A Word from the Founder

A Word from the Founder

When I began exploring federal procurement, one of the first things I noticed was how difficult it could be to simply understand where to start. I started my consulting journey with no mentor, no resources and no network. But through trial and error, I eventually built a successful consulting business over the span of 5 years.

While consulting and procurement information is publicly available, it is often spread across multiple platforms, written in technical language, or assumes a level of familiarity that many small business owners and entrepreneurs may not yet have.

The goal of every Cupcake Consulting™ Academy course is to help bridge that gap.

Federal procurement represents a significant marketplace, and many businesses are surprised to learn that there are structured pathways for suppliers to participate. My intention in developing this course was to explain how some of these systems work and to help make the process more approachable for businesses that may be exploring federal procurement for the first time.

Through Cupcake Consulting™ Incorporated and the Cupcake Consulting™ Academy, my aim is to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in building the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate complex systems and identify opportunities that align with their capabilities.

If this course helps you better understand how Standing Offers, Supply Arrangements, CanadaBuys, and SOSA data fit together, then it has achieved its purpose. My hope is that the information you learn here will serve as a starting point as you continue exploring the federal procurement landscape.

If you need support preparing proposals, be sure to check out the Cupcake Consulting™ Guide, which is a step-by-step guide that will walk you through proposal writing, pricing your services and negotiating contracts with government clients and beyond.

Thanks for trusting me as you pursue a greater understanding of the procurement landscape and for your interest in expanding the possibilities for your business!

Deborah J. Moriah
Senior Consultant
Founder, Cupcake Consulting™ Academy
Cupcake Consulting™ Incorporated

How to Find Government of Canada Standing Offers (GOODS)

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A Word from the Founder

  • A Word from the Founder

START HERE: Registering for the SAP Ariba Business Network (DON'T SKIP THIS!)

  • Introduction
  • Step One: Register on SAP Ariba Business Network (Video Walk-Through)
  • Step Two: Filling out the Government of Canada Survey (Video Walk-Through)
  • Step Three: Completing Your SAP Ariba Business Network Profile (Video Walk-Through)
  • Bonus: Getting Your D-U-N-S Number
  • Important Links
  • Terms You Should Know

MODULE 1 – Understanding Procurement Vehicles for Goods

  • Standing Offers vs Supply Arrangements & Regional vs National Procurement (Introduction Video)
  • Lesson 1: What is a Standing Offer (RFSO)?
  • Lesson 2: What is a Supply Arrangement (RFSA)?
  • Lesson 3: National vs Regional Procurement Opportunities

MODULE 2 – Finding Opportunities on CanadaBuys

  • Navigating CanadaBuys (Introduction Video)
  • Step 1: Access the Platform
  • Step 2: Apply Core Filters
  • Step 3: Use Commodity Strategy
  • Step 4: Dissecting the RFSO (Video Walk-Through)
  • Step 5: Determine Fit
  • Key Takeaway
  • Exercise #1: Finding Procurement Opportunities on CanadaBuys

MODULE 3 – Using SOSA Open Data for Market Intelligence

  • What is SOSA Open Data & Why is it Useful? (Introduction Video)
  • Step 1: Access SOSA Dataset
  • Step 2: Open and Review Key Columns
  • Step 3: Identify Your Commodity
  • Step 4: Interpret Competition
  • Step 5: Analyze Expiry Dates
  • Step 6: Identify Buying Departments
  • Exercise #2: Exploring SOSA Open Data
  • Bonus: Search Government Contracts Over $10,000

MODULE 4 – Building a Procurement Watch System

  • Why You Need to Watch and What You're Looking For (Introduction Video)
  • Step 1: Save Searches in CanadaBuys
  • Step 2: Build a Tracker Spreadsheet
  • Step 3: Monitor Renewal Cycles
  • Step 4: Review Opportunities Strategically
  • Step 5: Maintain Consistency
  • Exercise #3: Building Your Procurement Watch System

Course Wrap-Up

  • Recap
  • Next Steps: Preparing to Participate in Federal Procurement