Performance Testing

Performance testing evaluates whether a product or service actually does what you need it to do before you commit to buying it. In government procurement, this means verifying that whatever you're acquiring meets the functional requirements and performance specifications you've set out in your solicitation documents. It's not just about checking boxes—it's about confirming that a solution will work in the real conditions your department faces.

How It Works

Here's the thing: Canadian procurement policy strongly encourages you to write specifications based on performance and functional requirements rather than prescriptive design characteristics. According to Section 3.9 of the Supply Manual, procuring entities must not "prepare, adopt, or apply any technical specification or prescribe any conformity assessment procedure with the purpose or the effect of creating unnecessary obstacles to trade." This approach gives vendors flexibility in how they meet your needs while ensuring you can actually test whether their solution performs as required.

The testing itself happens at different stages depending on what you're buying. For goods, you might conduct acceptance testing when items are delivered to verify they meet your technical specifications. For services or complex IT systems, testing becomes more involved—you'll typically establish clear performance benchmarks upfront and then evaluate against those metrics throughout delivery. PSPC's Vendor Performance Management Policy requires performance evaluations at least every six months during contract execution (interim evaluations) plus a final evaluation at contract end. Contracts under 12 months? Only the final evaluation is mandatory.

Performance scores in federal contracting use key performance indicators grouped into four categories: cost, schedule, quality, and management. These aren't abstract measures—they're tied to specific deliverables and milestones in your contract. If the first major deliverable won't arrive until eight months in, that's when your first evaluation happens. This systematic approach to vendor performance management creates a documented record that informs future procurement decisions across government.

Key Considerations

• Performance-based specifications open competition but require more planning upfront. You need to define what success looks like in measurable terms, not just describe a preferred solution.

• Testing procedures must be fair and transparent. The CFTA Chapter Five, Article 509 reinforces that conformity assessment procedures can't create unnecessary trade barriers—your testing approach needs to be consistently applicable to all bidders.

• Budget time and resources for actual testing. Many procurement timelines underestimate how long proper performance evaluation takes, especially for complex IT solutions or specialized equipment.

• Document everything. Your test results become part of the contract record and may be needed if disputes arise or if you're conducting past performance reviews for future competitions.

Related Terms

Technical Specifications, Acceptance Testing, Vendor Performance Management, Conformity Assessment, Quality Assurance, Contract Management

Sources

• Supply Manual - Section 3.9: Technical Specifications and Conformity Assessment

• Vendor Performance Management Policy - Public Services and Procurement Canada

• CFTA Chapter Five - Government Procurement, Article 509

The shift toward performance-based procurement means testing isn't just a formality—it's your primary tool for validating that vendors can actually deliver on their promises. Build testing requirements into your planning from day one.