Obtain your authorization
All Québec-based enterprises that wish to file an application for authorization to enter into public contracts and subcontracts covered by the Act respecting contracting by public bodies must use E-Services.
This on-line service will allow you to send the necessary information concerning your authorization – such as updates, supporting documents, fee payments and renewals – to the Autorité des marchés publics (AMP) securely and quickly.
- Consult the Guides and Declarations section for information on the application for authorization.
Thresholds and categories of public contrats and subcontracts
Verify the thresholds and categories of public contracts and subcontracts for which your enterprise must obtain an authorization.
Note: The AMP publishes the orders in council indicating the monetary thresholds and categories of public contracts covered by the Act. For more information, contact the resource person responsible for the call for tenders of the public contract in which you are interested.
Required documents
Please ensure that you are able to provide the documents required as part of the application for authorization, in particular the audited financial statements for the enterprise’s latest fiscal year.
Notice to the reader will not be accepted
If the enterprise does not have audited financial statements, the AMP requires at least a review engagement report on the financial statements for the latest fiscal year (a notice to the reader alone will not be accepted). Otherwise, your application for authorization cannot be processed and the application fees will not be refunded..
Transmission of information
Throughout the application process, and as long as the enterprise holds an authorization, the respondent will be the only person with whom the AMP communicates when necessary. If the respondent is unable to perform his or her functions, he or she may sign a power of attorney authorizing another person to communicate with the AMP as part of the application process.
Processing time
Applications are processed as quickly as possible. Processing times may vary depending on the application.
Ensure that your enterprise’s file with the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) This link will open in a new window, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) This link will open in a new window and the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ) This link will open in a new window is up-to-date.
Sole proprietorships (self-employed workers) and foreign enterprises
If you are an enterprise that was not constituted under the laws of Québec and does not have its head office or an establishment in Québec where it primarily conducts its activities, you are considered to be a foreign enterprise. If you are a sole proprietorship (self-employed), you come under the “natural person operating an enterprise” category. Please consult the section Foreign Enterprises and Natural Persons Operating an Enterprise for all the information you need to apply for and renew your authorization.
How much does an application for authorization cost?
An enterprise that files an application for authorization with the AMP must pay the required fees.
Please note that these fees are non-refundable.
Authorization process
The AMP is in particular responsible for processing applications for the issuance and renewal of the authorizations made by the enterprises, from their filing to the final decision. To do this, it carries out most of the verification activities related to business integrity and relies, among other things, on relevant information obtained from its partners, such as the Commission de la construction du Québec, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, the Registraire des entreprises du Québec and Revenu Québec. It also works with the Unité permanente anticorruption, which sends in a report the results of its verifications relating to the links that the plaintiff maintains or has maintained with organized crime or even the lack of adequacy between the legal sources of legal financing of the enterprise and its activities. In light of its discussions with its various partners, the AMP makes a decision on the application for the issuance or the renewal of the authorization.
Validity of authorization
An authorization granted by the AMP is valid for five years. If you wish to renew your authorization, you must file an application for renewal at least 90 days before your authorization expires.
Non-renewal of the authorization
If you do not wish to renew your authorization, you must submit your application for non-renewal using AMP E-Services. To do so, access your Client File and select the application for renewal under Public Contracts – Renewal/Non-renewal. Subsequently, your enterprise's name will be removed from the Register of enterprises authorized to enter into public contracts and subcontracts and therefore, will no longer be able to enter into new public contracts or subcontracts. However, you may continue your public contracts and subcontracts already in process.
Contesting the AMP's decision regarding the application for authorization
The AMP's decision regarding your application for authorization is an administrative decision. It is final and may not be appealed, but is subject to review by the Superior Court.