Contracting Services
In Swift Current & District
Grow your business and secure steady work.
Bidding on contracts can be a complicated process, riddled with hoops and red tape. Don’t let these common obstacles stand in the way of you landing an important project. These bidding basics will help you understand the bidding process and put you on a path to throwing a compliant, competitive hat into any ring.
Register your business
If you want to take advantage of government contracts, you may need to obtain some certifications such as classifying your business as a small business or receive a certification of your women- or veteran-owned status. To bid on contracts in Saskatchewan, you must have a registered business with the proper legal structure and business number. You can register your business with the ISC Corporate Registry.
Attend pre-bid conferences
If the solicitation you are responding to includes a pre-bid conference, make every effort to attend. Pre-bid conferences provide you with an opportunity to ask questions, learn more details about the good or service being solicited, and to network with the soliciting agency and prospective prime and sub contractors.
Complete and submit all the appropriate standardized forms
Ensure you meet all the requirements and provide all necessary documentation. The most frequent mistake by vendors is submitting the solicitation form back to the government unsigned. The next most common mistake is neglecting to attach another required form that had to be obtained elsewhere. Finally, it is a common error for vendors to not double check the forms and leave blanks where information should have been submitted.
Research potential contracts
Research potential contracts and ensure they align with your capabilities and capacity. Consider the scope of work, required timelines, and the budget when deciding which contracts to bid on. It is a common mistake for vendors to offer something better, something more cost effective, something different. If it is not what is being solicited, your offer is non-responsive and will be rejected. If the government specifically allows alternate solutions or products, then you may have some flexibility in what you propose.
Prepare a competitive bid
Prepare a competitive bid that includes a detailed breakdown of your costs, including labour, materials, and any other expenses. Pricing that is, on its face, unreasonably low or high will cause alarm in the evaluation of your offer. Your pricing should be carefully constructed, fully loaded. You should research similar purchases by the government to get a feel for the market and what your competitors are charging. In the end, you want to make a profit. Bidding a loss contract just to “get your foot in the door” is not a sound tactic.
Consider subcontracting
If you specialize in a niche market, or if you are interested in working on a specific part of a large project, consider bidding as a subcontractor instead of as a prime. The advantages of subcontracting include increased opportunities to increase your competitive edge, share the risks and rewards of a project, integrate different skills, and provide complementary capabilities to a project. Subcontractors should attend all pre-bid conferences as a way to meet prime contractors and to identify where the subcontracting opportunities exist.
Proofread
It is always advisable to have someone else proofread your offer when it is ready for submission, and edit it if necessary. Make sure that your offer is clear, concise and understandable. Simplicity and clarity will carry the day. If the government cannot understand it, if they have questions, they will probably not give you a second chance to explain yourself.
Build a strong reputation
Building a strong reputation and track record is crucial to winning bids. Deliver high-quality work on time and within budget, and ask satisfied clients for testimonials or referrals. Building relationships with other contractors, suppliers, and industry professionals can help you access new business opportunities and collaborate on larger contracts.
Contract Opportunities
Bidding on contracts requires careful preparation, research, and a competitive bid. By building a strong reputation and network, and leveraging the resources available to you, you can successfully bid on contracts and grow your business in Saskatchewan.
SaskTenders
SaskTenders is the primary gateway for public sector tender notices for Saskatchewan. With hundreds of open competitions at any given time, SaskTenders is the best way to access public tender opportunities in Saskatchewan.
SK Startup Institute
SK Startup Institute is your first step as an entrepreneur looking to get a head start with access to expert guidance and critical research data. From expert advising to exclusive research reports and everything in between.
Merx Canada
Merx is an online procurement platform that connects businesses with government and public sector procurement opportunities.
Doing Business with Government
Find business opportunities; access the tendering system; become a registered supplier, bid on communications and projects; and find policies and procedures.