In the NWT, you can lose a GNWT contract without being “wrong.” You can be the lowest price and still lose once the Business Incentive Policy (BIP) adjustment is applied. Or you can be competitive on price and still get zero BIP credit because your paperwork or content claims don’t line up.
This page explains what BIP actually does, who can register, how bid adjustments are applied, and how to avoid the most common BIP mistakes. It also includes a plain-language path for what to do if you’re not eligible (yet) so you can still bid intelligently.
What this page covers
- What BIP is (and what it isn’t)
- Eligibility basics and what you must keep current
- How BIP changes bid competition (NWT vs Local content)
- Decision points: when BIP helps, and what it doesn’t fix
- Partner/sub trade-offs and content strategy without risk-taking
- A “not eligible” path you can use this week
- A printable checklist and a copy/paste proof-pack template
Quick decision path
- If you plan to bid GNWT work this season: check whether you are already on the BIP Registry and confirm the exact business name you must use when bidding.
- If you’re NWT-owned and operate year-round in the NWT: BIP registration is usually worth doing early because it can change competitiveness on GNWT procurements.
- If you’re not eligible (or not yet eligible): don’t stop. Build a compliant “NWT/Local content plan” using BIP-registered subcontractors/suppliers and NWT resident labour where practical, and complete the required substantiation forms correctly.
- If the bid requires BIP substantiation forms: treat them like mandatory. A good price with weak BIP substantiation can lose to a slightly higher bid with strong, defensible content.
- If you’re thinking about a partnership or joint venture to access BIP advantages: only do it if the delivery model is real (who hires who, who manages, where the work happens, who supplies what). “Paper partnerships” create audit and performance risk.
- If you’re bidding outside your home community: Local content rules depend on what the procurement defines as the local community. Don’t assume “local” means “anywhere in the NWT.”
The Northern reality check
- BIP rewards real delivery capacity in the NWT. It does not replace mandatory bid requirements, safety, insurance, or technical compliance.
- Content claims are commitments. If you claim NWT/Local content, expect to be held to it during contract delivery.
- “Local” is context-specific. The local community for a contract can be defined by where the work is performed (and the procurement documents matter).
What BIP is (and what it isn’t)
BIP is a GNWT procurement policy. It provides an incentive on GNWT contracting by applying a bid adjustment for NWT content and (where applicable) Local content. The adjustment affects how bids are evaluated; it does not change your actual bid price.
BIP is not a guarantee. You can still lose with BIP registration. You can also still win without it if your price, scope, and compliance are strong.
How BIP can change your bid outcome
The two levers: NWT content and Local content
- NWT content: the part of your bid you will deliver from within the Northwest Territories (labour, services, and (in some cases) goods from approved sources).
- Local content: the portion of your NWT content delivered from the local community/community area identified for the contract.
Bid adjustment basics (what you should understand before pricing)
- Up to $1 million: bid adjustments can be applied to eligible NWT content and additional eligible Local content.
- Over $1 million: the adjustment structure changes for the portion above $1 million, and there is a maximum total adjustment cap.
- Services and construction: procurements commonly require bidders/proponents to submit a BIP substantiation form to receive the adjustment.
- Goods: BIP treatment for goods can depend on whether the supplier is BIP-registered and approved for the specific goods commodity being supplied.
Operator rule: don’t guess. Use the exact tender instructions and the current substantiation forms for that procurement opportunity.
Eligibility: what “being BIP-registered” usually requires
Eligibility is about more than a mailing address. BIP registration generally expects that you are legally allowed to carry on business in the NWT, have a year-round place of business with a physical address, and meet ownership/residency or workforce/management requirements.
What you should be ready to prove
- Legal ability to do business in the NWT: your business is properly registered and compliant, and holds the appropriate NWT business licence for its operating location(s).
- Year-round NWT presence: you maintain a physical place of business in the NWT for the primary purpose of operating the business (home-based may be acceptable if it is a real operating base).
- Ownership/residency (common pathway): majority ownership by eligible NWT resident(s), depending on business structure.
- Workforce/management (alternative pathway): majority NWT resident employees conducting operations in the NWT and an NWT resident manager overseeing NWT operations (where applicable).
