Aboriginal Procurement Initiative (API)

Background

Manitoba's Aboriginal population is growing quickly, including an expanding business and entrepreneurial sector, yet Aboriginal firms have been under represented in responding to government procurement opportunities.  Procurement practices can be seen as one way to assist in the development of Aboriginal business and supports Manitoba’s commitment to community economic development as a key component of Manitoba's economic strategy, intended to develop a provincial economy that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

Purpose

The objective of the Aboriginal Procurement Initiative is to increase the participation of Aboriginal peoples and suppliers in providing goods and services to the Manitoba Government. To that end, Manitoba Procurement Services Branch has introduced an Aboriginal Procurement Initiative (API) to increase the participation of Aboriginal businesses in providing goods and services to government.

Benefits

There are several key benefits anticipated through this initiative:

• Stimulation of Aboriginal business development;
• Indirect creation of new employment opportunities;
• Increased procurement from Aboriginal business through sub-contracting and/or joint ventures with non-Aboriginal firms when bidding on contracts;
• Increased competitiveness;
• Relationship building between Aboriginal suppliers and government buyers;
• Better understanding of the tender process by suppliers; Increased knowledge of Aboriginal supplier base by government buyers.

Policy

All departments, including Special Operating Agencies, shall endeavor to increase the participation of Aboriginal business in providing goods and services to the Manitoba Government by incorporating the Aboriginal Procurement Initiative into tenders. A copy of the policy is available here: Aboriginal Procurement Policy

Application

The Aboriginal Procurement Initiative applies to all government departments and Special Operating Agencies.

An overview of the Aboriginal Procurement Initiative is available here in Bulletin #96.