Industry Engagement

Milestones in the Collaborative Procurement Solutions Approach

December 7, 2020

Shared Services Canada (SSC) established a new procurement vehicle for the provision of contact centre services for the Government of Canada—the Government Contact Centre Services (GCCS). This vehicle includes Supply Arrangements for traditional on-site solutions—Enterprise Contact Centre Services (ECCS)—and for cloud-based solutions—Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS).

The new Government Contact Centre Services procurement vehicle will provide the Government of Canada with the latest technologies on a continual basis, as the industry standards evolve, in order to enable public servants to effectively communicate and collaborate, as they work to deliver programs and services to Canadians.

July 22, 2020

Shared Services Canada (SSC) awarded a contract to procure licenses that will be used to improve the delivery of audio and web conferencing services. These changes will allow more interoperability with existing and future conferencing services including videoconferencing. Audio and web conferencing are cost-effective alternatives to business travel and enable employees to effectively communicate and collaborate as they work to deliver programs and services to Canadians.

January 28, 2020

Shared Services Canada has established a new, integrated approach for purchasing network equipment, installation/maintenance services and managed network services for the Government of Canada. This new approach will:

• reduce administrative work
• support continuous competitive pricing
• enable the Government to adapt to evolving digital business needs by offering the latest in available network equipment

Network equipment and services provide connectivity for our day-to-day work and support secure and reliable Government networks. They also ensure that Canadians have access to digital services where and when they need them.

September 10, 2018

To support the digital delivery of programs and services, Shared Services Canada established three new supply arrangements to expand Government of Canada Wi-Fi service to employees, guests and the general public in public areas of its locations, such as service centres. This service can connect more Canadians with government programs and services, important information and more.

October 5, 2017

Shared Services Canada (SSC) has awarded a seven-year, $176M contract to TELUS to provide modern, network-based communications services. Through this contract, SSC will replace over 80,000 legacy landlines with modern, cost-effective VoIP telephone services, adding to the more than 100,000 VoIP lines already in use. The contract will also provide our customers with access to features that improve employees’ networking, productivity, mobility and collaboration. Customers will be able to select the products and services that meet their needs and purchase optional features such as voicemail-to-email integration, conference calling, instant messaging, desktop videoconferencing, and more. SSC is providing a modern, cost-effective telecommunications platform that offers improved reliability over legacy systems, service continuity and support for program and service delivery to Canadians.

October 4, 2017

As part of Shared Services Canada’s commitment to ensuring mobile voice, text and data services, we have awarded contracts of up to $432.1 million over six years to Bell Mobility and Rogers Communications Inc. to provide services to approximately 230,000 cellular devices for employees for more than 100 customers.

September 29, 2017

Shared Services Canada issued an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) on the Buy and Sell website for the Government of Canada’s Video Conferencing Procurement Vehicle.

Shared Services Canada is launching this ITQ to identify qualified suppliers who have proven experience in implementing videoconferencing solutions. Submissions will be accepted until October 24, 2017. Following a comprehensive review of the ITQ, a formal request for proposals may be issued.

For more information, please visit the Buy and Sell website.

July 26, 2017

Shared Services Canada (SSC) has awarded three Iridium Satellite Services contracts totalling $13.2M to MetOcean Telematics and Track24 Canada to continue the Government of Canada’s provision of satellite-based voice, data and geolocation services that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. The Iridium Satellite Services provide worldwide connectivity to over 4,000 subscribers at more than 25 government departments and agencies.

The renewal of the Iridium Satellite Services, along with SSC’s other Mobile Satellite Services, provides modern, secure and reliable satellite telecommunications and equipment that help ensure that the Government of Canada remains mobile and connected, no matter where in the world it works in service to Canadians.

January 13, 2017

Shared Services Canada has awarded a 10-year contract for toll-free (1-800) network services to Rogers Communications Canada Inc. The Toll-Free Network Services contract will provide modern, secure, and reliable toll-free services for Canadians and businesses contacting the Government of Canada.

November 3, 2016

Government of Canada Wi-Fi Services Invitation to Qualify

Shared Services Canada (SSC) posted an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) to Buy and Sell on November 3, 2016.

