Indigenous-Led IT Services Joint Venture Participation

Indigenous-owned information technology firms are invited to form or join joint ventures to qualify as prime contractors under the TBIPS arrangement, with the explicit requirement that the venture be led by an Indigenous-owned business. Non-Indigenous firms may participate only as subcontractors within these Indigenous-led joint ventures, ensuring that control, decision-making, and primary responsibility remain with Indigenous entities. The opportunity is tied to NAICS code 541512, which covers custom computer programming services, and is administered by the National Research Council of Canada on behalf of the Government of Canada. Performance of the contracted work is expected to take place across Canada, with no geographic restrictions within the country. The solicitation opened on August 1, 2026, and responses must be submitted by August 19, 2026, with the application process managed through Canada Buys, the federal government’s procurement portal. This initiative supports broader economic inclusion and capacity building for Indigenous businesses in the federal IT services sector.