each package includes a copy of Division 01 of the NMS.

• Air Transportation Package
• Building Services Package
• Conservation Package
• Electrical Package
• Heavy Civil Engineering Package
• Interior Design Package
• Landscape Architectural Package
• Mechanical Package
• Performance-based Package
• Structural Engineering Package

The NMS is also sold by individual Divisions and individual Sections.

5. How can get a copy of the NMS for educational purposes?

Educational institutions such as schools colleges and universities can obtain a complimentary copy of the NMS if specifications are part of the curricula for a course at the institution. Publishers are pleased to provide a copy of the NMS at no cost for educational purposes.

6. How often is the NMS updated?

All 750 Sections of the NMS are updated a minimum of once every three years. If materials or work practices change significantly before a Section is scheduled for update, then that Section is rescheduled to ensure that significant changes can be addressed promptly.

7. Who updates the NMS Sections?

Although the responsibility for ensuring that the NMS is current lies with the PWGSC NMS Secretariat, the research and review of each section is carried out by discipline specialists from both the public and private sectors. Since the NMS is used in all regions of the country, reviewers are asked to ensure that regional differences are taken into account and included in the NMS.

8. How does the NMS address environmental responsibility and sustainability?

The NMS includes SPEC NOTES specifically dealing with this subject, which assist the specification writer in making appropriate environmental and sustainable choices. In addition the NMS Secretariat is continually updating individual Sections to accommodate projects that might be seeking for LEED™ requirements and accreditation.

9. What software do I need to be able to work with the NMS?

All publishers offer NMS sections for use with commercially available software and word processor packages. Depending on your requirements, you can select from various packages available from the NMS publishers. Some offer straight text with few enhancements and others offer specification-editing systems with macros that work with the word processing software to help you more easily manage your specification projects.

Two of our publishers offer proprietary software specifically designed for editing master specification systems.

For further information on NMS-Edit Professional contact Innovative Technology Inc.

For further information about Specnique contact Digicon Information Inc.  or Spex.ca. 

10. If I need to talk to someone in the NMS Secretariat about sections in a specific Division of the NMS who should I contact?

Contact NMS Secretariat directly.

11. Who should I contact for general inquiries about the NMS?

Contact NMS Secretariat with your inquiry.

12. How do I get listed on PWGSC standing offers?

The NMS is not involved in PWGSC standing offers for manufactured goods. Because of the similarity in acronyms, the NMS frequently receives calls related to National Master Standing Offers (NMSO) which can be found on the PWGSC Computer Acquisition Guide Web site.

13. Where can I get information about how to do business with the Federal Government?

Visit the Business Access Canada Web site

14. Who translates the NMS from one language to another?

The NMS is translated by technical translators within the Translation Bureau of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

15. How can I get involved in the review of NMS sections?

Contact NMS Secretariat directly to get involved in the review of NMS Sections.

16. How can I get my product listed in the NMS?

The NMS is a generic master specification system. It does not list manufacturer's names or product and trade names according to the guidelines and policies established by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS). However, the NMS Secretariat takes every opportunity to ensure that the characteristics, physical properties and criteria for each manufacturer's products are incorporated into the appropriate sections of the NMS.