- Goods suppliers/retailers: if you are registering as a supplier of goods, there may be additional requirements tied to public access and inventory (and, in some cases, inspection requirements).
Maintenance: what can quietly break your BIP status
- Expired business licence. Many business licences are annual and must stay current.
- Corporate registries not in good standing. Missing annual filings can create downstream problems.
- Changes you didn’t report: ownership, contact info, address, categories of goods/services, or management structure.
- Not responding to renewal outreach: if you ignore renewal requests and deadlines, you can be removed from the registry.
Operator move: put BIP renewal and business licence renewal in the same calendar as insurance and WSCC renewals. If you bid GNWT work, these are not optional admin tasks.
Step-by-step: how to use BIP in a real bid (without getting burned)
Step 1: Confirm whether BIP applies to the procurement
Most GNWT procurement opportunities will indicate if BIP applies and what you must submit to receive credit. Treat the tender/RFP instructions as the controlling document.
Step 2: Verify your status on the BIP Registry
- Check: are you listed, is your contact information current, and what is the exact business name?
- Why it matters: if your bidder name doesn’t match the name on the registry (or your BIP registration), you can lose credit you expected.
Step 3: Build your content plan before final pricing
- Labour: which roles will be filled by NWT residents, and from where?
- Subcontractors: which subs are BIP-registered and ready to perform?
- Suppliers: which suppliers are BIP-registered and approved for the specific goods commodity (if goods credit is in play)?
Step 4: Complete the substantiation forms like they are mandatory
For many services and construction procurements, receiving the BIP adjustment depends on correctly completing and submitting the current substantiation forms with your bid/proposal. In some cases, spreadsheet versions are available and are designed to calculate adjustments.
Step 5: Don’t over-claim content you can’t deliver
Your BIP content percentages and dollar values should match your real delivery plan. If your bid says 100% local labour but your staffing plan includes non-resident workers, you’re creating a conflict inside your own submission.
Step 6: Treat content commitments as contract commitments
If you win, expect that BIP content commitments can be monitored during delivery and may be auditable. Manage your subcontractors and procurement accordingly—especially if you must seek approval to change subcontractors or suppliers.
When BIP helps (and what it doesn’t fix)
BIP helps when
- You are close on price and your competitor has less NWT/Local content.
- You can deliver a credible local labour/sub/supply plan and document it cleanly.
- You have strong execution capacity in the NWT (housing/travel/logistics figured out).
BIP does not fix
- Non-compliant bids. Missing mandatory forms, signatures, bid security, or addenda acknowledgement can still kill your bid.
- Weak execution plans. If you can’t staff, mobilize, or manage risk, you can win and still lose money.
- Bad estimating. BIP doesn’t pay your freight overruns or weather downtime.
What to do if you’re not eligible (yet)
Not being BIP-registered does not mean you have zero BIP strategy. Your job is to build a compliant plan that improves competitiveness without creating audit or performance risk.
Path A: Become eligible (if you realistically can)
- Fix the basics: business registration, business licence, and a stable physical place of business.
- Align ownership/control: if eligibility depends on majority ownership by NWT resident(s), do not assume it is “close enough.” Get it clean and documentable.
- Start early: registration and registry updates can take time. Don’t wait until a tender is closing next week.
Path B: Compete using real NWT/Local content (without being registered)
- Use BIP-registered subcontractors and suppliers: build relationships early so you’re not scrambling during a bid window.
- Hire NWT resident labour where practical: plan for recruitment, housing, and training realities.
- Substantiate accurately: list the correct subcontractors/suppliers and realistic dollar values. Don’t “fill it in later.”
Path C: Subcontract first, then prime later
- When it’s smart: if prime requirements are heavy (insurance, bonding, reporting) or your admin capacity is limited.
- Your goal: build references and proof of performance in NWT conditions, then move up to prime bids on defined scopes.
Path D: Partner/JV carefully (only if the delivery model is real)
- Do: define who employs who, where management sits, who invoices, and which party is responsible for performance and compliance.
- Don’t: create “paper arrangements” that don’t match reality. If content claims don’t match delivery, you’re taking on contract and future-eligibility risk.
