The Office of the Procurement Ombud

Did you know? Not every procurement issue needs to end in a lengthy dispute process.

The Office of the Procurement Ombud offers Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to help suppliers and federal departments work through contract disagreements collaboratively.

ADR services can help:
✔ Improve communication
✔ Preserve business relationships
✔ Support faster resolutions

Learn more about ADR services: opo-boa.gc.ca

Back by popular demand! Register now for our FREE webinar for businesses on competition law and Made in Canada claims 👇

English session – June 4, 12:30 AM to 1:30 PM EDT: https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/compliance-and-enforcement/compliance-webinars

French session – June 4, 11 AM to 12 PM EDT: https://bureau-concurrence.canada.ca/fr/comment-nous-favorisons-concurrence/conformite-application-loi/webinaires-conformite

The Office of the Procurement Ombud will be at the CIPMM National Conference 2026! 📍

Join us on June 2nd and 3rd for presentations on key federal procurement topics:

🕒 June 2 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Canada’s Defence Procurement System for Major Projects

🕒 June 2 | 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. One Bid Too Few: Tackling Limited Competition in Federal Procurement

🕒 June 3 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Procurement Practice Review of Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses

Be sure to also visit our kiosk on June 2nd and 3rd to connect with representatives from the Office and learn more about our services and resources.

We look forward to connecting with procurement professionals from across Canada and discussing evolving federal procurement practices and challenges.

The Office of the Procurement Ombud will be attending CANSEC 2026, taking place May 27–28 at the Cohere Centre in Ottawa.

Hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), CANSEC brings together industry leaders, government representatives, and procurement professionals to showcase emerging technologies and discuss evolving priorities in defence and security.

We look forward to connecting with participants and engaging in conversations regarding the work our office does.

If you’re attending, come say hello!

Earlier this month, OPO was pleased to attend the 2026 CPPC Forum in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Over the course of the event, we had the opportunity to connect with procurement professionals from across Canada, exchange insights, and engage in meaningful discussions on evolving challenges and opportunities in public procurement. Thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with us, we value these conversations and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion and answer your questions.

Learn more about our work: 🔗 opo-boa.gc.ca

Did you know that OPO is an independent, neutral organization? We are not part of any federal department and we do not take sides. Our job is to ensure the process itself remains fair, open, and transparent for everyone involved.

DYK: Late Payments

Did you know the federal government is generally required to pay interest on invoices that are more than 30 days overdue? If you're a supplier facing consistent payment delays, we can help you navigate the steps to resolve it.

Federal procurement can feel like a maze, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) is here to help by:

Reviewing Complaints: If you feel a contract was awarded unfairly (for goods under $34,700 or services under $139,000), we investigate the facts to ensure the rules were followed.

Resolving Disputes: Sometimes, communication breaks down after a contract is signed. Our Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services provide a neutral space to settle disagreements quickly.

Improving the System: We don’t just fix individual problems; we look at the big picture. By reviewing departmental practices and sharing our findings, we help the government simplify and improve procurement for the long term.

The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) frequently reviews the procurement practices of federal departments to assess their fairness, openness and transparency.

The Procurement Ombud conducted a follow-up review of the 2021-22 Procurement Practice Review (PPR) of the Department of National Defence (DND).

Read the full report to learn more about his review and findings: https://opo-boa.gc.ca/praapp-prorev/2026/suivi-followup-mdn-dnd-eng.html

Did you know? OPO can review complaints for certain contracts for goods below $34,700 and contracts for services below $139,000. Don't let the small numbers feel like a big hurdle, we’re here to help.