Indigenous-owned and -controlled businesses leveraging the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB, formerly PSAB) need clear set-aside positioning, ISC certification signaling, and PSIB-aligned past performance.
Sites should clearly state: ISC Indigenous Business Directory listing (with link), eligibility under set-aside criteria, and prior PSIB-set-aside or PSIB-target file references where disclosable.
PSIB eligibility requires: at least 51% Indigenous ownership, Indigenous control of corporate decision-making, listing on Indigenous Services Canada's Indigenous Business Directory (IBD), and (for set-aside contracts above thresholds) at least 33% of contract value performed by Indigenous personnel or subcontracted to Indigenous suppliers. Sites should publicly link to the IBD listing and state set-aside eligibility clearly.
PSIB-eligible vendors compete in two markets: set-aside contracts (where only PSIB-listed firms may bid) and general competition (where PSIB status is one factor among many). Site copy should serve both readers: a clear PSIB-positioning page for set-aside reviewers, and general capability content that doesn't lean on set-aside positioning for general-competition reviewers.
Yes — ISC listing is independent of file history. But the corporate site should make eligibility evidence available for evaluator verification.
Generally no — pricing is evaluated on the same basis. PSIB status may factor into evaluator narrative on social-procurement-aligned files.
Joint ventures are possible but require careful structure to meet PSIB eligibility tests. Consult the ISC PSIB program team before structuring a JV.