The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) was initiated to standardize how contracting data and documents can be published in an accessible, structured, and repeatable way. OCDS is a core product of the Open Contracting. One aspect of the OCDS is to use a standard language for contracting data that can be understood by all users.
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) Pilot is a demonstration of the standard using Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) data. It is a PWGSC and Treasury Board initiative in support of Canada's commitment to the Open Contracting Partnership to increase disclosure and participation in government contracting. The pilot is intended to bring together data for procurements conducted by PWGSC on behalf of government departments and agencies since 2012.
The OCDS Pilot supports the principle of Open Information which is part of Canada’s Action Plan on Open Government 2014 – 2016. The Government of Canada continues to make open contracting a priority to ensure accountability and transparency in the federal procurement process.
What procurement data is included in the OCDS Pilot?
Presently, the OCDS Pilot uses PWGSC data that includes: standing offer and supply arrangements, tenders, awards, and contract history information for procurements conducted by PWGSC on behalf of government departments and agencies since 2012.
Using unique identifiers, the OCDS intends to link procurement information together in one open data file. This will make it easier for users to understand the procurement process for individual procurements including the planning, tender, award, contract, and implementation phases.
To learn more about the data file, visit the Download OCDS Pilot Data web page.
To discover how businesses or third party service providers can use OCDS Pilot data, visit the Visualization and Use of OCDS Pilot Data web page.
What is the difference between the existing PWGSC Contract History and the OCDS Pilot?
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) already publishes its Contract History as open data on Buyandsell.gc.ca. The Contract History dataset only contains information about the contract phase for procurements awarded by PWGSC since January 2009, on behalf of federal departments and agencies. The dataset includes contractor name and address, the procurement entity (government department or agency), contract value and delivery point and uses data elements specific to PWGSC.
In addition to the contract phase, the OCDS Pilot also includes standing offer and supply arrangement information and the tender and award phases. Certain elements that are used in PWGSC Contract History are not required in the OCDS Pilot data file.