FIND IT. BID IT. WIN IT.

Preparing Our Nation Businesses for the Opportunities Ahead

Across Alberta, billions of dollars are being invested in major construction, defense, energy, infrastructure and industrial projects.

For many Indigenous businesses, the challenge is not whether we are capable of doing the work.

The challenge is knowing:

Where do I find the opportunities?
How do I get on the bidders list?
How do I read an RFQ or bid package?
What part of the project should I bid on?
What documents do I need?
How do I actually submit a competitive bid?

That is the purpose of IndigiConnect Are You Industry Ready? campaign.

Our goal is to help businesses from our partnering Nations understand the procurement process, get connected to industry and become better prepared to compete for the opportunities happening in our backyard.

THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE COMING

Not every project listed below has procurement packages available today. Some are already under development, while others are still moving through planning, regulatory or investment stages.

That is exactly why businesses should start preparing now.

Future Fighter Capability Project — Cold Lake

Canada is acquiring 88 F-35A fighter aircraft, with major infrastructure being developed at 4 Wing Cold Lake. The first aircraft are expected to arrive in Canada at Cold Lake in 2028, and infrastructure work continues in preparation for their arrival. Defense Construction Canada reports that contracts for the new fighter facilities at Cold Lake and Bagotville total approximately $525 million. With Cold Lake getting $272 million.

This project is especially important because it is happening in the backyard of several of our partnering Nations.

Potential supporting opportunities may include:

Construction • Civil Work • Fencing • Security • Transportation • Equipment Rentals • Environmental Services • Technology • Maintenance • Skilled Trades • Site Services

Businesses should be preparing their company information, safety documentation, insurance, certifications, workforce capacity and previous-project experience now.

IndigiConnect will continue monitoring procurement notices, Defence Construction Canada opportunities, major contractors and subcontracting opportunities connected to Cold Lake.

Pathways Carbon Capture Project

The proposed Pathways carbon capture and storage project would connect multiple oil-sands facilities to a shared CO₂ transportation network and storage hub in the Cold Lake region.

In July 2026, the governments of Alberta and Canada and the Oil Sands Alliance signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the project.

If the project proceeds into major construction, potential business opportunities could include:

Pipeline Construction • Drilling • Earthworks • Fabrication • Environmental Monitoring • Transportation • Safety Services • Equipment • Maintenance • Skilled Trades

Businesses involved in industrial construction, maintenance, environmental services, transportation and related fields should begin identifying their capabilities now.

IndigiConnect will monitor project approvals, contractor announcements, supplier registrations and future procurement packages.

West Coast Oil Pipeline

Alberta is advancing a proposed new oil pipeline to increase access to West Coast markets.

The project remains in development and is subject to Indigenous consultation, regulatory approvals, permitting and further project decisions. Alberta has identified Indigenous economic participation and potential ownership as important elements of the project.

Potential future opportunities could include:

Civil Construction • Fencing • Security • Environmental Services • Transportation • Camps • Equipment • Safety • Pipeline Services • Skilled Trades

Major procurement packages are not yet the focus — early preparation is.

Businesses that establish their capabilities and industry relationships before construction begins will be better positioned when opportunities are eventually released.

Tamarack Valley Energy & Headwater Exploration

On September 8, 2026, Tamarack Valley Energy and Headwater Exploration announced a $10-billion strategic combination involving their Alberta oil operations.

Continued development in Alberta's Clearwater region could create opportunities for businesses providing:

Earthworks • Trucking • Equipment Rentals • Reclamation • Environmental Services • Maintenance • Safety • Oilfield Services • Camp Support

IndigiConnect will watch for changes to vendor-registration systems, contractor announcements and procurement contacts as the companies move through the combination.

E3 Lithium Clearwater Project

E3 Lithium continues developing its Clearwater lithium project in south-central Alberta. In 2026, the company advanced demonstration work, regulatory applications and engineering toward a commercial project and received conditional federal funding of up to $36.5 million to advance development.

As the project develops, future opportunities could potentially include:

Drilling • Civil Construction • Pipeline Work • Fabrication • Transportation • Environmental Monitoring • Water Management • Facility Maintenance • Skilled Trades

IndigiConnect will continue watching for major contractor appointments, construction decisions, supplier engagement and procurement opportunities.

OTHER PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Major industrial projects are only one place to find work.

Businesses should also register and monitor public and private procurement systems.

Alberta Purchasing Connection

Alberta Purchasing Connection — commonly called APC — is Alberta's electronic tendering system.

Government departments and other public-sector organizations post opportunities for goods, services and construction through APC. Registered suppliers can download bid documents, express interest and receive updates.

Major Contractor Vendor Lists

Businesses should also look at registering directly with major construction companies and contractors.

Examples may include:

Bird Construction
EllisDon
PCL Construction
Graham
Other General Contractors and Prime Contractors

Once your company is registered in supplier or subcontractor systems, you may begin receiving opportunities that match your services.

Farm Credit Canada Indigenous Procurement

Farm Credit Canada operates an Indigenous Procurement Program designed to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses within its supply chain.

FCC also uses MERX for electronic bidding and encourages potential suppliers to register to view upcoming tenders.

City of Calgary Indigenous Procurement

The City of Calgary has developed an Indigenous Procurement Strategy aimed at reducing barriers and increasing Indigenous business participation.