SSC is committed to supporting the Government of Canada Information Technology Strategic Plan 2016-2020 and Blueprint 2020 by enabling remote work, networking and teamwork. The Government of Canada Wi-Fi services are a key deliverable for achieving this goal successfully.

SSC is launching this ITQ to assist in identifying qualified industry respondents who meet the requirements for the project. Submissions will be accepted until November 24, 2016. Next steps will only be determined following an examination of the responses to the ITQ.

For more information about the Wi-Fi Services ITQ, visit the Buy and Sell website.

November 1, 2016

Shared Services Canada (SSC) will host a Video Conferencing Procurement Vehicle Industry Engagement Day on November 9.

SSC is moving forward with its mandate of procuring information technology infrastructure that will enhance security, modernize and improve service to Canadians.

SSC is working with industry stakeholders to replace the current Video Conferencing Standing Offer.

A key deliverable of these services for SSC has been the updating and expansion of the Government of Canada’s videoconferencing services as an alternative to business travel. This is an important way to support the greening of government operations and enable a mobile, agile workforce.

The event will be hosted in the National Capital Region and participants will be able to attend in person or via teleconference or web conferencing. The event is open to interested vendors, service providers and industry representatives across Canada.

For more information about or to register for the Video Conferencing Procurement Vehicle Industry Engagement Day on November 9, visit the Buy and Sell website.

March 16, 2016

Shared Services Canada (SSC) issued an Invitation to Qualify as the next procurement phase for the Network Solutions Supply Chain (NSSC) initiative. The Government of Canada is updating and expanding its intra-building network equipment and services to allow for wired and wireless local area networks (LAN) that appropriately secure connectivity to computers and mobile devices at more than 3,500 sites across Canada. The NSSC will be a solutions-based procurement vehicle that will enable the transformation of SSC’s wired and wireless LAN services (intra-building network services), Information Technology security services, data centre networks and wide area network connectivity as well as hardware and software licenses while supporting the maintenance of existing network equipment and services. Please see buyandsell.gc.ca for more information.

October 30, 2015

Shared Services Canada (SSC) held an Industry Engagement Day to provide the vendor and stakeholder community with an overview of potential procurement strategies and to obtain input regarding the delivery of WTD printing products and bulk printing products to SSC’s partner and client organizations.

October 22, 2015

Shared Services Canada (SSC) has awarded a contract to Bell Canada to supply network cabling services for more than 3,500 federal government offices, buildings and sites across Canada. More information is posted on buyandsell.gc.ca.

February 4, 2015

Shared Services Canada issued a request for proposals to procure the hardware and services to develop, test and host the IT infrastructure for the Government of Canada’s contact centres across the country.

December 11, 2014

SSC officials met with qualified vendors through workshops and one-on-one sessions to kick off the Review and Refine Requirements phase for Government Cabling Services. This will be followed by a formal bid-solicitation phase, which will lead to a contract award to supply network cabling services for federal government offices, buildings and sites across Canada.

November 17, 2014

As the next step in the procurement process for Workplace Communications Services, qualified vendors met with SSC officials to kick off the Review and Refine Requirements phase (RRR). The RRR phase includes several topic-specific workshops and one-on-one sessions with qualified vendors. It will be followed by a formal bid-solicitation phase, which will include input received throughout this industry consultation.

September 19, 2014

SSC awarded a contract to Bell Canada for Integrated Communications and Support Services (National), to provide SSC partners and clients with a cost-effective vehicle to purchase Voice-over Internet Protocol hardware, software and related equipment and support services, such as maintenance

August 6, 2014

Shared Services Canada (SSC) posted to buyandsell.gc.ca an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) to procure and implement Toll-Free Network Services (TFNS) for the Government of Canada.

July 22, 2014

Shared Services Canada (SSC) has posted an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) buyandsell.gc.ca. The ITQ, which closes September 2, 2014, is an invitation to interested companies to supply network cabling services for federal government offices, buildings and sites across Canada.

