The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) wants to make it as easy as possible for Indigenous suppliers to connect with corporate buyers. Its upgraded online procurement platform has been designed to do just that.
Launched in early January, the Supply Change Indigenous Procurement Marketplace is currently home to 1,751 certified Indigenous businesses and more than 160 corporate buyers, and those numbers are growing.
“We've transitioned the technology, and it allows us to respond better to what your Indigenous procurement needs are,” Natalie Adams, director of the Supply Change program, said to members during an online demonstration of the revamped service.
“It's a stronger tool, and it's a better experience, and I hope everyone is going to love it and use it.”
CCIB first introduced its procurement marketplace on the platform Tealbook in 2018. At that time, just 200 certified Indigenous businesses and 40 corporate buyers were registered with the service, she noted.
But demand is increasing as corporate Canada moves to align its values with the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which includes a call for fairer and more respectful business practices when dealing with Indigenous peoples and organizations.
The federal government has mandated that a minimum 5 per cent of all procurement contracts are to be held by Indigenous suppliers, and corporate entities are prioritizing Indigenous partnerships in their community relations strategies.
That means that potentially billions of dollars in procurement opportunities are available for Indigenous suppliers.
Supply Change users have to sign up with the CCIB to use the platform, but once registered, they have access to a range of useful services. They can scroll a list of Indigenous suppliers, view procurement opportunities, get caught up on news and updates, and more.
Under the search feature, a map shows all the corporate buyers — identified as ‘advocates’ and ‘champions’ — and certified Indigenous businesses located across Canada.
Users can set filters to narrow down their search and locate the buyer or business they want by its name, by service, or by category, Adams noted.
Indigenous businesses can also search for corporate buyers that have completed the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program, a CCIB initiative that monitors progressive Indigenous relations with businesses.
Adams said it will be mandatory for corporate buyers to fill out a section that explains how to do business with them. That might include listing insurance requirements, pre-qualification requirements, or how to get on a supplier list.
"We're going to be expecting that to be reflected right on their profile, so that you guys have an idea of what is required there in order to work with them,” Adams said.
Businesses can tailor their profiles as it suits them, with their company name and logo, their scope of practice or services, any special certifications, and contact information.
A new feature enables businesses to mark their service area; so, if a business is based in Halifax but is able to service buyers right across Canada, they can indicate that in their profile.
“There's also a place to put the hiring status or the community that you are from,” Adams said.
“So we have the basic information here about whether you're First Nation Métis, Inuit, or just sort of general Indigenous. But there will be an opportunity, should you wish to go further into that if you want to, in phase two.”
The Opportunities section is where Indigenous businesses can see all current procurement opportunities, Adams said. Businesses can save the ones they like and they'll even be notified if an opportunity gets posted that matches with their category of goods and services.
“What we're really trying to do is have this be a streamlined place where our champions, our advocates and us as a Supply Change team are putting the federal government procurements here,” Adams said.
"But the expectation will really be on our champions and advocates to be posting theirs here as well.”
Finally, there's a News and Updates section, which might include upcoming training or events, introductory notes for new businesses, success stories, resources and more.
Adams noted that, in many cases, the procurement opportunities listed on Supply Change will also be listed with public procurement sources, such as CanadaBuys or MERX, and businesses may still be required to visit those platforms in order to bid on contracts.
But Supply Change aims to serve as a one-stop shop for Indigenous businesses, and those corporate buyers that want to deal with them, to streamline the process.
“What we're trying to do is just consolidate all the opportunities for Indigenous businesses in one place.”