Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System (RAQS)

The ministry is undertaking a review of the OPSS 127 rates. The ministry plans to update the rates for Spring 2020, in line with any resultant change to the rate calculations.

The Ministry of Transportation’s Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System (RAQS) for Engineering Services Providers (ESP) is moving to an electronic tendering platform which will make it easier for the ESP firms to do business with the ministry. The new RAQS ESP platform is also operated by MERX.

Effective June 3^rd, 2019 registered ESP firms will be able to view and bid electronically on contract opportunities advertised on the RAQS ESP e-tendering bulletin board.

To register or view opportunities on the new RAQS ESP portal, please go to https://www.raqsesp.merx.com/

Should you have any questions please contact the MERX customer service team at 1-800-964-6379 or by email at raqs@merx.com, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time.

The Ontario Government has automated the mandatory Tax Compliance Verification (TCV) process for businesses bidding on provincial contracts valued at $25,000 or above.

Effective September 14, 2018, service providers registered with the Ministry of Transportation’s Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System (RAQS) are required to confirm compliance with provincial tax obligations, including those federally administered for Ontario, using a new self-serve portal. The TCV portal replaces the existing Tax Compliance Declaration Form and allows service providers to check their compliance status at any time online, and obtain a TCV number to provide to procuring ministries.

Service providers in RAQS are required to complete a TCV at the time of registration and on an annual basis.  Tax compliance verification is required to be eligible to bid on MTO contracts.

Getting a Tax Compliance Verification (TCV) Number

Before you can verify your tax compliance status, your business will need to have a One-key ID. Visit One-key Account Registration to set up an account.

1. To get your TCV number: Register for E-Services
2. Select e-Services from My Services
3. Select or Add a Business on the e-services page
4. Select TCV (you will be redirected to the portal)
5. In the portal, select Request TCV Number on the TCV page
6. If necessary, attach the  Filing and Balance Confirmation (FBC) Letter (if required) and select Next
7. Select View Summary to review compliance summary
8. Download TCV Certificate (optional)
9. Provide your email to receive alerts about your account status

After completing the steps above, service providers can submit their TCV number and a copy of their FBC letter to MTO Qualification Control as part of their RAQS initial registration or annual renewal. 

For more information about the TCV program visit the Supply Chain Ontario website. 

For MTO specific inquiries, contact MTO Qualification Control by email at QualificationControl@ontario.ca, or by phone at (905) 704-2144

Contractors who are successful bidders on MTO contracts with a Total Tender Price of $500,000 or more are required to provide the ministry with the Labour & Material Payment Bond and Performance Bond as per requirements of the Construction Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.C.30, as amended. Each bond shall provide a coverage limit of at least 50% of the Total Tender Price and must be issued on the prescribed form that can be found at https://www.raqs.merx.com/public/main/guideAndProcedures.jsf

The bonds shall name Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Transportation as an obligee and must be issued by a surety company that is an insurer licensed under the Insurance Act to write surety and fidelity insurance.