About: Software as a service supply arrangement
On this page
- About this supply arrangement
- Overview
- Government of Canada cloud delivery structure
- Procurement process
- How to participate
- More information
About this supply arrangement
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of the Government of Canada (GC), has issued a request for supply arrangement (RFSA) to establish a new method of supply to satisfy various software as a service (SaaS) requirements. This new method of supply is a key procurement enabler for the GC’s Cloud First direction and is part of an envisioned GC Cloud services procurement vehicle framework that will consist of various methods of supply to satisfy both classified and unclassified cloud requirements.
The objectives of the SaaS supply arrangement (SaaSSA) are to:
- simplify the procurement process to acquire SaaS solutions and support GC procurement modernization and contract simplification initiatives
- establish pre-negotiated terms and conditions for contracts resulting from the vehicle
- increase competition and access to the latest SaaS solutions on the market for the GC
- increase transparency, openness and fairness in public sector procurement processes
Overview
The SaaS procurement vehicle:
- is the method of supply for SaaS solutions and related professional services
- has 4 streams covering multiple levels of security:
- stream 1 includes SaaS solutions and services that comply with Canada’s requirements for storing and processing Protected B information as detailed in Annex A: Qualification requirements, Tier 2 of the RFSA
- stream 2 includes SaaS solutions and services that comply with Canada’s requirements for storing and processing information up to Protected A, as detailed in Annex A: Qualification requirements, Tier 1 of the RFSA
- stream 3 includes value-added resellers of SaaS solutions and services that comply with Canada’s requirements for storing and processing information up to Protected A, as detailed in Annex A: Qualification requirements, Tier 1 of the RFSA. Value-added resellers are not permitted to qualify under Protected B
- stream 4 includes suppliers or value-added resellers with SaaS solutions and services that comply with Canada’s requirement for storing and processing unclassified information
Government of Canada cloud delivery structure
The SaaSSA for up to Protected B information responds to PSPC’s mandate to create a source of supply for client-focused SaaS products. PSPC’s mandate is primarily directed at, though not necessarily limited to, the software applications that are supportive of GC clients in their service delivery and back-office functions.
Shared Services Canada (SSC) has been mandated to create sources of supply for cloud software related to infrastructure, networks, and cybersecurity. SSC’s mandate is primarily directed at platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) solutions, as well as SaaS solutions directly related to workplace technology devices.
Procurement process
The SaaSSA method of supply is a 2-phased procurement process.
Phase 1: Suppliers are assessed against the requirements of the SaaS Request for supply arrangement: Software as a service pre-qualified and issued a supply arrangement (SA) on the basis of meeting all of the RFSA requirements and accepting all of the terms and conditions of the RFSA.
Phase 2: Approved PSPC and client authorities complete their requirements and/or award a contract to an SA holder via simplified bid solicitations or through sole sourcing when mandatory sole source justification is met.
How to participate
If you’re an SaaS supplier interested in participating in this procurement tool and helping to meet GC business needs, please follow the instructions detailed in the RFSA.