Get started as a supplier to government: step by step

How to get started as a supplier if you want to do business with the Government of Nova Scotia.

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  1. 1

    Confirm you’re eligible to sell to government

    Most businesses and non-profits operating in Nova Scotia must register with Registry of Joint Stock Companies. You need to confirm if your company needs to register.

    You can submit a response to a tender opportunity if your company isn’t registered with Registry of Joint Stock Companies or your business registration isn’t in good standing. But, government can’t award you with a contract unless your company is registered and in good standing.

  2. 2

    Learn about the procurement process

    Learn about selling to government to better understand the procurement process.

    Selling to government
    Procurement (buying) processes vary depending on the value of the goods, services and construction needed. Government needs to use existing standing offers first when looking for a supplier.

  3. 3

    Find opportunities

    Most tenders are advertised on Nova Scotia Tender Notices and are open to all suppliers. You can also find current standing offers for larger standing offers contracts issued by government departments.

    Find current standing offers
    List of standing offers from Government of Nova Scotia and public sector entities.

    Find public tender notices
    Search and view tender notices from Government of Nova Scotia and public sector entities.

  4. 4

    Sign up to receive email notifications of opportunities

    Sign up for tender notifications with the Tender Opportunities Notification Service. Once you’ve signed up, you get email notifications with public sector procurement opportunities that match the goods, services and construction categories you selected.

    Sign up for tender notifications
    Get email notifications with tender notices by signing up with the Tender Opportunities Notification Service (TONS).

  5. 5

    Create an Ariba Discovery account

    Create an Ariba Discovery account to submit an e-bid for high value competitions by government departments, Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Health Centre.

  6. 6

    Check tender requirements and ask questions

    Read tender documents carefully to make sure you understand what a tender is requesting. It describes the goods or services that government and public sector entities need to purchase and the conditions you need to meet to be an eligible bidder.

    Get clarification on any questions you have to help ensure you submit a compliant bid.

  7. 7

    Follow tender guidelines

    Make sure you’re aware of the due date and time for a tender before you bid. You should also know the mandatory requirements for the tender. Late responses or bids that are missing mandatory requirements are non-compliant and are not accepted.

  8. 8

    Request feedback

    Ask for a bidder debriefing session with a procurement specialist if you’d like feedback on your proposal.

    Bidder debriefing process: procurement
    How to request a debriefing for a proposal submitted to government, how the debriefing process works and what it covers.

  9. 9

    Get paid

    Get paid promptly for your goods or services by making sure your contact information is up to date with government and always include the purchase order number and any other project-specific information on your invoice. You can also sign up for direct deposit by completing the Direct Deposit Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Form (PDF).