Inuit business and federal procurement
This is a directive to address the under-representation of Inuit business participation in federal procurement processes and support the creation and growth of Inuit businesses.
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About Inuit business and federal procurement
Article 24 of the Nunavut Settlement Agreement is the Government of Canada's directive to support Inuit businesses with procurement opportunities in the federal government.
The directive:
- helps address the under-representation of Inuit business participation in the federal procurement process
- enhances the creation, growth and long-term viability of Inuit businesses by helping them compete for federal procurement opportunities in the Nunavut Settlement Area
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is the policy owner and program administrator as well as the manager of the Directive on Government Contracts, Including Real Property Leases, in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The directive is to provide reasonable support and assistance to Inuit firms in order to enable them to compete for government contracts, including real property leases in the Nunavut Settlement Area.
The directive has 2 parts:
- to help eligible Inuit businesses compete for federal procurements
- to help other federal government departments fulfill their Indigenous procurement requests
ISC advocates for Inuit businesses so they are able to:
- improve the capacity to compete for federal government contracts
- work on major crown projects
- have access to tools to increase their visibility to federal procurement officers
- explore partnerships and joint-ventures
- ensure that bids are evaluated in a way that values an increase in socio-economic benefits to Inuit businesses and communities
- enter new supply chains including links to other businesses in Canada
ISC supports other federal organizations in meeting their Article 24 procurement objectives by:
- demonstrating through market research evidence of Inuit business capacity to provide a certain good or service
- providing advice and guidance on incorporating Inuit participation within federal procurement processes
- educating procurement officers on the benefits and obligations of Inuit procurement
- maintaining a network of procurement specialists who act as Inuit procurement coordinators within their respective departments
For more information on how federal procurement works and how you can participate as an Inuit business owner please visit procurement information for Inuit business owners.
Nunavut Directive: grants and contributions funding
Under the Directive on Government Contracts, Including Real Property Leases, in the Nunavut Settlement Area, ISC receives $1.125 million per year to help Inuit firms develop business capacity to become bid-ready for government contracts.
Project submissions are reviewed by a government-Inuit oversight committee called the Nunavut Business Development Investment Committee, with funds distributed through ISC’s Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program after review and approval of Inuit firm applications.
To receive funds individuals and businesses need to be approved for the Inuit Firm status and added into the Inuit Firm Registry. The registry is available to the general public. The businesses listed on the registry are renewed annually.
Through engagement and working with its Inuit partners, ISC has succeeded in funding Inuit organizations and projects with$5 million over the next 4 years.
Reporting on Article 24 of the Nunavut Settlement Agreement
ISC is required to produce a report each quarter and 1 report annually that meet the guidelines as outlined in the Directive on Government Contracts, Including Real Property Leases, in the Nunavut Settlement Area.
| Report type | Date due |
|---|---|
| 1st quarter (April 1 to June 30) | July 30 |
| 2nd quarter (July 1 to September 30) | October 31 |
| 3rd quarter (October 1 to December 31) | January 31 |
| 4th quarter (January 1 to March 31) | May 30 |
| Annual | September 30 |
The reporting templates for each quarter and the annual report are below: (Embed Excel templates)
- Nunavut Directive Procurement reporting template MS Excel Version (609 Kb)
- Nunavut Directive Real Property reporting template MS Excel Version (521 Kb)
Contact us
Economic and business opportunities
Indigenous Services Canada
10 rue Wellington,
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4
Email: aadnc.nunavutprocurement.aandc@canada.ca (English)
aadnc.approvissionnementnunavut.aandc@canada.ca (French)