Policy Notice: Business Transformation Initiative - The Way Forward

December 21, 2005

To: Functional Heads, Administration/Finance of all Departments and Agencies

Subject: 

Business Transformation Initiative – The Way Forward

Summary:

Treasury Board (TB) Ministers have approved the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Business Transformation Initiative project proposal, which included changes to the TB Contracting Policy and Common Services Policy effective May 16, 2005.

Changes to Treasury Board Contracting Policy
(Appendix C, Part I, Basic Contracting Limits)

Treasury Board Contracting Policy, Appendix C, Part I, Basic Contracting Limits:

• Insert new paragraph 5:

"As of April 1, 2005, for commodities listed in Schedule 4 below, and where PWGSC has developed standing offers in support of these commodities, the use of those standing offers is mandatory.  PWGSC will publish the list of standing offers that are available for each commodity and will update this list on an annual basis."

• Insert new schedule 4 and renumber existing Schedule 4 to Schedule 5 (see attachment)
• At Part 2, Exceptional Contracting Limits;

At paragraph:

"In addition, or as an exception, to the contracting limits in Part I of this Appendix, the following special contracting limits and other related authorities have been approved by the Treasury Board."

Append:

"These exceptional limits will be used in conjunction with the use of mandatory PWGSC instruments as a first consideration to the extent practicable."

Changes to Treasury Board Common Services Policy

• Insert: "Where PWGSC has put them in place, departments are required to use instruments (standing offers, supply arrangements or other pre-negotiated multi-departmental instruments issued by PWGSC) for commodities (including Temporary Help) listed in the Treasury Board Contracting Policy, Appendix C, Part 1, Basic Contracting Limits, Schedule 4." at Appendix E, Mandatory Services, Article 5. Public Works and Government Services Canada, Sub-Article 5.5 Acquisition Service
• Delete sub-article 5.18 Temporary Help Services, at Appendix F, Optional Services, Article 5. Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Policy Application

This decision applies to all departments as defined in section 2 of the Financial Administration Act (including the Canadian Forces) and to crown procurement contracts subject to the Government Contracts Regulations and the Treasury Board Contracting Policy.

For further information please contact: Treasury Board Secretariat at (613) 957-0517 or by fax at (613) 957-2405.

Blair M. James
Executive Director
Asset and Acquired Services Directorate