S.i. Systems Supports Systems Integrator in Federal Procurement Transformation

Summary of Success

S.i. Systems partnered with a global systems integrator to modernize the Government of Canada’s procurement operations. By supplying 80+ security-cleared IT specialists, we helped transform a legacy, paper-based system into a secure, cloud-based platform that supports transparency, supplier diversity, and $12B+ in annual contract awards.

Challenge: Modernize Bilingual Procurement Platform Quickly and Seamlessly

The Government of Canada’s central purchasing agent is a key steward for public-sector operations, overseeing more than 75% of all federal procurement spending totalling ~$22 billion annually.

Responsible for managing an array of functions, including procurement, real property, pay and pension services, linguistic authority, and integrity advising, they sought to overcome a number of challenges in the process of upgrading their far-reaching system:

• Legacy inefficiency: Highly manual, paper-based workflows hindered buyer and supplier productivity.

• Procurement modernization: A government mandate required a move to a cloud-based system by mid-2023.

• Transparency & trade compliance: Need for a unified platform to meet trade obligations and centralize tender access.

• Change management: Required help with governance, training, and stakeholder engagement to avoid adoption issues during rapid rollout timeline.

• Social procurement alignment: Imperative to support diversity and inclusion goals, particularly for Indigenous and equity-deserving suppliers.

Solution: Global Integrator + S.i. Systems for Cloud-Based Procurement Modernization

Following an intensive search for the right platform modernization partner, in July 2018 a global integrator won the competitive contract. They were tasked with designing, implementing, and managing the implementation of a bilingual, cloud-based “single-window” platform to streamline procurement for government buyers and suppliers, improve transparency, strengthen auditability, and enable equity-deserving suppliers to self-identify. 

As a designated contractor to this global integrator, S.i. Systems leveraged targeted expertise to play a critical role in supplying a diverse team of 80+ specialists who seamlessly embedded themselves into the program between 2018 and 2025. 

Key S.i. Systems Solution Components:

To fill capability gaps and scale capacity when the prime and end client needed it most, we delivered:

Short- and long-term resource deployments spanning multiple domains. 

• User-facing accessibility and usability testing consultants who ensured compliance with WCAG 2.0 standards.

• French-language testing resources who supported consultants and helped validate bilingual functionality across multiple releases. 

• UI designers and developers who worked on design and operational enhancements to improve overall platform usability, with deployments ranging from 30 days to three months.

Security- and privacy-focused deployments.

• Consultants who designed and implemented identity, credential, and access management solutions, developed IT Security & Privacy Management Plans, and contributed to the project’s Privacy Impact Assessment and Privacy Awareness Guide. 

Cloud-focused deployments. 

• Cloud specialists who delivered architecture, deployment, and administration expertise across both Azure and AWS environments--including firewall and network design, Active Directory architecture, performance test strategies, configuration management, and proof-of-concept work for identity federation—across deployments ranging from 12 months to upwards of two years.

Technical foundation deployments.

• Solution architects, senior cloud engineers, integration consultants, and developers who supported multi-term engagements to build, configure, and sustain the EPS environment. 

• A dedicated SOLR consultant to troubleshoot and resolve issues with the search function within 30 days.

• Drupal experts who handled design, development, and testing for several core components.

Project governance and knowledge management deployments.

• Project managers who were embedded within the integrator’s PMO to drive coordination and delivery alignment.

• A senior technical writer who developed SOPs and user guides to support long-term sustainability.

Results: S.i. Systems Delivered Faster, More Transparent Procurement Delivery 

By sourcing talent from across Canada, working on-site, hybrid, and virtually, S.i. Systems was able to provide the integrator with a flexible, nationwide pool of expertise that adapted to shifting priorities throughout the program lifecycle.

Our experience supporting the integrator demonstrated that staff augmentation can be a powerful local complement to a prime contractor’s capabilities, and delivered six concrete benefits which you can reap, too:

1. Specialized Skills that Extend the Prime’s Bench

   We provide niche expertise in areas like system integration, supplier onboarding, cloud configuration, and accessibility testing, which allows you to concentrate on overall program leadership as we fill targeted capability gaps quickly and effectively.

2. Seamless Integration into Delivery Models

   Our consultants embed directly into your governance, tools, and methodologies, functioning as part of the same team to ensure a unified delivery experience for clients without duplication or friction between partners.

3. Rapid Ramp-Up and Flexible Scaling

   We can mobilize local talent quickly, reducing lead times and helping you stay on schedule, with a model that provides surge capacity during peak project phases (requirements, testing, cutover) without long-term overhead.

4. Cost-Effective Senior Talent

   We deliver seasoned IT professionals at competitive rates, giving you access to high-quality expertise without the cost structure of a bench resource.

5. Continuity Across Phases

   Our team can bridge staff transitions and maintain delivery momentum, ensuring your clients experience consistent progress across all phases of implementation.

6. Trusted, Non-Competitive Partnership

   We measure success by the success of you and your client. Just as we strengthened this integrator’s cloud system delivery, we will reinforce your leadership, always acting as a collaborative partner and not a competitor.