Public tender, invitation or sole source: how Québec awards contracts

Published October 12, 2026 · Updated October 12, 2026

In Québec, a public body can award a contract in several ways. The method mainly depends on the contract value and the trade-agreement thresholds. Knowing which applies tells you where to look for opportunities.

General information, not legal advice. Check the requirements in each tender document and with the official bodies.

The methods at a glance (departments and agencies)

Method	When	Posted on SEAO?
Public call for tenders (AOP)	Mandatory from the thresholds (except legal exceptions)	Yes, public notice
Regionalized public tender (AOPR)	Contract subject to public tendering but not covered by an intergovernmental agreement; reserved for businesses in a region	Yes, documents on SEAO
Invitation to tender (AOI)	Below thresholds; generally at least three businesses invited, including at least one SMB	No public notice
Sole source / direct award (gré à gré)	Below thresholds, or above in exceptional cases	No (except the notice of intent, below)

For 2026-2027 thresholds, see our thresholds guide.

Sole source above thresholds: the exceptions

Section 13 of Québec's Act respecting contracting by public bodies allows a direct award above the threshold only: 1. in an emergency threatening the safety of persons or property; 2. when only one contractor is possible (warranty, ownership or exclusive right, artistic, heritage or museological value); 3. for confidential or protected matters; 4. when a public tender wouldn't serve the public interest; 5. in other cases set by regulation.

In cases 2 to 4, the body's chief executive must authorize the contract and report it to the Conseil du trésor. In case 4, the body must post a notice of intent on SEAO at least 15 days before concluding the contract, so businesses can express interest.

What about municipalities?

$139,000 and up (until December 31, 2027): open procedure, published on SEAO and in a newspaper.
$25,000 to under $139,000: written invitation to at least two suppliers, unless the contract management by-law sets other rules.

What it means for you

AOP, AOPR and notices of intent are posted on SEAO: monitoring catches them.
Invitations and direct awards aren't posted: make yourself known to buyers to get invited.

Where Veillea fits

Veillea monitors SEAO and CanadaBuys, ranks notices against your profile and summarizes them in English and French. Free for SEAO (weekly digest); Solo $29/month, Team $69/month, Enterprise $199/month ($1,990/yr), flat with no per-notice fees, plus taxes.

Veillea does not replace registering on SEAO, CanadaBuys or a buyer's portal: to get documents and bid, you still use the official platform. Summaries help you triage; the official notice always prevails.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a public and an invitation-only tender?

A public tender is posted on SEAO and open to all eligible businesses. An invitation-only tender targets a limited number of businesses, below thresholds; Québec departments and agencies should generally invite at least three, including one SMB.

What is a sole-source (gré à gré) contract?

A contract negotiated directly with one business, without competition. It's allowed below thresholds and, above them, only in the exceptional cases of section 13 of the Act respecting contracting by public bodies.

What is a notice of intent on SEAO?

A notice posted at least 15 days before a direct award justified on the grounds that a public tender wouldn't serve the public interest, so businesses can express interest.

What is a regionalized tender?

A public tender posted on SEAO but reserved for businesses in a region, preferred for contracts not covered by an intergovernmental agreement.

What is the written-invitation range for Québec municipalities?

$25,000 to under $139,000, unless the contract management by-law sets other rules (2026-2027 values).