Direct award

Giving a contract to one supplier without a competition, allowed only in set cases such as low value, urgency or only one possible supplier. Buyers usually must publish why.

Also called: Sole source, Single source, Non-competitive contract

Related terms

Advance contract award notice (ACAN)

A Canadian federal notice saying the government plans to award a contract to a named supplier without competition. Any other supplier that can do the work may challenge it before the deadline.

Low-value procurement

Purchases below a buyer’s formal tender threshold, bought by quotes or direct award. A large share of small IT jobs is bought this way, often from firms the buyer already knows.