If you’re trying to sell to the Government of Canada, learning procurement terminology is key. This expanded glossary covers the most common acronyms and concepts in federal procurement so you can bid with confidence.
ACAN – Advance Contract Award Notice
A public notice of intent to award a sole-source contract. Other vendors can challenge by proving they meet the same requirements.
Basis of Selection
Specifies how bids are evaluated and awarded: lowest price, highest score, or best value.
Bidder / Offeror / Proponent
Different terms used to refer to the individual or organization submitting a bid.
Call-up
An order or contract issued under a standing offer.
CanadaBuys
The federal government’s official procurement portal. Replaces Buyandsell.gc.ca.
Contracting Authority / Officer
The official responsible for managing the procurement process and signing contracts.
eProcurement
Online procurement systems. The Government of Canada uses SAP Ariba via the CanadaBuys portal.
Evaluation Grid / Matrix
The tool evaluators use to score and compare bids against criteria.
GCdocs
Internal government document repository. May be referenced in the SOW, though not accessible to vendors.
Master Standing Offer
A government-wide standing offer used by multiple departments (e.g., for temporary staffing services).
Mandatory Criteria
Non-negotiable requirements. Failure to meet even one will result in disqualification.
Point-Rated Criteria
Scored elements of your bid (e.g., experience, staffing, methodology) that add to your competitive score.
Procurement Business Number (PBN)
A CRA-issued identifier required to bid on federal contracts. Linked to your business number.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Used for complex procurements. Evaluated on technical merit, experience, and pricing—not just lowest cost.
Request for Quotation (RFQ)
For straightforward, low-dollar purchases. Typically awarded to the lowest-priced compliant bid.
Request for Standing Offer (RFSO)
Pre-qualifies vendors to provide goods/services on an “as-needed” basis. No contract is formed until a call-up is issued.
Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA)
Like an RFSO, but allows mini-competitions among pre-approved suppliers when work arises.
SAP Ariba
Platform used for posting opportunities, submitting bids, and contract management.
Security Clearance (Reliability, Secret, etc.)
Many contracts require individuals and/or facilities to be security-cleared by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).
Statement of Work (SOW)
Outlines the project’s deliverables, timeline, roles, and performance expectations.
Supply Arrangement (SA)
A flexible procurement tool where pre-qualified suppliers bid on specific tasks after qualification.
Task Authorization
Allows work to be issued in stages or by project under a single contract.
Technical Authority
Oversees the technical aspects of the project and ensures work aligns with the SOW.
Trade Agreements (CFTA, CETA, CPTPP, etc.)
These international agreements set the rules for procurement — including thresholds, openness, and non-discrimination.
✅ Need Help?
Our team at BidWatch can support your success with:
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Supplier registration
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Compliance with procurement rules
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Proposal writing and bid strategy
👉 Contact us today if you want one-on-one guidance or to explore our bidding support packages.
- BidWatch Canada Team