Integral to the economy, integral to procurement : 2012 study of participation of small and medium enterprises in federal procurement

"Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are defined as business with less than 500 employees. Over 99% of Canadian businesses are small and medium enterprises. These companies are an integral part of Canada's economy, accounting for 45% of GDP, 64% of all jobs in the economy, and 53% of net employment growth. Within the range of SMEs, small companies are defined as companies that produce goods and have less than 100 employees, or that provide services and have less than 50 employees. Further, over 87% of all Canadian businesses have fewer than 20 employees, accounting for over 2 million jobs. ... SMEs are equally important to Government of Canada procurement. Each year, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf of government, awards more than $16 billion in contracts for goods and services. On average, approximately 40% of the value, and 76% of the number, of contracts with Canadian companies goes to SMEs. For contracts worth less than $1M, these percentages rise to 75% and 80% respectively. These figures represent businesses in all parts of Canada that help the government benefit and serve Canadians. SMEs matter to procurement. As part of its overall mandate, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) continuously seeks to investigate and develop services for increasing the efficiency and economy of the federal public administration and for enhancing integrity and efficiency in the contracting process. The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises and Strategic Engagement (OSME-SE) was first created in 2005, with a mandate to help SMEs do business with the government. It helps SMEs understand how to do business with the government, and helps the government understand, and respond to, the needs of SMEs"--Background.