Aboriginal Business Directory (IBD)

The Indigenous Business Directory (IBD), also known as the Aboriginal Business Directory, is an online, public directory and search engine of businesses owned and controlled by Indigenous peoples. Industry and governments use it to find Indigenous businesses that can meet their procurement needs. Indigenous Services Canada describes it as an evergreen directory that helps all levels of government and the private sector identify capable Indigenous suppliers.

In federal solicitation documents, the IBD is presented as a search engine for industry and the federal procurement community. The directory is distinct from the business lists kept under modern treaties, although both can matter when a federal buyer checks whether a supplier qualifies as an Indigenous business.

Who administers the IBD and who can register

The IBD is administered through Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). ISC sets the registration rules and verifies whether a business meets the eligibility requirements for listing. A business registering for the directory must demonstrate that it is at least 51% Indigenous-owned and controlled, according to the ISC record on the directory.

Registration is therefore a verification process, not a simple sign-up. A supplier that wants to be treated as an Indigenous business in federal procurement must complete it and satisfy the ownership and control requirement.

How the IBD appears in federal solicitations

The directory shows up in several ways in tender documents on CanadaBuys. Indigenous participation appendices tell bidders that the IBD can be used to identify Indigenous business capacity for both contracting and subcontracting. One example is this Indigenous participation appendix. An RCMP solicitation, such as the Haines Junction architectural and engineering request, points consultants to the same resource.

Notices of proposed procurement also refer suppliers to the directory. A notice of proposed procurement explains that an IBD profile can allow a supplier to compete for federal contracts set aside under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses.

The IBD and the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses

The directory supports the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses (PSIB). Under PSIB, certain opportunities are restricted to Indigenous businesses, and the IBD is one of the ways eligibility is established. Modern-treaty business lists are the other.

The listing also matters after award. For PSIB contracts, the successful Indigenous contractor must be listed on the IBD or a modern-treaty business list and must meet the 33% Indigenous-content requirement during the contract, as set out in the ISC record.

Federal procurement procedures also call for verification. The Treasury Board procurement instrument requires that an Indigenous business be verified in accordance with the IBD. Where a supplier claims Indigenous status but is not listed, federal organizations consult ISC.

What the IBD means for a supplier bidding on Canadian public contracts

• Register early. To compete as an Indigenous business for applicable set-asides, complete the IBD registration and meet ISC's ownership and control requirement.
• Keep the profile accurate. Federal buyers use the directory to identify suppliers and to verify eligibility before award.
• Do not assume an award. A listing does not guarantee a contract. You must still meet the solicitation's requirements and, where applicable, the PSIB Indigenous-content requirement.
• Use it for teaming. Non-Indigenous prime bidders can search the IBD to find Indigenous subcontractors when a solicitation asks for Indigenous participation.