Procurement Assistance Canada’s coaching service provides personalized assistance to businesses owned by diverse groups who have had limited success bidding on federal government opportunities.
Participating businesses work one-on-one with a coach to improve on the areas of the bidding process where they need assistance. Coaching sessions include reviewing online resources and completing activities to familiarize bidders with information and tasks that can help them submit compliant and competitive bids. Participation in coaching does not guarantee a contract.
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About the coaching service
The coaching service includes:
- An introductory meeting with a coach to review the procurement process and prepare for coaching discussions;
- 3 hours of one-on-one coaching;
- Personalized assistance to address the specific areas of bidding where your business requires additional support;
- Activities and discussion to address the most common questions from unsuccessful bidders: how to find the best opportunities for your business, how to create compliant bids, how to create a custom bidding roadmap for your business, how to create a bidding template from the solicitation documents; and,
- A participant guide with bidding resources and tools.
Learn more about the coaching service, including how the service is structured and what to expect as a participant.
Why participate
The coaching service builds on our existing service offerings. It delivers a more personalized experience for businesses owned by diverse groups who have had only limited success and intend to continue bidding on federal government opportunities.
The goal of the service is to provide the tools and answers that businesses need to find, understand, and respond to procurement opportunities with the Government of Canada.
Who can participate
The service is open to representatives of businesses owned or managed by equity-deserving groups who have had limited success in bidding on federal government opportunities.
Participation criteria
Participating businesses must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Your business is at least 51% owned or managed by an equity-deserving group (Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, persons with disabilities, racialized communities, and women);
- Your business has previously bid on federal government opportunities with limited success (e.g. 3 or fewer contracts in the past 3 years);
- Your business has a Procurement Business Number (PBN); and/or is registered in SAP Ariba; and,
- Your business intends to bid on future federal tender opportunities.*
*Exclusions: The coaching service does not apply to businesses who submit primarily through Professional Services systems: Centralized Professionals Services Solution (CPSS), Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS), Task-Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS), Temporary Help Services (THS). Also excluded: Directory of linguistic services suppliers - Translation Bureau and SELECT (Construction, Engineering and Architecture).
Participants must agree to the following:
- Ability to commit to all of the required sessions: an introductory meeting and three 1-hour coaching sessions;
- Willing to participate in a remote-only service (by video or by telephone).
Learn more about participation criteria, including how equity-deserving groups are defined and how eligibility is determined.
Procurement Assistance Canada offers a range of services that serve Canadian businesses. These include educational sessions like seminars and workshops, as well as personalized assistance provided by our regional offices. If the coaching service isn’t right for you, visit our Service Guide to find the best fit for your business.
Application process
Applying for coaching is a short two-step process:
- You will complete a brief set of screening questions to determine if your business meets the eligibility criteria for coaching.
- If your business is eligible, you will be invited to continue to the application form.
Note: If your business is not eligible for coaching, we will direct you to additional Procurement Assistance Canada services that can help you.