Harper Government Announces Important Improvements to Build in Canada Innovation Program

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 31, 2015) - Public Works and Government Services Canada

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced improvements to the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP). The Department consulted with industry and has made changes that will make it easier for innovative Canadian companies to apply for and participate in the program.

For example, companies will now be able to submit their proposals any time during the year, as soon as their innovation is ready to be tested.

In addition, Canadian innovators who have already received a BCIP contract will now be able to sell their products or services to more than one federal organization for further testing, allowing them to see how their innovation performs in different settings.

These changes to the program take effect today, July 31, 2015.

The new Call for Proposals is currently available on Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders.

The BCIP helps Canadian businesses get their cutting-edge goods and services from the lab to the marketplace. Successful sales translate into jobs, and jobs lead to prosperity for hard-working Canadians and their families. This program is just one of the many ways the Government of Canada supports small and medium businesses across Canada.

Quick Facts

• The BCIP was made permanent in 2012 to help kick-start businesses and move their cutting-edge products and services from the lab to the marketplace.
• Products can be eligible for contracts up to $500,000 under the program's standard component, and up to $1 million under the military component.
• As of July 31, 2015, 136 contracts have been awarded under the BCIP, bringing Canadian companies one step closer to selling to domestic and international markets.

Quotes

"Our Government remains focused on what matters to Canadians-jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. These changes to the Build in Canada Innovation Program will help kick-start businesses across Canada by making it easier to apply and helping innovators sell more of their cutting-edge products to more federal organizations for testing."

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Build in Canada Innovation Program

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