FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about GovTender and getting started with federal contracting.
What is GovTender?
GovTender is an AI platform that brings every Government of Canada federal tender into one place, scores each against your company, and helps you qualify and win the ones you can actually win.
Where does the opportunity data come from?
Tenders come from the open data CanadaBuys publishes, which is the Government of Canada official source for contract solicitations, supplemented with award and market data.
Do I need to be a registered supplier on CanadaBuys to use GovTender?
You can browse opportunities and use our free tools without registering. To actually bid on and win contracts, you'll need to be registered as a supplier on CanadaBuys and on SAP Business Network, the platform CanadaBuys runs solicitations through. Our free registration checklist walks through every step in order.
What is a UNSPSC code, and do I need one?
UNSPSC is the classification system CanadaBuys uses to tag every tender by the goods or services it covers. You don't register a code so much as select the ones matching what you sell, both on CanadaBuys and in your GovTender profile - it's how the right opportunities find you. Our free UNSPSC finder searches the codes buyers are actually posting under right now.
Is GovTender only for large companies?
No. GovTender is built for federal suppliers of all sizes, with set-aside filtering and tools that are especially valuable for small and Indigenous businesses.
Are there set-asides for Indigenous businesses?
Yes. Under the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB), a share of federal contracts is set aside for Indigenous-owned suppliers, and departments have mandatory minimum Indigenous procurement targets. GovTender flags set-aside opportunities so you can filter for them.
How is an opportunity 'scored'?
Each tender is evaluated against your company profile - capabilities, UNSPSC codes, the provinces you deliver in, past performance, and set-aside eligibility - to produce a pursue/pass recommendation with reasoning.
Is there a free version?
Yes. You can browse all opportunities, use the directories, and use the free tools at no cost. Paid plans add AI scoring, early-signal leads, and capture tools.
Can my whole team use it?
Yes - higher tiers support multiple users, workspaces, roles, and approval workflows for teams and primes.
Mentioned above: the registration checklist, the UNSPSC finder, and the rest of our free tools.
Still have questions? Get in touch.
Ready to win more federal work?
Start free and see GovTender score your live pipeline in minutes.
Start your free trial