CCC — International Prime Contractor

Eligibility for the International Prime Contractor service is based on the company's experience and capacity to engage in large-scale international government contracts, as well as alignment with certain sectors.

• The company must be a Canadian business.
• The business should have experience selling internationally and selling directly to government buyers as a usual sales mode.
• The sales lead should be relatively large (over $10 million) or potentially lead to a larger deal that will attract attention at senior levels of the buying government.
• The company must have a growth strategy that prioritizes international sales.
• The company should have local representation in the target markets.
• The company needs to have the capacity and financial strength to pursue large deals.
• The priority sectors generally include aerospace, clean technology, defence, infrastructure, and information and communications technology (ICT), but can also extend to other sectors like agriculture and health.

Who is eligible?

Eligible expenses

This grant supports Canadian businesses engaging in international government to government (G2G) contracts. The eligible projects are focused on large-scale, high-value sectors where Canadian companies can offer their expertise and products while enhancing international trade relationships.

• Providing aerospace solutions for foreign government needs.
• Developing defence systems tailored to international military requirements.
• Advancing clean technology initiatives abroad.
• Delivering information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to governmental entities.
• Undertaking construction and infrastructure projects for international government contracts.
• Supplying transportation solutions, including maritime services, to foreign governments.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to Canadian businesses with international sales experience and a focus on growing their export activities. The Canadian Commercial Corporation supports companies from various regions, aligning with Canada's progressive trade agenda.

• Canadian businesses experienced in international sales.
• Firms with significant project opportunities exceeding $10M in value.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation and selection criteria include:

• Technical expertise to fulfill opportunities in the stated sector
• Managerial capability to manage the business for the contract duration
• Financial strength to handle the contract scope without undue risk
• Compliance with integrity standards and completion of a compliance certificate

Here are additional relevant details for the International Prime Contractor program:

• The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) acts as the prime contractor, providing a Government of Canada guarantee of contract performance, which is a significant reassurance to international government buyers.
• The program includes a rigorous due diligence process to evaluate the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of the Canadian business, ensuring the business can fulfill the contract obligations.
• G2G contracts facilitated by the CCC are well regarded by financial institutions, which may result in favorable financing terms for both the government buyers and the Canadian businesses involved.
• CCC helps to mitigate risks related to political instability, corruption, and payment issues during contract execution.
• The G2G approach encourages collaboration with the Government of Canada's diplomatic and trade networks to gain insights and facilitate successful contract outcomes.
• There is an emphasis on adhering to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices throughout project execution.
• CCC facilitates advocacy and troubleshooting support throughout the contract term and beyond to ensure successful execution and follow-up opportunities.
• Successful projects under the program often lead to further collaborations and strengthened trade relationships with foreign governments.