Where do you go to find Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs) or Requests for Tender (RFTs)? The answer is different depending on whether the bid is coming from the Private Sector or the Public Sector. Learn the basics about the differences, where they post their bids, how they select the vendors who will receive an RFP/RFQ/RFT to bid on, and what the pros and cons are of each approach.

1. Where to Find RFP and RFQ Bid
Opportunities in Ontario
www.EchelonOne.ca

2. What You’ll Learn
• Where to start.
• What is “The Private Sector”?
• How bids are posted in the Private Sector.
• How the “by-invitation only” process works.
• What is “The Public Sector”?
• Where bids are posted in the Public Sector.
• Exceptions: Federal and Ontario Governments.
• Basic information about how Public Sector bids work.
• Where to go if you have questions.
www.EchelonOne.ca

3. Where to Start
• Many places to look for bids in Ontario.
• Company/organization’s policies and whether
they operate in private sector or public sector
influences how and where they post bids.
Have a potential client you’d love to do business
with?
• Find out how they post their bids and where.
• Let them know you’re interested in participating
in their next bid.
www.EchelonOne.ca

4. What is “The Private Sector”?
The Private Sector includes:
• Privately owned companies
• Corporations
• Non-government organizations
www.EchelonOne.ca

5. The Private Sector
• In private sector, most bids are by invitation only.
• Person managing the bid process will:
– research to find suitable vendors to participate
– short-list a group of companies they believe
can provide what they’re looking for.
Exceptions:
• Some will post on online web portals like:
• Merx.com
• Biddingo.com
www.EchelonOne.ca

6. By-Invitation Bidding in the
Private Sector
Will create a short-list to receive bid by any one or
a combination of the following:
• Issue an RFI (Request for Information).
• Canvas peers/competitors for recommendations.
• Keep a file with contact information from
salespeople who have approached them.
• Research potential bidders on the internet.
www.EchelonOne.ca

7. By-Invitation Bidding in the
Private Sector (cont.)
Typically, anywhere from three to a dozen bidders
are invited.
The down side to this process is:
• It’s harder to get on the list to receive bids.
The up side is:
• Going into the bid, you are a known entity.
• You are competing against a relatively small
group of competitors.
www.EchelonOne.ca

8. What is “The Public Sector”?
Government or publicly funded agencies and
organizations such as:
• Federal and Provincial governments.
• Cities and municipalities.
• School boards.
• Hospitals.
www.EchelonOne.ca

9. Where Bids are Posted –
Public Sector
Mandated to post bids publicly (based on $ value).
These bids can be found through one or a
combination of the following:
• Online through websites such as
www.merx.com and www.biddingo.com.
• On the organization’s website.
• Through ads posted in local newspapers.
www.EchelonOne.ca

10. Two Exceptions – Federal and
Province of Ontario Bids
Two exceptions that don’t use Merx.com or
Biddingo.com are:
– Government of Canada bids and tenders
which are downloadable at no charge from
their website at https://buyandsell.gc.ca.
– Province of Ontario bids and tenders which
are downloadable at no charge from their
website at
https://ontariotenders.bravosolution.com.
www.EchelonOne.ca

11. Public Sector Bids
• Not unusual for 20 to 30 bids to be submitted.
• Often, the list of bidders is made public.
• May have a pre-qualification process before
bidding.
• May require that you register as a vendor before
receiving bids.
www.EchelonOne.ca

12. Public Sector Bids
The down side to this process is:
• Easy to get lost in the sea of bids that the
reviewer(s) must read.
• Unless you’ve already built a relationship, you’re
going in as an unknown.
The up side is:
• Bids are relatively easy to find and accessible.
• You get to pitch to an audience you might not
have access to otherwise.
www.EchelonOne.ca

13. Where to Find RFP and RFQ Bid
Opportunities in Ontario
Questions?
Email: Debbie@EchelonOne.ca
www.EchelonOne.ca

14. About the Author
Debbie Ouellet of EchelonOne Consulting
is an RFP consultant and business writer
who helps business owners win new
clients and grow their business
She does that by helping them to plan and write great RFP
responses, business proposals, web content and marketing
content.
You can find out more about Debbie at www.echelonone.ca