Solicitation types
Advance Contract Award Notice
Also known as: ACAN
A notice that a buyer intends to award to one pre-identified supplier, allowing others to challenge that intention.
An ACAN states that a buyer believes only one supplier can meet a requirement and intends to contract with them directly. It is published for a defined period during which any other supplier may submit a statement of capabilities arguing that it, too, could do the work.
If a statement of capabilities is accepted, the buyer must generally run a competitive process instead. If none is received, or none is accepted, the award proceeds as posted.
For suppliers, ACANs are worth monitoring even though they look closed. A well-evidenced challenge can convert a sole-source award into a competition — but the window is short and the response must demonstrate capability against the stated requirement specifically, not general competence.
In practice
A department posts an ACAN to renew specialised software maintenance with the original developer. A competitor with a compatible product submits a statement of capabilities within the posting period.
Related terms
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This definition describes general Canadian federal practice and is not legal advice. Always confirm requirements against the official solicitation.