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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Contracting and Procurement

How we buy

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's contracting and procurement activities are decentralized. The department purchases goods directly from suppliers when the requirement is valued at $5,000 or less, in most cases, using acquisition cards (80% of the department's procurement activities). AAFC also uses standing offers established by PWGSC. For goods over $5,000 and where standing offers do not exist, the requirement is forwarded to PWGSC for processing.

For services less than $25,000, the requirement may be directed to one supplier according to the Government Contracts Regulation. However, if it is cost effective to do, competitive bids are invited.

For services requirements estimated at $25,000 or higher but under the NAFTA threshold ($84,000 - effective January 1, 2006), AAFC may use two methods of procurement. The first is by invitation to a number of bidders (minimum 3). The second method is advertising the requirement on MERX.

For services that are subject to the various trade agreements (NAFTA, AIT, WTO-AGP) the department advertises the requirement on MERX.

What we buy

The department purchases services such as professional, informatics and race patrol. AAFC also purchases computer equipment, scientific and technical equipment, measuring, controlling and laboratory instruments, and office supplies.

AAFC major commodities by specific categories for fiscal year 1996/1997

Key Contact:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Lorraine Burnett
Manager, Policy, Analysis and Reporting
Materiel Management
Corporate Services Branch
Telephone: (613) 715-5327
E-Mail: burnettl@agr.ca