Procurement in the Government of Canada is under more scrutiny than ever. Whether you’re running a simple RFP or a multi-million-dollar project, transparency and defensibility are non-negotiable. That’s where AWARD® comes in.
We’ve put together this Q&A to explain how AWARD® helps public sector teams run better evaluations – structured, efficient, and rock-solid when challenged.
Q: What exactly is AWARD®, and why should my procurement team care about it?
AWARD® is a software platform that helps public sector procurement teams run structured, consistent, and defensible bid evaluations. It’s not a marketplace tool or e-sourcing system; it focuses specifically on evaluation – the point in your procurement where the biggest decisions and risks happen.
Q: We already use Excel and email, why change?
Many teams rely on Excel and email to manage evaluations, and for the most basic procurements, that can work. However, when projects grow in complexity, those tools create risk. People lose track of versions, scoring isn’t consistent, and you end up with a process that’s hard to explain, or defend later on. In one project involving over 100 evaluators across Canada, AWARD® made it possible to manage scoring, consensus, and audit trails – remotely and reliably. That simply wouldn’t have worked with spreadsheets.
Q: Does it align with Government of Canada procurement policy?
Absolutely! AWARD® is built with public sector (Government of Canada included) rules in mind – especially around fairness, openness, and transparency. It aligns with Treasury Board and PSPC standards. Every action, every score, comment, and consensus decision is tracked and timestamped. You don’t have to scramble to justify decisions after the fact – you have the receipts.
Q: What about big or complex projects? Does AWARD® hold up?
Yes. AWARD® has successfully supported some of the largest, most complex procurements in Canada. The tool’s structured approach makes it possible to vigorously test multiple evaluation schemes and scenarios ahead of time, adjust scoring, and confidently justify your bid evaluation decisions.
Q: What kinds of procurements is AWARD® best suited for?
Any procurement that uses rated criteria – especially when:
- Multiple evaluators are involved
- Defensibility and transparency are priorities
- Multiple departments or stakeholders are reviewing
Q: Does it meet Government of Canada data and IT requirements?
Yes! AWARD®:
- Is hosted in Canada
- Is bilingual
- Can handle sensitive or secret information
Q: Who is using AWARD® right now?
AWARD® has been used extensively by the Department of National Defence, PSPC, and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada across a large profile of complex procurements. It’s also being used on the provincial level by organizations like Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx.
Q. How long will it take to implement AWARD®?
Implementation is quick – we can get your team up and running in days, not weeks. Our friendly help desk team are also on call to support and guide your users through the platform, and we have a range of self-help resources available too. We also have training options available on request.
Q: How can we access AWARD®?
AWARD® is pre-qualified through a number of supply arrangements like SBIPS, TBIPS, TSPS, ProServices, and SaaSSA. We can share all the details, just get in touch.
Q: And who should I get in touch with to learn more?
You can contact me directly at ehammond@commercedecisions.com, or give me a call on my cell, (343)-961-6409. If your team is planning a complex procurement, or you just want to learn more, let’s talk.
