Federal procurement of pre-commercialized innovative goods and services

The Government of Canada has initiated a $40 million program that aims to promote innovation and support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Canada.

Called the ‘Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program’ (CICP), the pilot program is being launched this fall and will conclude in early 2013, to provide funding for purchasing and testing of pre-commercialized innovative goods and services by Government of Canada departments.

If you are a Canadian business with a new and innovative technology that has not yet been sold commercially, you are invited to keep watch at http://www.buyandsell.gc.ca for the precise timing of the next Call for Proposal and for details about how to submit a proposal.

The program consists of two elements:

1. Enabling companies to showcase their innovative products and services to potential government users.

2. Identifying and testing Canadian innovations within the federal government in order to support businesses as they move to commercialization.

Proposals related to the opportunity to purchase and test innovative products and services will be accepted through a competitive process. The Calls for Proposals will include specific criteria for selection and target innovations in four priority areas:

• Environment
• Health
• Safety and Security
• Enabling Technologies

In order to qualify, your innovation must not have yet been sold commercially.

The CICP will be hosting Innovation Forums on October 13 in Vancouver and October 14 in Victoria to allow businesses to showcase their innovations and to learn more about the program.