Common pitfalls (how businesses lose BIP credit or create contract risk)
- Using the wrong business name in the bid. If the bid name doesn’t match the registry/registration, your expected advantage may not apply.
- Submitting the wrong version of substantiation forms. Use the current forms referenced by the procurement and watch for addenda.
- Over-claiming local labour or suppliers. If your own supporting documents contradict your form, you can lose credit.
- Assuming any NWT supplier counts for goods. For goods credit, the supplier may need to be approved for the specific goods commodity.
- Not maintaining eligibility. Expired licences and outdated registry info create last-minute bid problems.
Next steps (do this this week)
- Search the BIP Registry and confirm your exact listed business name and status.
- Create a “BIP Proof Pack” folder using the template below.
- Identify 3 BIP-registered subcontractors/suppliers in your category and confirm they can support bids this season.
- Download the current substantiation forms (and spreadsheet versions if offered) and practice filling one out on a past job.
- Decide your path: apply for BIP registration, or bid with a content strategy while you become eligible.
CHECKLIST (printable)
- BIP applies? Confirm the procurement states BIP applies and what forms are required.
- Registry check done: confirm your company listing, reference number (if shown), and exact business name.
- Name discipline: ensure the bidder name you submit matches your BIP-listed name (or your legal/operating name rules) consistently.
- Eligibility docs current: business licence current; corporate registry status in good standing; physical place of business evidence current.
- Content plan written: labour plan + subcontract plan + supplier plan (who, where, and what they provide).
- Supplier reality check: for goods, confirm the supplier is BIP-registered and approved for the specific commodity if required.
- Substantiation form completed: correct version, correct totals, and subcontract/supplier list matches your bid narrative.
- No contradictions: resumes/staff plan/sub quotes do not conflict with your local/NWT content claims.
- Addenda monitored: check daily in the final week and update forms if anything changes.
- Delivery plan matches claims: don’t claim content you can’t deliver in real conditions.
- Post-award plan: if awarded, track content delivery and keep invoices/proof organized in case of audit.
TEMPLATE: BIP Proof Pack + Bid Content Snapshot (copy/paste)
Use this as your internal file index and bid support notes. The goal is to answer BIP questions quickly without scrambling during a bid window.
1) Business identity (keep names consistent)
- Legal business name:
- Operating name (if used):
- Name used in GNWT bidder profile:
- BIP Registry name (exact):
- BIP reference number (if shown):
- Primary contact + backup contact:
2) Eligibility documents (current copies)
- Proof of registration / corporate registry status: [file name]
- Business licence (and renewal date): [file name]
- Physical place of business evidence (lease/ownership): [file name]
- Ownership/control proof (share register/partnership proof as applicable): [file name]
- Any required residency proof (if applicable): [file name]
3) Content plan snapshot (for this bid)
- Procurement ID + title:
- Local community identified in documents (if any):
- Planned NWT resident labour roles (list):
- BIP-registered subcontractors (name + scope + $):
- BIP-registered suppliers (name + goods commodity + $):
- Non-BIP content (what and why):
- Risk note: what could break this plan (staffing, freight, supplier lead time) and your fallback plan
4) Forms and submission control
- Substantiation form version used: [link/file name]
- Prepared by / reviewed by:
- Addenda checked last: [date/time]
- Final cross-check: do bid narrative + staffing plan + subs/suppliers match the substantiation form?
FAQ
Does BIP guarantee I’ll win GNWT work?
No. BIP affects evaluation, but mandatory requirements, technical compliance, and execution capacity still decide outcomes. A compliant, well-scoped bid can beat a messy bid even if the messy bid expects BIP advantage.
Do I need to be BIP-registered to get any benefit?
Not always. Depending on the procurement and how BIP is applied, bidders may receive credit for eligible NWT/Local content through the labour, subcontractor, and supplier components of the bid—if they provide the required substantiation correctly. Read the specific tender/RFP instructions and use the current forms.
What’s the biggest BIP mistake bidders make?
Mismatch and over-claiming. Using a different name than the registry/registration name, using the wrong form version, or claiming local/NWT content that your own supporting documents contradict are common ways to lose credit.
