Buying and Selling

Table of Contents

A. Services and initiatives

1. Key Services

We provide departments and agencies with the expertise needed to acquire complex, commercial goods and services.

Buying – Procurement Tools and Services

  • Assistance through the procurement lifecycle:
    • Identifying the goods or services to be purchased
    • Selecting the most effective procurement approach to managing the bidding process
    • Using the Government Electronic Tendering System (GETS), etc.
  • Support with standing offers, supply arrangements, etc.
  • Additional services and expertise:
    • Market research to identify product availability
    • Product planning
    • Method-of-supply studies
    • Policy development and review
    • Maintenance of a statistical database and reporting capability
    • Procurement tools to support the electronic procurement function

Client Relationship Management

  • Effective engagement
  • Reliable communications
  • Monitoring client satisfaction
  • Issues management
  • Strategic planning and service agreements
  • Program oversight
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2. Featured Initiatives

We are transforming and creating new services to better meet our clients' needs and provide the best value for money.

Buyandsell.gc.ca

What: Buyandsell.gc.ca, a Web portal for government buyers and industry suppliers. Find information for doing business, and specific procurement tools and methods to purchase goods and services from suppliers.

Benefits: 

  • Various search options to find procurement tools and services.
  • New Standing Offer Index Quick Search – government buyerscan refine their search by selecting from a list of most requested goods and services.

What's New:

  • Release of version 2.0 of Buyingandsell.gc.ca - revamped and more search options!
  • Migration of the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) to Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders - for more transparency and improved client service.

Keep in touch by consulting the News and Events sections of Buyandsell.gc.ca

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Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP)

What: A research and development procurement program designed to bridge the pre-commercialization gap by supporting Canadian companies in moving their innovations into the marketplace.

The top-ranked prequalified innovations are matched with federal departments, which act as the first buyer and user of these Canadian innovations.

Benefits:

  • Federal departments can test state-of-the-art Canadian innovations, improve operations, and enable more effective service delivery to Canadians.
  • The initiative gives departments the opportunity to meet with potential suppliers to discuss challenges and needs, and explore how these suppliers can assist in meeting their operational requirements.

What's new:

  • Name has been changed from Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program to Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP).
  • Program is now permanent.
  • Addition of a military component.
  • More details coming soon.
  • Check out the new report on the experience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with government procurement!

B. Value for Your Money and Cost Avoidance

PWGSC's extensive Contracting and Procurement experience: 

  • Timely and flexible access to private sector
  • Experience in negotiating supply arrangements and standing offers
  • Ability to use purchasing power and to maximize value to the Government and Canadians
  • Valuable market intelligence due to our regional presence across the country
  • Compliance with contracting rules and international trade agreements requirements such as NAFTA
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C. Service Standards, Results and Targets

We have surpassed 3 of our 9 targets for our buying and selling services and, as the arrows show, we have made progress compared to 2011-12 results when there were shortcomings.

In 2013-14, we will focus our efforts on the higher value contracts. In 2014-2015, we will refine our service standards based on the levels of complexity of awarded contracts, to better serve you.

Table Summary

The Table on Service Standards, Results and Targets for the Buying and Selling service category shows service targets and results for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, and service targets for 2013-2014 for the following services: Procurement Tools and Services; and client Relationship Management. The table also indicates if the results are available by client in 2012-13.

Buying and Selling Target
2011-2012		 Result
2011-2012		 Target
2012-2013		 Result
2012-2013		 Available
by client  		Target
2013-2014
Procurement Tools and Services
Acknowledge receipt of client requisitions sent electronically (e.g., by email) within 1 business day 80% 100%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed 95%Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year 99%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed √ 95%
Acknowledge receipt of client requisitions sent by fax or mail within 2 business days 80% 97%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed 95%Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year 97%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed √ 95%
Provide clients with their procurement officer's name and contact information within 5 business days of allocation or requisition 80% 64% 80% Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year75% √ 80%
Award contracts in the National Capital Region and regions within the following timeframes based on contract value:
  • Under $25,000, within 45 working days
  • Between $25,000 and $100,000, within 80 workings days
  • Between $100,000 and $400,000, within 100 working days
  • Between $400,000 and $1,000,000, within 100 working days 
80% 75% 80% 63.3% √ N/A
80% 79% 80% Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year79.5% √ 80%
80% 80%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed 80% Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year82.4%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed √ 80%
─ ─ 80% 71% √ 80%
Client Relationship Management
Acknowledge clients' inquiries within 1 business dayFootnote * 90% 99%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed 95%Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year N/A   95%
Respond to clients' inquiries within 3 business daysFootnote * 90% 97%Indicates that the target was met or surpassed 95%Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year N/A   95%

Footnotes

Footnote *

In 2012-2013, the service standards applied to inquiries addressed to client executives as well as all other Acquisitions Branch staff at the manager level and above.

Return to footnote *

Legend:
Indicates that the target was met or surpassedIndicates that the target was met or surpassed.
Indicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous yearIndicates that the target has increased or the result has improved from the previous year.

If you would like to have the service standard results for your department (when the information is available), please contact your account executives. NEW!

We take our commitments on service standards very seriously. If you have any concerns related to our service standards or have any suggestions on how we can improve, feel free to contact us at SIS@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca.

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D. At Your Service: Concrete Example

Check out how we go the extra mile for our clients NEW!

Example 1:

In the summer of 2009, PWGSC and the Department of National Defence (DND) started the three-year, multi-phase procurement process for the armoured patrol vehicles. This project used a ‘smart procurement’ approach meaning that we established formal mechanisms to communicate with the industry to better serve our clients and ensure that Canadians are able to get the best value for their money.

PWGSC engaged with suppliers from the beginning of the process - by issuing a Letter of Interest to industry seeking information on vehicle capabilities - and was consulted throughout the process.Suppliers were able to offer different perspectives on the specifications that could lead to savings for Canadians, and an independent third party was engaged to observe and provide an impartial opinion on the fairness, openness and transparency of the procurement.

When the Request for Proposal (RFP) was finally posted, there were no surprises and when the contracts were awarded in summer 2012, the unsuccessful bidders praised Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) for engaging suppliers throughout the procurement process and found that it was a good and fair process.

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E. How satisfied are you?

You were more satisfied about our services in 2011-12 and 2012-13 compared to 2009.

  • Quarter 1 to Quarter 3 of Fiscal Year 2012-2013 —  71% satisfaction rating.
  • Fiscal Year 2011-2012 — 74% client satisfaction rating.
  • Benchmark:  2009 Ekos Survey — 51% client satisfaction rating.  
Image Description

The graph is a bar graph with 3 bars related to percentages of client satisfied. The following information is presented for the bars:

  • Bar 1: Benchmark: 2009 Ekos Survey – 51% client satisfaction rating.
  • Bar 2: Fiscal Year 2011-2012 – 74% client satisfaction rating.
  • Bar 3: Quarter 1 to Quarter 3 of Fiscal Year 2012-2013 – 71% satisfaction rating.

Sources: Post Contract Assessment request; 2009 Ekos Survey

F. To learn more about Our Buying and Selling Services

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