Call-up limits (standing offers)

A call-up limit is the maximum dollar value of any single contract that can be issued against a standing offer. It is not a fixed number set by regulation: CanadaBuys states that the call-up limit is set in the standing offer document itself for the identified user(s), within the contracting approvals required by the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Procurement.

What it is

A standing offer is only an offer to supply; a contract exists only when a buyer issues a call-up. Because a standing offer can run for years across many buyers, each call-up is capped so that no individual purchase escapes the scrutiny a contract of that size would normally receive. Per CanadaBuys, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) may issue call-ups exceeding the limit if the standing offer says so, and a requirement whose value exceeds the call-up limitation cannot be forced onto a mandatory standing offer — it goes to a full competition instead.

Typical values in practice

There is no single statutory consulting-services call-up threshold; limits vary by instrument. Verifiable examples show the range: PSPC's National Master Standing Offers for supplies have capped individual call-ups at $249,999.99 (taxes included), while a Defence Construction Canada architectural and engineering consulting standing offer set expected call-ups between $10,000 and $100,000 with a maximum of $350,000. Larger professional-services vehicles may allow higher call-ups, but every limit is written into the standing offer document — read it before planning your sales strategy.

What it means for vendors

Winning a standing offer does not guarantee revenue: the government can only buy up to the call-up limit per transaction, and requirements above the limit must go out as separate competitive solicitations. Never split a requirement to stay under a call-up limit — buyers treat that as circumvention. Track the limit in each standing offer you hold or target, and expect buyers to justify any call-up under the Directive's contracting approvals.

Common questions

Can one requirement be split across several call-ups?

No. The total estimated value of the requirement governs. Splitting a purchase to stay under a call-up limit or trade-agreement threshold is treated as circumvention, not compliance.

Who can exceed the call-up limit?

Only where the standing document allows it — typically PSPC acting for client departments. Authorized users other than PSPC cannot exceed the limit stated for them.

Related definitions

Standing offer · Supply arrangement vs. standing offer · RFSO (Request for Standing Offer)