Joint Solution Procurement (JSP)

Joint Solution Procurement lets multiple suppliers team up to bid on government contracts that are too complex or specialized for any single company to handle alone. Think IT infrastructure paired with highly specialized health informatics expertise—capabilities that rarely exist under one roof. While the Supply Manual doesn't have a dedicated section for JSP by name, the approach operates within Canada's broader framework for supplier collaboration and solution-based contracting.

How It Works

When you're putting together a joint solution, one supplier typically acts as the prime contractor while others fill specific capability gaps. The prime takes on delivery accountability and manages the relationship with the government client. This mirrors what PSPC describes in their solution-based supply arrangements, where "the supplier will determine the team composition, manage their team to deliver the outcome requested, [and] assume delivery accountability and risk for the work performed."

Here's the thing: your joint solution proposal must spell out exactly who does what. Legal relationships between team members need to be crystal clear—whether you're forming a joint venture, prime-subcontractor arrangement, or partnership. The government wants to know who they're actually contracting with and who holds ultimate responsibility. In practice, this means your response document should include detailed team charts, responsibility matrices, and often letters of commitment from each participating supplier.

The assessor guidance for supply arrangements notes an important wrinkle: when a joint venture appears on a list of selected suppliers, "the identified users must remove any of the individual JV members if they are also present on the list." You can't double-dip. Both the JV and its individual members can't compete for the same work.

Key Considerations

• Prime contractor liability: The government typically contracts with one entity, even in a joint solution. That prime contractor bears full responsibility for delivery, regardless of which team member actually performs the work.

• Past performance requirements: You'll need to demonstrate how your combined team meets experience requirements. Can you use the collective experience of all team members, or does the prime need to show specific qualifications? Read the solicitation carefully—this trips up more teams than you'd expect.

• Conflict of interest implications: Joint solutions can create messy conflict situations, especially if team members have relationships with other bidders or existing contracts with the client department.

• Security clearances: For DND or SSC contracts requiring security clearances, every team member working on sensitive aspects needs appropriate clearance levels. This can significantly extend your mobilization timeline.

Related Terms

Joint Venture, Prime Contractor, Solution-Based Procurement, Supply Arrangement

Sources

• Supply Manual - PSPC

• Solution-based Supply Arrangement - Canada.ca

• Assessor Guidance for Supply Arrangement Requirements - Canada.ca

If you're considering a joint approach, start the conversation with potential partners early—ideally before the RFP drops. The relationship framework takes time to negotiate, and you'll want those agreements locked down before you're scrambling to meet response deadlines.