Complexity Level 1

Complexity Level 1 is the lowest of five procurement-complexity categories in Canadian federal procurement. A requirement falls into it when it includes at least one specified low-complexity characteristic and does not include criteria belonging to Complexity Levels 2 to 5. The characteristics are set out in the CanadaBuys guide to the characteristics of procurement complexity levels.

The category covers routine buying: readily available commercial goods, common services, call-ups against standing offers, established procurement methods and templates, and contractor-selection methods based only on price and delivery or other objective criteria. The same characteristics appear in the annexes to Chapter 2 of the Supply Manual.

What qualifies as a Level 1 procurement

The CanadaBuys Buyer's Guide gives specific examples of Complexity Level 1 procurements:

• A call-up against a standing offer.
• A commercially available good that is readily available in the marketplace, including Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Military Off-the-Shelf (MOTS) goods.
• A common service that is readily available in the marketplace.
• A tried-and-proven procurement methodology.
• A departmental standard or legally approved procurement template.
• A contractor-selection method based on price and delivery alone, or on objective criteria that do not require subjective judgment.

The defining test is the absence of higher-level criteria. A requirement that includes any characteristic assigned to Levels 2 to 5 does not belong in Level 1, even if it also has some low-complexity features.

How PSPC uses the complexity assessment

Complexity Level 1 is part of the Acquisitions Program procurement-complexity assessment used by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). The assessment places each requirement into one of five process streams and helps allocate it to a contracting officer with the right skill set.

PSPC audit material on defence buying refers to Level 1 and Level 2 defence contracts. It explains that complexity assessments are used to route requirements and assign contracting resources. See the Audit of Land, Aerospace and Marine Equipment Procurement and the earlier audit of Land, Aerospace and Marine.

Where Level 1 appears in approvals and reporting

Complexity levels shape internal approval steps on CanadaBuys. For complexity levels 1 to 3, the buyer must complete a Procurement Risk Assessment and consult the Risk Management and Advisory Services function. This is described in the Treasury Board submission guidance.

The level also sets who reviews certain decisions. Under the Advanced Contract Award Notice guidance, a rejected statement of capability on a Complexity Level 1 procurement is reviewed by a manager.

PSPC also uses the category in performance reporting. Its departmental plans report the percentage of original contracts of "level 1 (basic)" complexity awarded within established timeframes. See the PSPC Departmental Plan 2023-24.

What Complexity Level 1 means for a supplier

For a supplier, Complexity Level 1 is the buyer's internal classification of a procurement. It is not a supplier certification, and it does not come with its own form or response requirement. Your obligations are those stated in the particular solicitation or contract.

The classification still tells you what kind of buy to expect. If you sell COTS or MOTS goods, common services or items available through standing offers, your work is likely to be handled as routine, with selection based on price and delivery or other objective criteria. Read each tender notice for its evaluation method, and prepare your response to meet those stated terms.