BC Bid for broader public sector

Last updated on February 14, 2024

The BC Bid application is open for buyers to post opportunities and receive bids from suppliers.

Historical procurement data from April 1, 2015, to December 15, 2022, is now available.

The BC Bid application now sends B.C. procurement  information to the federal government’s CanadaBuys platform, connecting our opportunities to the global marketplace and delivering on our commitments to trade agreements.  This process is automatic and only requires that you post on BC Bid in accordance with the site requirements.

Register for BC Bid by reviewing this checklist

For broader public sector organizations acting as suppliers, please see suppliers.

Important Note: When registering in BC Bid, broader public sector buyers will need a Basic BCeID (*not a Business BCeID) or an existing government IDIR ID.

If you have questions during this process, please contact the BC Bid Help Desk. 

 

Step 1: Review templates & commodity codes

Corporate ministry templates can be found on the Solicitation processes and templates page on the BC Procurement Resources website.

Review commodity codes lists

BC Bid uses the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).

 

Step 2: Register for a Basic BCeID (not Business BCeID)

When registering in BC Bid, broader public sector buyers will need a Basic BCeID or an existing government IDIR ID.

If you already have a BCeID, check the type of BCeID account you have by logging into www.bceid.ca. Select the down arrow next to your name in the top right to see a drop down indicating the BCeID type. If you register with a Business BCeID, you will be set up with a supplier account, not a buyer account. The BC Bid Help Desk cannot change your account type.

Get a basic BCeID

NOTE: A Basic BCeID is not a Business BCeID.

If you do not have an IDIR or Basic BCeID, you must register for a Basic BCeID.

If you have any questions or concerns about applying for a Basic BCeID, please contact the BCeID Help Desk.

For BPS organizations acting as suppliers, please see Suppliers.

 

Step 3: Sign & submit an Access Agreement

To access BC Bid, each broader public sector organization must sign an Access Agreement prior to registration.

Each broader public sector organization must:

  1. Sign one Access Agreement (PDF, 170KB) before setting up a new account in BC Bid.
    Note: Just one Access Agreement per organization is required.
  2. Send the signed agreement to bcbid@gov.bc.ca
  3. After your Access Agreement has been processed, you will receive a signed copy.

Individuals whose organizations have submitted Access Agreements will be able to take the next step in setting up their BC Bid accounts.

Optional: Organizations choosing to review the Sourcing and Procurement Spend Analytics Application and Services Agreement - Contract #C19LBS38667 (the “BC Bid Contract”) - as part of the Access Agreement process will:

  1. Download and complete the VDR Consent and Release form to view the contract (PDF, 314KB)
  2. Submit the form to bcbid@gov.bc.ca

The form will be processed, and you will then be provided access  to review the contract.

Note: A Basic BCeID or an existing IDIR is required for this process.

 

Step 4: Access application learning resources

Step by Step instructions, in web, PDF, and video formats, are available on the BPS Buyer Guide page.

After you have learned how to use the application, Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) provide high-level reminders to help you navigate BC Bid.

Note: The lighter detailed QRGs are not designed as stand-alone learning tools and must be used in conjunction with the User Guides.

 

Step 5: Set up a new BC Bid account

To access BC Bid, you will need to register for an account.

To register:

  • Review the Prepare & Register section of the BPS Buyer Guide, offering step-by-step instructions on how to register for an account in BC Bid.
  • After you review the BPS Guide, proceed to the BC Bid public portal to begin the registration process.
 

Step 6: Accessing historical BC Bid data

Historical data access

BC Bid procurement historical data from April 1, 2015, to December 15, 2022, is available.

Publicly posted historical data will be available to all users through the public portal, including:

  • Opportunities with tender documents and attachments
  • Contract Award notices without attachments

Some data will require additional access, including:

  • Supplier bid responses and attachments
  • Contract Award information

For more information about how to access additional historical data, please see Additional data access instructions (PDF).

Note:   Publicly posted historical data in BC Bid will be searchable , except by region and commodity. Historical data will remain mapped to old GSIN commodity codes rather than the current UNSPSC commodity codes.