How does BIP affect proposals (RFPs) versus tenders?
BIP can be applied to both tenders and RFPs, but the mechanics differ. For RFPs, the financial evaluation can be adjusted using BIP rules and the required substantiation form, then evaluated within the proposal scoring model described in the RFP.
If I’m not eligible, what is the safest way to become more competitive?
Build real NWT/Local delivery capacity: hire NWT resident labour where practical, use BIP-registered subcontractors and suppliers when they fit, and substantiate those choices cleanly. If you can become eligible, start the registration process early so you’re not trying to fix fundamentals during a bid window.
Key tools & resources
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GNWT ITI: Business Incentive Policy overview
What it is: The main GNWT page explaining BIP purpose, advantages, and how to register.
Who it’s for: Any business considering GNWT procurement or trying to understand BIP basics.
When it helps: First stop for bid adjustment basics and registration entry points.
Northern caveat: Program details and documents can be updated; always use the current version linked from official pages.
How to start: Read the bid adjustment section, then jump to the registry search and the current application/forms.
https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/services/business-incentive-policy
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Search BIP Registry (confirm your name and status)
What it is: The official registry search for BIP-approved businesses.
Who it’s for: Bidders who need to confirm listing, exact business name, and status before submitting.
When it helps: Before every bid—especially if you’ve changed contact info, addresses, or business structure.
Northern caveat: Name discipline matters; small naming differences can create bid-evaluation friction.
How to start: Search your business name and record the exact listed name for your bidder profile and bid forms.
https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/services/business-incentive-program-bip/search-bip-registry
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Guide to the Business Incentive Policy (Guidelines PDF)
What it is: The operational guide that explains eligibility, required documents, service standards, and renewal/maintenance expectations.
Who it’s for: Businesses applying for registration and businesses maintaining registration.
When it helps: When you want a checklist of what you must prove (presence, ownership, licensing, registry status).
Northern caveat: Missing documents can stall processing; keep a proof pack ready before your busy season.
How to start: Read the eligibility and application requirements sections, then build your proof pack folder.
https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/iti/files/BIP_Guidelines_EN_May16.pdf
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BIP Application Form and Appendices (PDF)
What it is: The current application form package (new registration, update, renewal, and category-related appendices).
Who it’s for: Businesses applying, renewing, or updating their BIP registration/categories.
When it helps: Any time your business name, address, ownership, or categories need to be reflected accurately in the registry.
Northern caveat: Use the exact name you will bid under—consistency is part of being evaluated correctly.
How to start: Download and complete the package, then submit with the required proof documents to the appropriate regional office process.
https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/iti/files/BIP_Application_Form_and_Appendix_A-D_NWT9090-Aug_20_2024.pdf
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Interpretive Bulletin IB-4: Application and Substantiation of the BIP Bid Adjustment (PDF)
What it is: A GNWT interpretive bulletin describing how BIP bid adjustments are applied and substantiated on tenders and RFPs (including form expectations and key rules).
Who it’s for: Any bidder/proponent completing BIP substantiation forms for GNWT procurements.
When it helps: When you need clarity on substantiation rules, content definitions, and form discipline.
Northern caveat: Over-claiming content can create contract risk—treat your form as a commitment, not marketing.
How to start: Read the general rules section, then use the referenced current substantiation forms/spreadsheets.
https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/iti/files/Interpretive_Bulletin_IB-4_-Application_and_Substantiation_of_the_BIP_Bid_Adjustment.pdf
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GNWT Finance: Forms and Other Resources (BIP substantiation spreadsheets)
What it is: The GNWT Finance hub that hosts BIP substantiation forms and spreadsheet versions (and examples).
Who it’s for: Bidders/proponents who must submit substantiation forms and want the current templates.
When it helps: Right before you submit—use the current version effective for the procurement period.
Northern caveat: Addenda can change requirements. Always verify you’re using the current form version referenced by the event documents.
How to start: Download the current BIP substantiation adjustment form/spreadsheet (and the matching invoice report form if required post-award).
https://www.fin.gov.nt.ca/en/services/3-help-and-resources/forms-and-other-resources
