Accessibility in Procurement

When you're putting together procurement requirements for the federal government, you need to think about whether everyone can actually use what you're buying. Accessibility in procurement means building requirements into your solicitations that ensure goods, services, and infrastructure work for people with disabilities. This isn't just good practice—it's a legal obligation under federal policy.

How It Works

The Government of Canada's Supply Manual sets out the framework for incorporating accessibility criteria throughout the procurement lifecycle. When you're drafting a Statement of Work or evaluating bids, you need to consider how the deliverables will accommodate users with visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive disabilities. This applies whether you're buying software for PSPC employees, procuring furniture for DND offices, or contracting web development services.

Here's the thing: accessibility requirements look different depending on what you're buying. For IT procurement, you're typically looking at WCAG 2.0 compliance standards—can someone using a screen reader navigate the interface? For physical goods like office equipment, you need to think about adjustable heights, tactile controls, and clear labelling. Service contracts might require accessible communication methods or training materials in multiple formats.

In practice, federal contracting authorities assess accessibility at multiple stages. During planning, you identify which accessibility standards apply to your specific procurement. When drafting solicitations, you include mandatory accessibility criteria that bidders must meet. Evaluation committees then score proposals partly based on how well they address these requirements. The Supply Manual emphasizes that accessibility can't be an afterthought tacked on during contract performance—it needs to be baked into your requirements from day one.

Key Considerations

• Standards vary by procurement category. There's no one-size-fits-all accessibility checklist. IT procurements typically reference EN 301 549 or WCAG standards, while built infrastructure follows different accessibility codes. Know which standards apply before you start drafting.

• Accessibility affects your evaluation criteria. Many people assume accessibility is just a pass/fail mandatory requirement, but it often forms part of your technical evaluation scoring. Proposals that exceed minimum accessibility standards can earn higher scores, particularly on larger contracts.

• Provincial and territorial requirements may differ. While federal procurement follows Treasury Board policies, provinces and municipalities have their own accessibility legislation. If you're working on shared-cost programs or coordinating with other levels of government, you might need to meet multiple sets of requirements.

• Timelines can be affected. Testing for accessibility compliance—especially for complex IT systems—takes time. Build extra lead time into your procurement schedule if you're buying something that requires accessibility validation or certification.

Related Terms

Mandatory Requirements, Technical Evaluation, Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements, Universal Design

Sources

• Government of Canada Supply Manual - Official federal procurement policy and procedures

• Canada Buys Procurement Portal - Federal government procurement information and opportunities

• Accessible Canada Act - Federal accessibility legislation and requirements

The bottom line: factor accessibility into your procurement planning early, identify the right standards for what you're buying, and make sure your evaluation framework actually measures compliance. Your contracting officer can help you determine which specific accessibility criteria apply to your particular procurement.