The Aboriginal Business Directory (ABD)—now officially called the Indigenous Business Directory (IBD)—is the federally owned database where Indigenous suppliers register and verify their eligibility for procurement set-asides and other Indigenous business initiatives. If you're working on contracts with Indigenous set-asides or trying to meet departmental Indigenous procurement targets, this is where you'll confirm a supplier's status.
How It Works
The directory lives at Indigenous Services Canada and serves two main purposes. First, it's where Indigenous businesses voluntarily register their company information, including what goods and services they provide. Second, it's the verification tool procurement officers use to confirm whether a business qualifies as Indigenous for federal contracting purposes—think of it as the official registry for PSIB set-asides and related initiatives.
Here's the thing: registration alone doesn't mean verification. A company can be listed in the directory, but the verification status is what matters when you're evaluating bids. According to Supply Manual Section 9.35.60, this is the authoritative source federal departments must use to determine Indigenous business ownership and eligibility. You'll find it referenced throughout procurement documentation, including the Low Dollar Value Indigenous Procurement Guide, which explicitly states that directories like this one determine eligibility for federal procurement initiatives.
In practice, you can search the directory by company name, location, or the specific goods and services you need. PSPC and other major departments use it regularly when identifying potential suppliers for targeted opportunities or when validating that bidders meet Indigenous business requirements. The database is publicly searchable. This means suppliers can also use it to identify potential Indigenous partners when pursuing joint ventures or subcontracting arrangements under Indigenous procurement policies.
Key Considerations
- The terminology has shifted—you'll still see "Aboriginal Business Directory" in older documents and contracts, but the official name is now Indigenous Business Directory. Both refer to the same system maintained by Indigenous Services Canada.
- Verification status can change. A business registered today might not maintain its verified status indefinitely, so check close to bid closing or contract award rather than relying on outdated searches.
- Not all Indigenous businesses are listed. Registration is voluntary, so the absence of a company from the directory doesn't necessarily mean they're ineligible—but they'll need to provide alternative documentation to prove their status, which complicates the procurement process.
- Different departments maintain their own supplementary directories for specific Indigenous groups or regions, but Supply Manual Section 9.35.60 identifies the IBD as the primary federal tool. You may encounter references to other directories in procurement documentation, but this is the standard baseline.
Related Terms
PSIB Set-Asides, Indigenous Procurement Strategy, Supply Manual
Sources
- Supply Manual - Section 9.35.60 - Indigenous Business Directory
- Government of Canada - Procurement in support of Indigenous businesses
- Indigenous Business Directory - Detailed company search (Indigenous Services Canada)
When evaluating Indigenous set-aside bids, verify supplier status in the directory before you finalize your evaluation. It's a simple step that prevents eligibility challenges down the road.