Government construction projects across Canada award extra evaluation points, up to 5% to general contractors who demonstrate meaningful Indigenous participation.

These points can be the deciding factor in close bids. Working with Swákwel, an Indigenous-owned and Squamish Nation–endorsed materials supplier, allows general contractors to access these points easily by listing us as a procurement partner on eligible bids.

 

This approach is backed by policies like the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) and BC’s implementation of UNDRIP through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

 

We work with trusted, market-rate suppliers and installers, so you don’t need to change your process or take on additional risk. It’s a streamlined, proven way to gain a strategic edge, strengthen your proposal, and win more work in a highly competitive market.

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1. Start with the Right Project

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This strategy only works on bids that include an Indigenous participation or social value component.
These are typically:

• Government projects (municipal, provincial, federal)

• RFPs with Indigenous procurement scoring criteria

 

We can help identify which bids qualify.

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2. List Swákwel in Your Bid Submission

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On eligible projects, simply list Swákwel as the supplier of construction materials (e.g., drywall, insulation, ceiling systems, fasteners, etc.).
You can include us under:

• “Supply of Materials”

• “Procurement/Partners”

• Or anywhere Indigenous contribution is scored

This is how you trigger the up to 5-point bid bonus.

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3. No Disruption to Your Workflow

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You don’t have to change your process.
Here’s how we work:

• You keep your usual installers and subcontractors

• We supply the material through your subs through a vendor arrangement

Or

• We bring in our subcontractors to install the product.​

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4. Stronger Proposal. Better Score. More Wins.

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You submit your bid as usual, but now with a meaningful Indigenous procurement advantage.