Get ready to win your first government contract.
Getting into government contracting in Canada takes more than a good proposal. Before the first bid come supplier registrations, the right bid portals, requirements like insurance, WSIB or security screening, and sometimes a standing offer, supply arrangement or prequalified list. Kenley Pursuit gets owner-led firms ready, so the first bid you write is one you can win.
Is government work right for your firm?
We start with a short, honest check: the size and type of contracts you could realistically win, and who buys what you sell, whether that’s federal departments, a province, municipalities or the broader public sector such as hospitals, universities and school boards. In our experience, the first win often takes several bids, so it pays to aim those bids well from the start.
What has to be in place before you bid
The plain list. We work out which parts apply to the work you want.
- Supplier registration. Registering on CanadaBuys for federal work, and on the provincial and municipal portals your buyers use, for example MERX or bids&tenders.
- Where the opportunities are. Saved searches and alert keywords for the notices that fit you.
- Requirements that apply to your work. Security screening through the federal Contract Security Program where a contract needs it, insurance, WSIB or other certificates, and accessibility or bilingual requirements.
- Your evidence. Past projects, references, résumés of key people, and a short capability statement.
- Standing offers and supply arrangements. Whether any matter for you. Some public buyers only award certain work, from construction to IT and consulting, to firms already on a standing offer, supply arrangement or prequalified list. If one applies to you, we prepare you to qualify at the next intake.
What you get
- A readiness report: where you stand and what’s missing
- Every registration and portal set up in your name
- A document and reference kit
- Alerts set up for the notices that fit you
- A plan to your first realistic bid
How it works
Intake call
What you sell, who you want to sell it to, and what you already have.
Check and set up
We check the requirements and walk you through each registration. You create and own every account.
Report and plan
Where you stand, what’s missing, and a plan to your first realistic bid.
Your first bid
When the right opportunity comes up, we can run the bid with you.
Who it’s for
Best for
Owner-led firms new to selling to any level of government: a city or town, a province, the federal government, or public bodies such as hospitals, universities and school boards. Also firms that already sell to one buyer and want to start bidding with another.
Not the right fit if
You want someone to promise a contract, or a place on a standing offer or prequalified list. Nobody outside the buyer can. We get you ready; the buyer decides.
Questions about getting into government contracting
How do I start selling to the Government of Canada?
For federal work, register as a supplier on CanadaBuys through SAP Business Network (the official guide). Provinces, municipalities and other public buyers use their own portals, such as MERX or bids&tenders. Then set up alerts for the notices that fit you, and get your evidence ready before an RFP lands. Some work also needs insurance, security screening or a place on a standing offer or prequalified list. We do this with you.
Do I need security clearance to bid on government contracts?
Only for contracts that list security requirements, and many don’t. A firm can’t apply on its own: it is sponsored for screening through the federal Contract Security Program, usually by the procurement officer on a bid or contract that needs it. It takes time, so it’s worth knowing early.
What are standing offers, supply arrangements and prequalified lists?
Lists of suppliers a buyer has qualified in advance, who can then be called on or compete for work. Provinces, municipalities and public agencies often prequalify contractors for construction projects and services. Federal examples include TBIPS for IT professional services and ProServices for a wider range of professional services. Each list has its own intake. We check you against the criteria and prepare you for the next intake; acceptance is the government’s decision.
How long does it take to win a first government contract?
It varies, and nobody honest can promise a date. In our experience, many firms bid several times before a first win. Readiness makes sure those bids are well chosen.
Can you guarantee we’ll win or be accepted?
No. Nobody outside government can.
Related
- Government proposal writing services: we run your first bid with you.
- Bid/no-bid guide: how to tell which RFPs are worth chasing.
- All services
Got an opportunity you’re not sure about?
Send it over. You’ll get an honest first read and a clear next step.