Selling IT to the Ontario government and broader public sector

Ontario has Canada's largest provincial public sector, with ministries, agencies, cities, hospitals, school boards, colleges and universities all buying technology.

The Ontario Public Service

Where tenders are posted. Ministries publish competitive opportunities on the Ontario Tenders Portal. Register as a supplier to download documents and bid.

Vendor of record (VOR) arrangements. Much of the province's IT buying, including IT consulting, software and cloud, goes through VOR arrangements: pre-qualified supplier lists, refreshed periodically. If your service is covered, winning a place on the VOR at its next competition is your way in.

Supply Ontario. A provincial agency that leads much of the centralized buying for the government and works with the broader public sector.

Ontario Digital Service sets digital standards for ministry services, including the Ontario Digital Service Standard, which favours user-centred, agile delivery.

The broader public sector

Hospitals, school boards, colleges, universities and other publicly funded bodies follow the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive, which sets rules such as competitive procurement above set thresholds. They post on their own portals, often via commercial services such as Bids and Tenders or MERX, and buy through group purchasing organizations like OECM for education and HealthPRO or Mohawk Medbuy for health. See selling to universities, schools and hospitals.

Municipalities

Ontario's cities and regions each have their own purchasing bylaws and portals. Larger municipalities are covered by trade agreements above set values. See selling IT to local government.

Preferences for Ontario businesses

Through the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative, Ontario requires many public sector buyers to give preference to Ontario businesses on purchases below certain trade agreement thresholds. Check the current rules and thresholds for each buyer.

Accessibility and privacy

• AODA, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, requires many organizations' websites to meet WCAG 2.0 AA, and public buyers often ask for more. See accessibility requirements.
• FIPPA and MFIPPA govern provincial and municipal information, and PHIPA governs health information.

See also selling IT to government in Canada.

Common questions

Where are Ontario government tenders posted?

Ministries use the Ontario Tenders Portal. Broader public sector bodies and municipalities often use their own portals or services like Bids and Tenders and MERX.

What is a vendor of record arrangement in Ontario?

It's a pre-qualified list of suppliers that ministries and some other buyers can use for common goods and services, including many IT services.

Do Ontario public buyers prefer Ontario companies?

On many smaller purchases below trade agreement thresholds, the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative requires a preference for Ontario businesses.