GETS (Government Electronic Tendering Service)

GETS (Government Electronic Tendering Service) was the Canadian government's official platform for posting procurement opportunities before being replaced by CanadaBuys. If you're reviewing historical contracts or tracing procurement patterns, you'll still encounter GETS reference numbers throughout government documentation.

How It Works

For years, GETS served as the primary portal where federal departments and agencies advertised their requirements to suppliers. According to PSPC's guidance materials, it was "the official source suppliers should rely on to find Government of Canada tenders." The system allowed you to search active tenders, review contract award history, and access Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements.

The platform operated under federal laws, regulations, and Treasury Board policies that govern government procurement. Departments used GETS for opportunities above specific thresholds: $25,000 for goods, $40,000 for services, and $100,000 for construction. Below these amounts, agencies had more discretion in their purchasing approaches. In practice, GETS became the go-to resource for suppliers trying to monitor federal buying patterns and stay current on available opportunities.

Here's the thing: even though the system has been replaced, GETS identification numbers remain embedded in contract files, historical records, and procurement databases. If you're conducting market research or analyzing past awards, you'll need to understand these reference numbers to trace procurement histories accurately. Think of them as archaeology. The transition to CanadaBuys maintained much of the underlying functionality while modernizing the user interface and search capabilities.

Key Considerations

• Historical records matter: When analyzing a department's procurement patterns or researching past contract awards, GETS numbers provide the audit trail back to original tender documents and evaluation criteria.

• Documentation references: Many supplier guides, training materials, and internal government procedures still reference GETS because they haven't been fully updated. Don't let this throw you—the principles remain the same under CanadaBuys.

• Threshold awareness: The dollar thresholds that determined GETS postings—$25,000 for goods, $40,000 for services, $100,000 for construction—continue to influence how federal buyers approach procurement planning today.

• System transition gaps: Not all historical GETS data migrated perfectly to CanadaBuys. Some older tender details or supplier lists may require accessing archived records or contacting the contracting authority directly.

Related Terms

CanadaBuys, Standing Offer, Supply Arrangement, Competitive Procurement, Solicitation, Contracting Authority

Sources

• How the Government Buys What You Sell - Public Services and Procurement Canada

• Seminar Notes: Finding Opportunities on GETS - Public Services and Procurement Canada

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

If you're new to federal procurement, focus your energy on mastering CanadaBuys. But keep GETS in your back pocket for when you need to understand historical context or trace the evolution of specific procurement vehicles.