TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
The Government Purchasing Agency (Agency) is the central procurement unit for the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador and is responsible for purchasing more than $250 million in goods
and services annually on behalf of provincial departments and agencies. The Government Purchasing
Agency is further responsible for the Central Purchasing Authority which coordinates and
administers a system of high volume procurement on behalf of government funded bodies.
Any individual, company or organization - regardless of size - that wants to expand its opportunities
for sales is a potential supplier of government requirements. The business community should be
aware of the purchasing policies and practices of the provincial government in the areas of tendering,
security and evaluation of bids and opportunities available through public sector procurement.
As the largest buying unit in the public sector, the Government Purchasing Agency is also
responsible for:
• the application and administration of the Public Tender Act in the acquisition of
goods and services;
• the administration of the corporate charge card system on behalf of government
departments;
• the disposal of crown assets;
• the importation of goods through Canada Customs;
• the coordination of advertising for all government departments;
• the application and administration of Intergovernmental Procurement Agreements;
• the administration of electronic tendering.
This publication provides an overview of the purchasing procedures of the Agency and information
on competing for public sector business. The staff of the Agency has extensive knowledge of
procurement matters, and offers guidance to suppliers interested in selling to the provincial
government.
PUBLIC TENDER ACT
The Government Purchasing Agency functions under the legislative provisions of the Public Tender
Act. The Act defines the legislative framework within which the Agency operates. The main goal of
the public tender legislation is to ensure procurement is conducted in an open and competitive
environment while maintaining fair and equitable opportunities for suppliers to compete for
government business.
Competitive Bidding
The Government Purchasing Agency purchases all requirements possible on a competitive basis, in
accordance with the Public Tender Act. The general exceptions are listed in Sections 3 and 4 of this
Act and include the following:
• Emergency - procurement within time-frame constraints that does not permit normal
purchasing procedures to be used, and where delayed delivery would be injurious to
the public interest.
• Sole source - the dealer, supplier or contractor providing the work or acquisition is
the only source of that work or acquisition.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS
The Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador’s involvement with intergovernmental procurement
agreements has become a valuable means of reducing trade barriers among
governments. The purpose of implementing trade agreements is to establish
a framework that will ensure equal access to procurement for all
suppliers. These agreements contribute to a reduction in purchasing costs
and the development of a strong economy.
Atlantic Procurement Agreement
In September, 1992, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador joined the Maritime provinces to
sign The Atlantic Procurement Agreement. The Agreement outlines the conditions under which the
four Atlantic governments will operate in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination among the
participating governments.
Information regarding this agreement may be obtained by contacting the Government Purchasing
Agency or be viewing
www.gpa.gov.nl.ca/APA.stm
Agreement on Internal Trade
On July 18, 1994, the Agreement on Internal Trade was signed by all Canadian Provinces,
Territories and the Federal Government. Effective July 1,1995, this agreement resolves to promote
an open, efficient and stable domestic market for long-term job creation, economic growth and
stability while enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian business.
Information regarding this agreement may be obtained by contacting the Government Purchasing
Agency or by viewing
www.gpa.gov.nl.ca/AgreementonInternalTrade/
BID OPPORTUNITIES
Eligibility
The requirements of government departments and agencies are extremely diverse, the Government
Purchasing Agency buys many products and services - ranging from marine ferry services to
computer systems, veterinary drugs to office furnishings, farm machinery to aircraft components.
Every business and individual supplying goods and services that government may require has the
opportunity to compete for government business.
Informing Suppliers of Bid Opportunities
The Public Tender Act requires tender calls to be publicly
advertised for most goods and services acquisitions with a value exceeding
$10,000. In an effort to solicit bids from suppliers, acquisitions valued at
$2,500 and greater are advertised and made available at no cost through the
Government Purchasing Agency’s website. This site may be accessed by logging on
to
www.gpa.gov.nl.ca.For acquisitions less than $2,500, quotations are invited through a written request for quotation or
via telephone.
Terms and Conditions
Bidders should ensure that they are familiar with all of the terms and conditions applicable to an
invitation to bid, including the standard terms and conditions for purchasing, which are available by
contacting the Government Purchasing Agency or by viewing
www.gpa.gov.nl.ca/termsandconditions
CONTRACT AWARDS
When bids are received from a number of suppliers, it is assumed that market forces have held prices
and profits to reasonable levels. Bids are evaluated to determine the lowest prices for the items
meeting specifications, to verify acceptable delivery conditions and dates and to identify the
preferred bidder(s). In case of highly technical requirements, bids may be referred to the customer
department for a recommendation, or an outside consultant may be asked to provide an evaluation.
The ultimate responsibility, however, for the award of any tender/quotation invited by the
Government Purchasing Agency rests with the Agency.
STANDING OFFER AGREEMENTS
Standing Offer Agreements are contracts issued for specified periods of time. These contracts enable
departments and agencies to order goods and services directly from suppliers at both prearranged
prices and delivery conditions. Standing Offer Agreements cover a wide variety of items - fuels,
paints, tires, furniture, office equipment - and are normally tendered annually.
PAYMENT OF INVOICES
Prompt payment to suppliers depends to a large extent upon the following:
• receipt of goods and/or services in satisfactory condition by the customer
department/agency.
• receipt of an official invoice by the appropriate division for the goods and /or services
at the prices quoted on the relevant purchase order or contract. It is imperative that
purchase order numbers are stated on all invoices.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the customer department/agency to process invoices for
payment.
THE CENTRAL PURCHASING AUTHORITY
The Central Purchasing Authority (CPA) operates as a separate entity within the Government
Purchasing Agency and was established to coordinate and administer a system of high volume
procurement on behalf of all government-funded bodies. The mandate of CPA incorporates two
primary objectives:
• the realization of cost savings as a result of a centralized procurement system;
• the identification of business development opportunities associated with government
procurement.
CPA is directed by a board of management consisting of representation from government-funded
bodies. The board actively participates in all major decisions affecting the identification of potential
contract commodities, tendering of requirements and the awarding of contracts.
CPA operates under the concept of cooperative purchasing whereby government-funded bodies are
solicited for purchasing requirements. Specific commodities are identified for consolidation into
appropriate tender invitations and contracts are awarded to preferred bidders. One tender is issued
by CPA for each commodity or set of commodities, and one or more contracts may be awarded for
each tender. Each government-funded body is then responsible for the remaining procurement
functions: issuing purchase orders and/or establishing user contracts, expediting, receiving,
inspection, warehousing, and processing of payment.
For further information or a listing of contracts in place, please contact the Central Purchasing
Authority.
ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AGENCY
30 STRAWBERRY MARSH ROAD
ST. JOHN’S, NL
A1B 4R4
General Inquiries (709)729-3348
Fax (709)729-5817
Email: Tenders@gov.nl.ca
CENTRAL PURCHASING AUTHORITY
30 STRAWBERRY MARSH ROAD
ST. JOHN’S, NL
A1B 4R4
General Inquiries (709)729-6994
Fax (709)729-1018
E-Mail: CentralPurchasingAuthority@gov.nl.ca
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