The program includes procurement-system support, supplier training, bid-preparation assistance and debriefing support for Indigenous businesses that have submitted unsuccessful bids.

FIND IT.

The first step is knowing where the work is.

You cannot bid on an opportunity you don't know exists.

Businesses should:

✓ Register with major contractors
✓ Register on procurement platforms
✓ Subscribe to bid notifications
✓ Build relationships with procurement teams
✓ Meet Indigenous Relations representatives
✓ Keep your IndigiConnect business profile current
✓ Tell buyers clearly what your company can do

When registering, select the categories that accurately describe your services. This helps buyers and contractors identify your business when related opportunities are released.

BID IT.

Receiving a 50-page, 100-page or even larger bid package can be intimidating.

Don't let the size of the package scare you.

Your first job is to identify the section that applies to your business.

A typical package may contain:

Scope of Work
Drawings and Specifications
Quantity or Takeoff Sheets
Project Schedule
Insurance Requirements
WCB Requirements
Safety Requirements
Closing Date and Time
Submission Instructions
RFI Information
Buyer or Estimator Contact

You May Not Have to Bid the Entire Package

One mistake smaller businesses can make is assuming they must price everything contained in a bid package.

Do not assume that.

Review the instructions carefully to determine whether you can bid on an individual scope, division, service or portion of the work.

Find the work that relates directly to your company.

Understand the quantities.

Understand what is included — and what is not.

Then price the work your company can successfully perform.

DON'T GUESS — ASK.

If something in the package isn't clear, look for the RFI process.

RFI = Request for Information

Bid packages normally identify how bidders can submit questions and the deadline for doing so.

If you don't understand a drawing, quantity, specification, schedule or requirement, use the approved question process.

Don't build your price around a guess.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.

Before submitting your bid, review:

✓ Labour
✓ Materials
✓ Equipment
✓ Mobilization
✓ Transportation
✓ Subcontractors
✓ Rentals
✓ Freight
✓ Schedule
✓ Taxes, where applicable
✓ Exclusions and assumptions

Check your quote.

Then check it again.

CHECK YOUR DATES.

This is extremely important.

The project start date and YOUR start date may be two completely different dates.

You might price a project today while business is slow.

But if your portion of the work doesn't begin for six months, that work could land right in the middle of your busiest season.

Before submitting your price, ask:

When does the overall project start?

When does my scope actually start?

How long is my work expected to take?

Will I have the workers and equipment available?

Will today's material and labour pricing still make sense?

Never look only at the bid closing date.

Understand when you will actually be expected to perform the work.

BE READY BEFORE THE PACKAGE ARRIVES.

Do not wait until a bid closes in three days to start looking for your paperwork.

Your business should have an Industry Ready File containing current copies of documents that may be requested.

Industry Ready Checklist

✓ Company Profile

✓ Clear Description of Your Products and Services

✓ Business Registration

✓ Ownership Information

✓ WCB Account and Clearance

✓ Commercial Insurance

✓ Safety Program

✓ COR / SECOR or Other Safety Certifications, where applicable

✓ Trade and Professional Certifications

✓ Indigenous Business Documentation, where required

✓ Previous Project Experience

✓ References

✓ Equipment List

✓ Workforce Capacity

✓ Geographic Service Area

✓ Professional Capability Statement

✓ Major Contractor Vendor Registrations

✓ Procurement Platform Registrations

Every project is different.

Always use the actual bid package requirements as your final checklist.

WIN IT.

Winning does not always mean receiving the contract on your first bid.

Building relationships and becoming known to industry is part of the process.

Once you submit a bid, don't forget about it.

Keep a simple bid-tracking list:

Project
Company / Buyer
Scope Bid
Contact Person
Date Submitted
Expected Award Date
Quoted Amount
Result
Follow-Up Date

If you don't win the bid, follow up.

Ask the buyer or estimator:

What could we improve next time?

Was there anything missing from our submission?

Was our pricing competitive?

Are there other scopes coming that might fit our business?

A bid you don't win can still build a relationship that leads to the next opportunity.

Today's unsuccessful bid could lead to tomorrow's contract.

HOW INDIGICONNECT CAN HELP

You do not have to navigate industry procurement alone.

IndigiConnect can help businesses from our partnering Nations:

✓ Identify major projects and procurement opportunities

✓ Find the correct supplier-registration portals

✓ Understand RFQs, RFPs and bid packages

✓ Identify the scope relevant to your business

✓ Understand basic submission requirements

✓ Develop a business capability statement

✓ Identify missing documents, insurance or certifications

✓ Connect with procurement and Indigenous Relations representatives

✓ Promote your business through our Nation-vetted Indigenous Business Directory

✓ Prepare for meetings with industry and major contractors

✓ Find relevant training, certification and workforce programs

✓ Build a system for monitoring and tracking bids

IndigiConnect cannot guarantee that a business will receive a contract.

What we can do is help make sure our businesses are informed, connected, organized and prepared when the opportunity comes.

OUR BUSINESSES CAN DO THE WORK.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE READY TO FIND IT, BID IT AND WIN IT.

ARE YOU INDUSTRY READY?

Connect with the IndigiConnect team.

Let us help you take the next step from seeing an opportunity to competing for the work.