Unsolicited Proposals

The City of Markham welcomes unsolicited proposals from businesses, organizations, and individuals. These proposals may offer innovative ideas, solutions, services, infrastructure, partnerships, or technologies that could create value for the community.

Download Unsolicited Proposal Application Form

Overview

Businesses and organizations can bring new ideas and opportunities that may not come through the City’s usual procurement processes. Unsolicited proposals can help support innovation, economic growth, community benefits, and better public services. To support these opportunities, the City has created a process for receiving, reviewing and considering unsolicited proposals.  

The process is designed to: 

• Be open, fair and accountable; 
• Make sure proposals provide benefits to the City and the community; 
• Encourage new ideas and partnerships; 
• Protect confidential information shared by proponents; and 
• Follow all applicable laws, trade agreements, and City policies. 

Read the City of Markham’s Unsolicited Proposal Policy.

Submission and Assessment Guidelines 

The guidelines below provide an overview of Unsolicited Proposals (USPs), how to apply, and how proposals are reviewed. Interested parties are encouraged to review this information carefully before submitting a proposal.  

The guidelines do not create any contractual rights or obligations. Any rights or responsibilities related to a proposal will be set out through the City's review and procurement processes. 

Who Can Submit an Unsolicited Proposal?

The City accepts unsolicited proposals from: 

• Businesses and corporations; 
• Non-profit organizations; 
• Academic and research institutions; 
• Public-private partnerships; and 
• Individual proponents. 

Before preparing an application, interested proponents should review the City's Unsolicited Proposal Policy and submission requirements.

What Qualifies as an Unsolicited Proposal? 

To be considered, a proposal must be new, original, and independently created by the proponent. 

A proposal must: 

• Address a service, program, infrastructure need, or opportunity that is not already part of an existing, pending, or publicly announced City procurement process; 
• Offer a new or innovative idea, approach, technology, partnership, or business model; 
• Show clear value and measurable benefits for the City of Markham and its residents; 
• Be practical and affordable to carry out; and 
• Be in line with the City's strategic goals and community priorities.  

Submit an Unsolicited Proposal Application Form 

Download an Unsolicited Proposal Application Form

Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted electronically by email to the City of Markham at u@markham.ca. Incomplete applications may not be considered for evaluation.