The SOSA App is the secure web based application that allows authorized provincial or territorial identified users to view and use our standing offers and supply arrangements. The standing offer for office supplies is the first of our procurement tools available for use through the application.
On this page
- What information is available in the SOSA App?
- Why is PSPC sharing its procurement instruments?
- Who is authorized to use the SOSA App?
- Why do I need a Buyandsell.gc.ca account to access the SOSA App?
- How do I get a Buyandsell.gc.ca account to access the SOSA App?
- If I am a Tender Management Application (TMA) user, can I access the SOSA App?
- Does my organization have to use PSPC standing offers and supply arrangements to purchase a good or service?
- Can businesses or suppliers access the SOSA App?
- Where can I learn more about standing offers and supply arrangements?
- For more information
What information is available in the SOSA App?
When you sign in to the SOSA App you will be able to:
- View standing offer information including: expiry date, supplier contact information, delivery points, product lists, call up limitations, and pricing.
- Access and use the call-up form to issue your order against the standing offer.
Why is PSPC sharing its procurement instruments?
An Order in Council was approved in February 2015 which permits Public Service and Procurement Canada to share its procurement instruments and services with authorized provinces and territories on a voluntary basis and at no additional cost to the Crown.
Starting May 2016, authorized provincial or territorial identified users will have access to view and use PSPC standing offers and supply arrangements to purchase goods and services. The office supplies standing offer is the first commodity to be made available in the SOSA App.
Who is authorized to use the SOSA App?
Access to the SOSA App is available to those provinces and territories who have signed a Master User Agreement with PSPC. An authorized provincial or territorial user means that the province or territory has signed the agreement, and organizations under their jurisdiction (municipal, academic institutions, schools, and hospitals sector) may be granted access to the SOSA App. An authorized user will be assigned a Buyandsell.gc.ca account allowing them to access the SOSA App.
Why do I need a Buyandsell.gc.ca account to access the SOSA App?
You require a Buyandsell.gc.ca account to access secure environments, such as the SOSA App. Standing offers and supply arrangements contain confidential information that is only available in a secure environment, to authorized account holders. A Buyandsell.gc.ca account uses the Government of Canada’s internal credential management service (myKEY) and external credential management services (GC Key and Secure Keys) to authenticate users.
How do I get a Buyandsell.gc.ca account to access the SOSA App?
Your province or territory must sign the Master User Agreement to grant access to the SOSA App to other organizations within their jurisdiction. If you are not sure if your organization is authorized to access the SOSA App or you need help getting a Buyandsell.gc.ca account, please contact us at: TPSGC.fptcollaboratif-fptcollaborative.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
If I am a Tender Management Application (TMA) user, can I access the SOSA App?
No. Access to TMA does not give you access to the SOSA App. If you are an authorized TMA user, this means that via your Buyandsell.gc.ca account you have been assigned the appropriate roles and permissions to create and/or publish Government of Canada tender and award notices. To access the SOSA App you must be an authorized provincial or territorial identified user. This means that the province or territory has signed the agreement, and organizations under their jurisdiction (municipal, academic institutions, schools, and hospitals sector) may be granted access to the SOSA App. You will be assigned the appropriate permissions and roles through Buyandsell.gc.ca Accounts to access the SOSA App to view standing offers and supply arrangements and issue call-ups.
Does my organization have to use PSPC standing offers and supply arrangements to purchase a good or service?
No. The use of our standing offers and supply arrangements is voluntary on the part of the provinces and territories. There is no obligation to procure goods or services using our standing offers or supply arrangements. However, the opening of our procurement tools means that authorized provincial or territorial users may now benefit by:
- paying less for commodities because of our purchasing power
- reducing their administrative costs by using our existing procurement tools
- sharing expertise, best practices and business information about various goods and services
Can businesses or suppliers access the SOSA App?
No. Access to the SOSA App is only available to those provinces and territories who have signed a Master User Agreement with PSPC. If you are a business interested in becoming a pre-qualified supplier to sell your good or service, please visit Get Started with SOSA to learn how.
Where can I learn more about standing offers and supply arrangements?
Visit standing offers and supply arrangements to learn more about our procurement tools.
For more information
For questions relating to the Federal Provincial Territorial Collaborative Procurement or how to access the SOSA App, please contact us at: TPSGC.fptcollaboratif-fptcollaborative.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.
For questions relating to a specific standing offer or supply arrangement, please contact the contracting authority listed in the agreement document.
You may contact the national Infoline at 1-800-811-1148. The line is staffed Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 17:00 Eastern Standard/Daylight time. You may also send your questions via our Web form found on the Contact Us page.