Responsible IT procurement
We follow open, fair and competitive procurement practices, in line with the Directive on the Management of Procurement. In addition, we meet Canada’s obligations under domestic and international trade agreements, ensuring equal access to procurement opportunities for Canadian and international suppliers.
Using a whole-of-government approach, we:
- identify government-wide technology needs
- select qualified suppliers
- manage contracts and software licences
- monitor vendor performance and product delivery
Supporting Canadian businesses
Our competitive IT procurement contracts include clauses that align with the Government of Canada’s new Buy Canadian policies and requirements. These measures are designed to support Canadian businesses and promote economic growth across the country.
To learn more, visit Buy Canadian - Canada.ca.
Social procurement
We are committed to advancing the Government of Canada’s priorities by embedding sustainability, reconciliation, accessibility and official language considerations into our procurement practices.
This reflects our dedication to supporting social, economic and environmental goals.
Green procurement
At SSC, we:
- integrate environmental criteria into contracts to support the goals of the Greening Government Strategy (GGS)
- use tools such as lifecycle assessments to evaluate the environmental impacts of purchased goods and services
- encourage major suppliers to adopt science-based emission reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement and to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and environmental performance
To learn more, visit Greening at SSC.
Indigenous reconciliation
At SSC, we:
- embed Indigenous economic considerations into procurement processes, supported by tools, guidance and resources
- advocate for stronger Indigenous procurement policies through interdepartmental collaboration
- ensure transparency and accountability through regular reporting on Indigenous procurement targets
Accessibility
At SSC, we:
- align procurement activities with SSC’s Accessibility Plan and the objectives of the Accessible Canada Act
- provide tools, resources and training to procurement teams to embed accessibility considerations into contracts
- engage with stakeholders like SSC’s Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) team and business owners to optimize technical accessibility requirements
Official languages
At SSC, we:
- ensure equality of English and French across all procurement activities, consistent with the Official Languages Act
- provide tools and guidance to our procurement staff to ensure procurements align with official language requirements