Indigenous Marketplace
1 General Background
What is OECM’s Indigenous Marketplace?
The Indigenous Marketplace is a list of verified Indigenous supplier partners that offer a range of products and services across various categories, including IT, facilities, furnishings, education, and more. It connects OECM customers with pre-qualified Indigenous-owned and led businesses through established Master Agreements, supporting inclusive, equitable, and socially responsible procurement while advancing economic reconciliation.
Who can access and use it?
All OECM customers can access OECM’s Indigenous Marketplace. Contract documents are available on the Indigenous Marketplace of OECM’s website.
How does the Indigenous Marketplace differ from OECM’s other Marketplace?
The Indigenous Marketplace is a dedicated extension of OECM’s Marketplace designed to advance Indigenous economic inclusion and reconciliation. Unlike OECM’s general Marketplace, which features suppliers across a broad range of categories, the Indigenous Marketplace exclusively features pre-qualified Indigenous-owned and led businesses verified through OECM’s Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) process.
How does buying from the Indigenous Marketplace support Indigenous communities?
This Marketplace:
- Promotes direct access for organizations to Indigenous suppliers across multiple product and service categories.
- Emphasizes socially responsible and values-based procurement, aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #92 (TRC #92).
- Simplifies discovery and engagement with qualified Indigenous suppliers through a dedicated directory within OECM’s platform.
Why was the Indigenous Marketplace created?
The Indigenous Marketplace was created to connect OECM customers with a growing list of verified Indigenous supplier partners offering a broad range of products and services to support socially responsible procurement.
Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #92, OECM is committed to advancing economic reconciliation by fostering respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous businesses and communities. To support this commitment, we have developed an Indigenous Engagement Framework that directs our efforts in strengthening partnerships both regionally and nationally.
These initiatives enable alignment with TRC #92 while responding to the specific needs of our customers, suppliers, partners, and the communities we serve. Together, they mark an important step in our ongoing journey toward reconciliation, cultural understanding, and collaborative growth with Indigenous partners.
2 Supplier Participation/Award Process
Which Indigenous suppliers are included in the Indigenous Marketplace
Visit oecm.ca/indigenous-marketplace/#awarded-supplier-partners for a full list of supplier partners found in OECM’s Indigenous Marketplace.
How are Indigenous suppliers selected and how does OECM verify that suppliers are Indigenous-owned or led?
All suppliers were verified through OECM’s Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) process, confirming that they meet the definition of an Indigenous Business, hold valid certification (e.g., Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) or Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)), demonstrate the capability and readiness to provide products and services to OECM Customers, and offer appropriate geographical coverage.
3 Products and Services Available
What types of products and services are available through the Indigenous Marketplace?
The Indigenous Marketplace offers the following product and service categories:
Can I request new product categories from Indigenous suppliers?
Yes. During the term of the Master Agreement, OECM Customers may request that Indigenous suppliers add new products or services to better meet their organization’s specific needs.
4 Purchasing Process/How to Get Started
How do I purchase/get started with purchasing through the Indigenous Marketplace?
OECM Suppliers have been pre-qualified through a rigorous RFSQ process. When deciding to engage a supplier for products and/or services, OECM encourages each Customer to be guided by their own internal policies and procedures to determine whether a second stage process is required.
To support informed decision making, Customers are encouraged to review all contract documents, guides, and templates available on OECM’s website. Upon completion of the review, Customers may use a Second Stage process (if required) and review, complete, and execute a Customer Supplier Agreement (CSA) with their chosen Supplier(s) in order to begin engaging the Supplier(s) and ordering products and/or services.
How do I obtain pricing from suppliers?
This agreement was awarded through a Request for Supplier Qualification (RFSQ) process, and as such, pricing was not required to be submitted during the competitive process. Customers should obtain pricing by conducting a Second Stage process, if required by their organization’s internal procurement policies or by contacting a supplier directly to request pricing.
Who can access and use it?
All OECM customers can access OECM’s Indigenous Marketplace. Contract documents are available on the Indigenous Marketplace of OECM’s website.
Is the procurement process different from OECM’s other agreements or standard Marketplace?
The procurement process for the Indigenous Supplier Qualification followed a Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) process—ensuring fairness, openness, and transparency consistent with Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive and applicable trade agreements.
However, this RFSQ was tailored to support Indigenous economic inclusion by:
- Reducing administrative barriers for Indigenous suppliers;
- Focusing on supplier qualification requirements of Indigenous ownership, certification, and business capability rather than technical specifications; and
- Allowing flexibility for suppliers to define their own products, services, and regional coverage based on capacity.
Will OECM still have a Master Agreement which governs over a Customer-Supplier Agreement for the Indigenous Marketplace agreements?
Yes, the Indigenous Supplier Qualification Master Agreement construct is the same as any other OECM Master Agreement. Each supplier on the Indigenous Marketplace will have a Master Agreement which governs over a Customer-Supplier Agreement.
5 Compliance and Reporting
Does purchasing through the Indigenous Marketplace align with procurement rules, the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive and relevant trade agreements?
Yes. All purchases made through OECM’s Indigenous Marketplace are fully compliant with the BPS Procurement Directive and applicable trade agreements. However, Customers are responsible for confirming that a supplier meets their organization’s specific needs and requirements before ordering products and/or services. This includes ensuring the supplier complies with any internal procurement policies, procedures, and applicable standards.
Will I receive reporting on my Indigenous Marketplace spend through the OECM Customer Dashboard?
Similar to agreements on OECM’s Marketplace, reporting, and spend will be included on the Customer Dashboard.
How does OECM ensure transparency and accountability with Indigenous suppliers?
Each supplier operates under a Master Agreement that outlines clear performance expectations, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements. Supplier performance is monitored through OECM’s Supplier Recognition Program (SRP) and Supplier Performance Scorecard, which ensure ongoing accountability and adherence to contract terms.
Will OECM still maintain the same contract management practices for the agreements available through the Indigenous Marketplace?
OECM will continue to apply the same Supplier and contract management practices for all agreements under OECM Marketplace, including the Indigenous Marketplace. For more information, see: Customers – OECM.
Will the Suppliers awarded under the Indigenous Marketplace be participating in OECM’s Supplier Recognition Program (SRP)?
All awarded Supplier partners under OECM Marketplace, including the Indigenous Marketplace are automatically enrolled to participate in OECM’s SRP. Hence, awarded Suppliers under the Indigenous Marketplace may be recognized under OECM’s SRP based on their performance throughout the evaluation period.
