Security Requirements
Contract Security Program
Are you planning on responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP), call for tender or to work on an opportunity that involves security requirements? This program helps you successfully complete the security screening process and meet the requirements.
Before you begin
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ publishes Advance Procurement Notices (APNs) on MERX Electronic Bidding System to give industry early visibility into upcoming procurement opportunities. APNs help businesses plan ahead, mobilize resources, anticipate security and project requirements, build strategic partnerships, and position themselves for success.
Why APNs Matter
- Early visibility into upcoming opportunitiesÌý
- Greater market predictabilityÌý
- Better business planning and resource allocationÌý
- More time to prepare for project and security requirementsÌý
- Stronger positioning for future solicitations
Two types of APNs:
- Project-specific APNs (Construction Management, Modified Design-Build, Integrated Project Delivery, etc.);
- Base program APNs (tender calls, open contractor source lists, supplier lists, standing offers, and more).
MERX:
How the sponsorship process works
- Identify a ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ opportunity with security requirements in an APN on MERX.
- Submit a complete sponsorship request to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ before the related solicitation is published.
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ reviews the request and, when the applicable conditions are met, forwards the package to PSPC’s Contract Security Program (CSP).
- The CSP assesses the organization and contacts it directly regarding the required screening steps.
- The organization completes the required organization and personnel processes.
- The organization submits a bid or proposal in response to the related solicitation.
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IMPORTANT – Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ may sponsor a business to obtain an organization security clearance only if the following conditions are met:
- The business submitted a sponsorship request before the tender or request for proposal publication date, as indicated in the Electronic Bidding System (MERX).
- The business meets all material requirements of the sponsorship request package before the tender or request for proposal publication closing date, as indicated in the Electronic Bidding System (MERX).
- The business submits a bid or proposal in response to the solicitation in question.
Non-compliance with one of these conditions may render the business ineligible for sponsorship.
Sponsorship process
Businesses interested in participating in contracts with security requirements may request sponsorship through ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s Industrial Security Program (ISP). After receiving a request and the required documents, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ reviews the application package and forwards it to PSPC’s Contract Security Program (CSP) once the applicable conditions have been met. The CSP then conducts the assessment and contacts the business directly regarding the steps required to obtain an organization security clearance (DOS or FSC).
- Designated organization screening (DOS)
- Facility security clearance (FSC)
Important: Submitting a sponsorship request does not, in and of itself, constitute approval of said sponsorship. The business is still responsible for completing all forms and meeting the requirements of the sponsorship request package within the required timelines.
Roles and responsibilities
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ
- Reviews sponsorship requests and confirms whether ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s sponsorship eligibility requirements have been met.
- Forwards eligible sponsorship packages to PSPC’s Contract Security Program.
PSPC’s Contract Security Program (CSP)
- Conducts organization security screening and communicates directly with the business regarding required steps.
The business
- Provides complete and accurate information within the required timelines.
- Completes all CSP forms and any required organization, personnel, physical or technological security measures.
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Sponsorship request submission
Review the Advanced Procurement Notices (APNs) in the Electronic Bidding System (MERX) to identify business opportunities on which you wish to bid.Ìý
Sending your request:
If you are interested in an APN, you must copy and fill out the questionnaire below, and forward it to ISP.Sponsorship@dcc-cdc.gc.ca or click on this link to have the sponsorship request questionnaire automatically displayed in an email.Ìý
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Fill out ALL the fields below. Merx ad APN Reference Number: Type of Organization Security Clearance Requested (DOS or FSC): Company legal name: Business name (if different from legal name): Mailing address: Civic address (if different from mailing address): Organization phone number: Fax number: Contact person (last name/first name): Title of contact person: Telephone number for contact: E-mail address for contact: Preferred language of correspondence: If your company is or was registered with Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) Contract Security Program (CSP) and you wish to renew your organisation security clearance, indicate: - PSPC’s CSP organization code (e.g. 12345-00): - Your organisation’s current/valid security clearance (DOS or FSC):
If you would like to speak with a ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ representative, call 613-998-8974.
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Types of security screening
The Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) Contract Security Program (CSP) conducts two types of security screenings: for organizations and for personnel.
Organization security screening
This screening aims to determine whether an organization meets the security requirements applicable to a Government of Canada contract or solicitation.
The main types of security clearances are:
- Designated Organization Screening (DOS) – The DOS allows an organization to access information and assets categorized as Protected A, B, or C through employees with the appropriate security clearance. It is generally required for contracts which include security requirements categorized as Protected.
- Facility Security Clearance (FSC) – The FSC allows an organization to access Classified information and assets, particularly those categorized as Confidential, Secret, Top Secret or NATO clearances. It is required for contracts which include security requirements categorized as Classified.
Personnel security screening
Once an organization is registered with the CSP, employees who need access to Protected or Classified information, assets, or work sites may be subject to personnel security screening. These approvals are granted on a need-to-know principle and must generally be obtained prior to commencement of work.
Knowing which security clearance is required?
The security requirements applicable to a business opportunity are specified in the Advanced Procurement Notice (APN), the solicitation or the corresponding contract documents. Interested businesses should review these requirements before submitting a sponsorship request.
When to get sponsored
Businesses that do not already hold the required security clearance should begin the sponsorship process as soon as the Advanced Procurement Notice (APN) is posted. A sponsorship request submitted after the tender or request for proposal publication will generally not meet the eligibility requirements established by the Contract Security Program (CSP).
APNs are published specifically so that businesses can begin the security screening process before the corresponding solicitation is posted.
Business security screening costs
Businesses remain responsible for covering the costs incurred to meet security process requirements, including the preparation of required documents, fingerprint services, physical or technological security measures required at their facilities, and any other measures applicable to their situation.
Document Safeguarding Capability (DSC)
Depending on the nature of the contract, an organization may also be required to obtain a Document Safeguarding Capability (DSC) when it needs to retain, process, or store sensitive information or assets at its own facilities.
When a DSC is required, the organization must demonstrate that it has appropriate physical security measures in place to protect the information and assets in question at the security level indicated in the contract.
Before granting a DSC, Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) Contract Security Program (CSP) personnel conduct a physical security inspection of the facilities to verify that the necessary safeguards are in place. The organization may need to make changes to its facilities in order to meet applicable security requirements.
Controlled Goods Program
Registration in the Controlled Goods Program constitutes the first step toward examining, possessing or transferring controlled goods in Canada. At ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, this primarily involves the handling of unexploded ordnance.
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