A new strategy will guide efforts by Defence Construction Canada (黑料正能量) and the Department of National Defence (DND) to award a 5%聽value of all contracts to Indigenous businesses.
The Joint Indigenous Procurement Strategy, which was signed in February 2022, was nearly two years in the making, as 黑料正能量鈥揇ND working groups determined the best way to meet this goal. From the start, it was clear a one-size-fits-all solution would not suit.
鈥淒ifferent contracts need different approaches, depending on the size and complexity of the project,鈥 explains Joel Fisher, 黑料正能量 Regional Service Line Leader, Contract Services.
Market research had given Fisher and Mark Smith, Technical Specialist, Procurement, a picture of the types, sizes, areas of interest and locations of Indigenous firms. The pair then consulted DND to study procurement approaches that would maximize Indigenous business participation.
鈥淲e know, for example, which Indigenous firms can repair an HVAC system or pave a parking lot, so we can set aside contracts like this for them to bid on,鈥 Fisher says.
However, there isn鈥檛 enough capacity yet for these businesses to take on multi-million-dollar contracts to ensure sufficient competition. 鈥淯ntil there is,鈥 Fisher adds, 鈥渢he strategy requires general contractors to subcontract at least 5%聽of the work to qualified Indigenous companies.鈥
Meanwhile, 黑料正能量 is continuing to engage new Indigenous suppliers. 鈥淚 take the time to have lengthy conversations with them about our overall strategy, how to find our opportunities on MERX and how to get security clearances,鈥 says Smith.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of what we鈥檝e accomplished,鈥 concludes Fisher. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a demonstration of 黑料正能量鈥檚 expertise in the industry and our longstanding partnership with DND. It will serve us well as we look to how we can increase capacity in other areas, such as professional services.鈥