Requisition for Goods and Services and Construction

When your department needs to buy anything through Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)—formerly known as PWGSC—you start with a Requisition for Goods and Services and Construction. This is the formal request that kicks off the entire procurement process. Without it, PSPC can't act on your behalf.

How It Works

The requisition is your department's way of clearly communicating what you need and why you need it. You're laying out specifications, timelines, budget constraints, and any other requirements that PSPC needs before they start sourcing suppliers or issuing tenders. According to the Government of Canada Supply Manual, this document serves as the foundation for the entire procurement file. Get it wrong here, and you'll see delays or mismatched solutions down the line.

PSPC uses your requisition to determine the appropriate procurement method. Simple office supplies? That might go through a standing offer. Complex IT services or construction projects? You're looking at a competitive process that could take months. The level of detail you provide directly affects how quickly PSPC can move. Submit a vague requisition, and expect questions and requests for clarification before anything happens.

In practice, the requisition becomes part of the official procurement record. It establishes accountability—who requested what, when, and with what justification. This documentation matters when auditors from the Office of the Auditor General come calling, or when you need to explain procurement decisions years later. Your requisition also needs to align with your department's delegated spending authority and any applicable trade agreements that govern federal procurement.

Key Considerations

• Advance planning is non-negotiable. Don't submit a requisition the week you need something delivered. PSPC operates under strict procedural requirements, and rushing them doesn't help anyone. Build in realistic lead times based on the complexity of what you're buying.

• Your technical specifications matter more than you think. Overly restrictive specs can limit competition and potentially violate trade agreement obligations. Too vague, and you'll get solutions that don't meet your needs. The Supply Manual emphasizes that requirements should be clear, complete, and outcome-focused where possible.

• Budget accuracy affects the entire process. If your estimated value crosses certain thresholds—particularly those tied to standing offers and supply arrangements or trade agreement limits—the procurement method changes entirely. Underestimate the cost, and you might force PSPC to restart the process with a different approach.

• Security requirements need early declaration. If you're dealing with protected information or need security-cleared personnel, flag this upfront in your requisition. It significantly affects supplier eligibility and contract requirements.

Related Terms

Statement of Work, Delegation of Authority, Common Use Procurement Instrument

Sources

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

• Canada Buys - Federal government procurement information portal

• Buy and Sell - Federal government tender opportunities

Bottom line: treat your requisition as the strategic document it is, not just paperwork to rush through. The quality of what you submit directly determines how smoothly—and how quickly—your procurement proceeds.