May 28, 2014

SSC gave an Industry Engagement Day via webcast and teleconference on the Network Solutions Supply Chain Industry Consultation. The focus was on the Network Solutions Supply Chain project, which will transform network operations inside our workplaces and ensure that cost-effective contracts are in place for network equipment purchases and services.

May 06, 2014

SSC published its notice buyandsell.gc.ca awarding a contract to Bell Canada under the Internet Interconnectivity Services (IIS), to provide two Government of Canada (GC) enterprise Internet connections, one in the NCR and one in Toronto. Through IIS, the GC is ensuring the continuity of Internet services needed to operate and to provide services to Canadians.

April 16, 2014

As the next step in the procurement process for Hosted Contact Centre Services, qualified vendors met with SSC officials to kick off the Review and Refine Requirements (RRR) phase.

April 14, 2014

The Telecommunications Transformation program published an Invitation to Qualify buyandsell.gc.ca inviting information technology companies to submit proposals for the transformation of telephone and desktop telecommunications services under the Workplace Communication Services (WCS) project.

April 10, 2014

Contracts were awarded to TELUS buyandsell.gc.ca, Bell Canada buyandsell.gc.ca and Bell Aliant buyandsell.gc.ca to provide continuity of commercial Internet services across Canada. The Local Internet Access Services will replace expiring contracts and consolidate the delivery of more than 4,000 Internet connections, used mostly to connect regional and remote offices, into a single contractual vehicle.

March 21, 2014

A contract was awarded to Advanced Chippewa Technologies Inc. buyandsell.gc.ca to renew several core foundational elements which are key building blocks required for the transformation of the GC’s IT infrastructure: Domain Name Services (DNS); Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DCHP); and IP Address Management (IPAM) infrastructure, collectively known as DDI. These will be key in the delivery of online services for Canadians.

February 27, 2014

SSC held a Data Centre Network Industry Engagement Day with a goal to improve network service connections within and between data centres as part of the Telecommunications Transformation program. High capacity, reliable and appropriately secured telecommunications connections are a key requirement to deliver more efficient operations within government and in service to Canadians.

February 24, 2014

A Request for Proposal was issued to renew several core foundational elements: Domain Name Services (DNS); Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DCHP); and IP Address Management (IPAM) infrastructure, collectively known as DDI. buyandsell.gc.ca

February 10, 2014

An Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) buyandsell.gc.ca was issued as the first procurement phase under the transformation of the government’s Hosted Contact Centre Services (HCCS) initiative. Through HCCS, existing call centre services will migrate to the modern IP based contact centre infrastructure services to allow external and internal stakeholders to contact a government service agent though multiple channels including voice, web, text, chat and video web chat.

January 8, 2014

Qualified vendors attended the first in a series of workshops and one-on-one meetings to officially kick off the Review and Refine Requirements (RRR) phase of the Government of Canada’s Wide Area Network (GCNet WAN) initiative.

December 23, 2013

An Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) buyandsell.gc.ca was issued for the supply, maintenance and support services for IP Telephony for SSC and its clients across Canada under the Integrated Communications Support Services – National.

November 6, 2013

An Invitation to Qualify was issued buyandsell.gc.ca which launched the first procurement phase of the Government of Canada’s Wide Area Network (GCNet WAN) initiative. It will replace the 50 wide area networks that interconnect all the buildings across the 43 partner organizations with a common, shared, enterprise network to deliver consistent service, increase security and reduce costs.

September 24, 2013

SSC hosted an Industry Engagement Day in the National Capital Region, with the option of remote participation via videoconferencing in Dartmouth, Toronto and Calgary. SSC presented the scope, the key outcomes and the procurement strategies for the Converged Communications Services and Contact Centre Infrastructure Services competitive processes.

July 9, 2013

Industry Engagement Day – GCNet WAN Services. SSC engaged with industry on the next phase of one component of its GCNet project, as part of the Telecommunications Transformation program. GCNet WAN Services address the work required to consolidate the wide area networks (WAN) while reducing the complexity and overall costs. It also eliminates duplication and streamlines operations, delivers a consistent service, enhances WAN Security as well as program delivery to Canadian citizens and businesses.