Information for Industry

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) issues all contracts for advertising services on behalf of departments. Contracts are awarded through an open and transparent national competitive process.

Agency of Record

The Government of Canada uses the services of a single Agency of Record (AOR) to purchase media. An AOR enables the government to get better value by leveraging the collective buying power of departments. Centralizing these services also enables better oversight, control and reporting.

The current AOR is Cossette Media of Toronto, a division of Cossette Communication Inc. Cossette was awarded a two-year contract (plus three one-year extension options) in February 2010, following a national competitive solicitation process.

Planning and Creative Agencies

PWGSC has established a roster of agencies on standing offers and supply arrangements of varying dollar amounts to provide planning and creative services to departments.

Along with these, PWGSC has also established standing offers specifically for Aboriginal companies. The Aboriginal Set-Aside Program is intended to increase Aboriginal business participation in government procurement and support Aboriginal economic development, people and communities.

Standing Offers

In June 2013, the following firms were awarded a standing offer of up to $200,000, for two years with the option of two one-year extensions.

  • Agency 59 Ltd.
  • BCP Ltée
  • Brad Inc.
  • Communications Bleublancrouge Inc.
  • Compass Communications Inc.
  • kbs+p canada
  • MacLaren McCann Canada Inc.
  • Manifest Communications Inc.
  • Ogilvy Montréal Inc.
  • Target Marketing & Communications Inc.

Aboriginal Set-Aside Standing Offers for Advertising Services

In July 2013, PWGSC awarded Aboriginal set-aside standing offers of up to $350,000, to the following three firms.

  • Earthlore Communications
  • Det'on Cho Tait Communications
  • Spirit Creative Advertising & Promotion Inc.

Suppliers interested in Aboriginal procurement can get more information from buyandsell.gc.ca.

Standing Offers for Public Notices Services

The following companies were awarded standing offers at the same time, specifically for development and planning of public notices services, for a value up to $100,000.

  • Acart Communications Inc.
  • Compass Communications Inc.
  • Quiller & Blake Advertising Ltd.

Supply Arrangements

In July 2013, 13 supply arrangements were awarded to agencies for the development of individual campaigns with an estimated value of more than $200,000.

  • Acart Communications Inc.
  • Agency 59 Ltd
  • BCP Ltée
  • Brown Communications Group Inc.
  • Communications bleu blanc rouge Inc.
  • Compass Communications Inc.
  • Entreprise de communications Tank Inc.
  • kbs+p Canada Inc.
  • MacLaren McCann Canada Inc.
  • Manifest Communications Inc.
  • Ogilvy Montréal Inc.
  • Ogilvy & Mather
  • Target Marketing & Communications Inc.

Request for Proposals

For certain campaigns, PWGSC also issues Requests for Proposals on buyandsell.gc.ca. Typically, these campaigns are complex with multiple themes and components and span more than one year. An example is the Department of National Defence's recruitment campaign which includes national, seasonal and regional components.