Shared Services Canada launches Agile Procurement Process 3.0

News release

OTTAWA March 23, 2022 – Shared Services Canada (SSC) has launched a new simplified approach to IT procurement. Agile Procurement Process 3.0 (APP 3.0) makes it easier for businesses of all sizes to compete for government of Canada contracts.

APP 3.0 engages vendors throughout the process, starting with the initial design of the solicitation and problem statement. This way, the government gets the best, most innovative proposals possible.

Under APP 3.0, contracts are awarded to selected vendors so they can produce prototypes. This lets government officials assess real-world examples of proposed solutions and choose the solution that delivers the best value to Canada and Canadians. 

APP 3.0 was developed by SSC’s Centre of Expertise in Agile and Innovative Procurement, in collaboration with TECHNATION and in consultation with numerous vendors. APP 3.0 takes a highly collaborative approach to procurement that will help the government meet its socio-economic and climate-related policy objectives.

Quotes

“We are pleased to announce this important step in modernizing procurement for the Government of Canada. Initiatives like this one, which makes selling to the government easier for small- and medium-sized businesses and businesses owned and run by underrepresented groups, are vital to achieving our socio-economic and climate-related goals.”

– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“There is a wealth of innovative IT solutions out there, and we are aware that complicated procurement processes can create a barrier to our ability to benefit from that ingenuity. APP 3.0 is one of a number of agile procurement projects SSC is working on that will not only enable our contracts to be more inclusive and accessible, but also increase the choices we have. That can only benefit Canadians in the form of even better government services and programs.”

– Sony Perron, Executive Vice-President, Shared Services Canada

“SSC has led the way in driving much needed change in technology procurement while increasing a culture of innovation. SSC’s Agile Procurement Process 3.0, leveraging Canada’s Digital Marketplace, revamps traditional procurement and collaborates with industry to solve government challenges, while providing greater access to domestic innovation. This unique approach to procurement is diversifying the government’s supply chain, delivers leading-edge services for Canadians and is helping drive Canada’s economic recovery. It is a win-win-win for Canadians, the government and Canada’s tech sector!”

Angela Mondou, President and CEO, TECHNATION

iPSS has been providing software products and IT professional services to the government for almost 20 years. We have participated in hundreds of competitive procurements led by a variety of departments and under many formats. The Agile Procurements led by SSC are new to us, and we are certain, new to the government. We are encouraged to see the commitment by SSC to continually engage with industry. They offer industry several opportunities to comment and refine requirements and use cases to benefit end users of the solution. iPSS will continue to participate in SSC’s CoEAIP Agile Procurements and looks forward to seeing how this new way of procuring evolves.’’

– Andreia Moran, Operations Manager at iPSS Inc.
iPSS is an Indigenous-owned business based in Ottawa.

Quick facts

  • In 2019, Shared Services Canada created the Centre of Expertise in Agile and Innovative Procurement.

  • In FY 2020-2021: 73% of Shared Services Canada contracts, valued at approximately $569M, were awarded to small- and medium-sized businesses. Of all contracts awarded to SMEs in FY 2019-20, 96% of the total value was awarded to Canadian SMEs.

  • Shared Services Canada awarded 99 contracts valued at approximately $42.1M to Indigenous businesses in 2020. SSC is collaborating with Indigenous Services Canada on the updated Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business to meet the government’s commitment of awarding at least 5% of all procurements to Indigenous businesses.

  • The Centre of Expertise in Agile and Innovative Procurement has run 15 pilots to test and refine Agile Procurement Process 3.0, awarding 16 contracts with a total value of up to $120 million.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Olivier Pilon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
olivier.pilon@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Shared Services Canada
media@ssc-spc.gc.ca
1-855-215-3656

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