Private Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office?
A Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office is an independently operated business, which provides all routine driver and vehicle licensing products and services such as driver's licence renewals and vehicle validation renewals. The business owner is under contract with the ministry. There are approximately 270 issuing offices across the Province of Ontario. Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices are also referred to as Private Issuing Offices.

What is a private issuer?
A private issuer is an individual, partnership or corporation who is under contract with ServiceOntario, to issue routine driver and vehicle licensing products and services, such as driver's licence renewals and vehicle validation renewals.

How does ServiceOntario determine the need for a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office?
Issuing office opportunities may become available when ServiceOntario's agreement with an existing issuer terminates, or when customer service demands exceed the capacity of the current issuing network in a specific area. The ministry will conduct a review to determine if a real need exists for continued or new/additional services. The review includes looking at the demographics of the area, historical business growth/decline (e.g. number of motor vehicle dealers), current business viability for the new issuing office, and potential impacts on the public and other issuers in the surrounding area.

If the ministry determines that a need for a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office exists in a specific location, how do I apply to become the private issuer for that location?
ServiceOntario will seek qualified applicants by preparing and releasing a Request for Proposals through 'MERX', the electronic tendering system used by the province of Ontario or through the release of a Request for Invitational Bids (RFIB) in a community. In both instances, ServiceOntario notifies the public about these opportunities in the local newspapers of the affected communities and advises the interested applicants to retrieve the RFP from MERX or the RFIB from a designated government representative.

How can I retrieve a copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) from MERX?
To obtain the RFP from MERX, anyone with Internet access can visit www.merx.com and request the document. Those without Internet access can request that a hard copy of the document be sent to them via courier, mail or fax by making a toll-free call to their centre at 1-800-964-MERX (6379). Please be advised that MERX charges a nominal document distribution fee.

What is the purpose of the Request for Proposals (RFP)?
Request for Proposals (RFP) provide interested applicants access to an open and fair competitive procurement process.

The purpose of the RFP is to invite interested applicants to submit written business plans and other relevant information for ServiceOntario's assessment.  Top applicants are invited to attend an in-person interview and the applicant that is deemed to best meet the requirements is selected to operate the private issuing office. The details regarding the information ServiceOntario requires and the evaluation process are outlined in the RFP document. Prospective applicants may also direct questions or seek additional information to the contact noted in the RFP document.

Who can apply to become the private issuer of an issuing office opportunity?
Any individual, partnership or corporation that meets ServiceOntario's requirements for operators of a private issuing office can apply. Those who are excluded from operating a private issuing office include, but are not limited to: those who plan to co-locate with an excluded business or activity and/or applicants engaged in any activity or business whose interests may conflict with the interests of ServiceOntario and/or with proper and impartial performance of the services.

Excluded organizations include, but are not limited to: motor vehicle manufacturers; motor vehicle dealerships; motor vehicle leasing/rental companies; and businesses engaged in the manufacture, supply or sale of alcohol.

What are the skills required to become the private issuer of a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office?
In response to the RFP, ServiceOntario requires applicants to submit a proposal detailing their skills, experience and a business plan. ServiceOntario reviews and considers the relevancy and applicability of the applicant's proposal to the opportunity, following a two-staged evaluation process.

Stage 1 consists of the verification of mandatory requirements submitted by the applicants. Mandatory requirements are primarily forms that all applicants are expected to complete and include as part of their proposal, for example, a completed Conflict of Interest Form.

In Stage 2, ServiceOntario evaluates the proposals against desirable criteria, according to the details in the RFP. Some of the desirable skills and experience ServiceOntario is looking for in a proponent include: strong customer service skills, business ownership and/or management experience, staff and financial management experience, and administration skills. ServiceOntario is also looking for proposals with a solid business plan including: staffing models, financial projections and plans, and an implementation strategy.

How will I know if new opportunities arise?
It is suggested that you frequently check MERX to determine if there are any opportunities that are of interest to you, as they are posted on an as required basis. You may contact MERX online at www.merx.com or by calling 1-800-964-MERX (6379).