Contract Management is often thought to be the last step in the Procurement life cycle but instead it is both the beginning and end of the procurement cycle and it provides a constant feedback loop. The following article discusses the various steps of contract management and its role in procurement efficiency. But first a definition […]
Introduction: In the realm of Canadian public sector procurement, understanding the fundamental principles of contract law is essential for ensuring fair, transparent, and effective practices. This article delves into the core concepts of Canadian contract law and examines their practical applications within the context of procurement. By exploring the interplay between legal theory and real-world […]
Author : Chris Sheel Delivering major capital projects on time and on budget has always been a challenging and elusive goal. Even more so now, seasoned professionals in the construction industry have seen budgets disrupted considerably by fluctuations in pricing and lead times that have shredded carefully drafted cost estimates and project schedules. Budgets previously […]
Author : Graham Allen Procurement planning is foundational to preparing and issuing a successful solicitation. The following article outlines the solicitation process and while not all steps have equal weight all steps should be considered. To quote Yogi Berra, the famous baseball player and coach: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end […]
Author : Edward Claringbold Over the past three years, I have been the Procurement Lead for the First Nation Procurement Policy at my organisation. In late 2020, we took a bold step into the unknown by releasing the First Nation Procurement Policy, which was collaboratively designed and written with our First Nation Partners. Our aim […]
Author : Trish Rafuse As a seasoned public procurement professional you have likely taken your share of procurement related courses in purchasing. You probably have a procurement certification, or two, and are left wondering where your own professional development can go from here. Conversely you may be a newer procurement staff who are working though […]
Author: Graham Allen It is often said, “… working in public procurement is akin to being in a fish bowl with the cat watching.” This is an indication of the level of transparency and accountability required by public procurement professionals. A key aspect to keeping the cat away is a strong foundational procurement document that […]
Navigating the public procurement process can be challenging enough then add in Buying Groups, GPO’s or group purchasing organization, collaborative procurement initiatives, purchasing networks, collaborative sourcing partners, they go by so many names. They can be government agencies, not for profit organizations, or private companies. Some are membership based, national, regional, or sector specific. How […]
Author: Helen Doucette “Accept the bid from ABC Company” said the VP of Finance to the Director of Procurement. “I cannot” replied the Director. “Why not” asked the VP. “According to the Competitive Bidding Law of Canada, we can only accept compliant bids. ABC’s was late and deemed non-compliant. To accept the bid would put […]
Author: Graham Allen In the second of two parts of “Navigation the Five Steps of the Procurement Journey” we’ll be covering posting, evaluation, award and close out. Step 3 Posting Once the procurement document is developed and approved it is posted online for bidders to respond. The posting time is determined primarily by the procurement’s […]
Author: Graham Allen There are many similarities and differences between public and private procurement. However, the greatest overlap is the procurement life cycle or as some refer to it as the Procurement Journey. This two-part series discusses the five steps of the procurement journey beginning with concept and development and continuing with posting, evaluation and […]
Author: Larry Berglund As part of the assessment on the ability of a supply chain department to deliver value effectively, is its ability to do so efficiently. Efficiency is realized through many factors: the talent of its staff and the training budget; the governance policies and reporting structures; the budget for resources including equipment; the […]
Author: Liz Busch Despite how well we plan our procurement projects, your contractor’s performance may not be what you were expecting. Some government organizations have clear measures and expectations, and systematic approaches to managing contractor performance. As an example, a Google search gives you these results: The City of Toronto’s Contractor Performance Evaluation Form (construction […]
As a company that provides education in public procurement, this is perhaps the most common question that arises. While there are many similarities, the nuances of public legislation and free trade requirements create a procurement environment that is more regulated, demands a greater level of transparency, and requires vigilance to stay on top of the constantly […]
By The Procurement School A Statement of Work (SOW), also referred to as Statement of Requirements (SOR), is a detailed description of the goods and/or services to be supplied under a contract. The job of the document is to clearly stipulate all services and deliverables required to fulfill a contract by defining the tasks or […]
The era of whistleblowing and the need for transparency and supportive legislation in public procurement By The Procurement School Whistleblowers can change the world. And the world needs changing. As dramatic as it may sound, real change requires brave actions and loud voices. However, unveiling corruption and fraud can come with repercussions and grave consequences, […]
By The Procurement School On September 21, 2021, Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Liberal party leader, was re-elected with a minority Government. As Trudeau will be leading the country for the next 18 months, we thought we would look at what re-election means for public procurement. It seems the Liberals are investing heavily into keeping up with […]
Staying Safe in Uncertain Times As many of our valued clients have now implemented pandemic protocols, we thought the following information from the Canadian Bar Association on the legal implications for the workplace might be useful: Here is also some useful information on the business and legal implications of Covid-19 from Blakes: With respect to […]
Expanded Impact of Trade Agreements Although they have been in place for two years, we are just beginning to see the impact of the new trade agreements in Canada. When the single point of access (“SPA”) mechanism is implemented by the Federal government then all bidders will be able to see all opportunities in Canada, […]