Standing Offers
A standing offer is not a contract. It is an offer from a potential supplier to provide goods and/or services at pre-arranged prices, under set terms and conditions, when and if required. No contract exists until the government issues an order or "call-up" against the standing offer and there is no actual obligation, by the government, to purchase until that time.
Standing offers are used to meet recurring needs. Common products purchased this way include food, fuel, pharmaceutical and plumbing supplies, tires and tubes, stationery, office equipment and electronic data processing equipment. Common services include repair and overhaul, and temporary help services.
Standing offers are usually considered when:
Standing offers are most suited to goods or services that can be clearly defined to allow suppliers to offer firm pricing. Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) sets up standing offers when it is determined that this is the best method of supply. Departments may also establish their own standing offers.
Most requests for Standing Offers with an estimated value of $25 000 or more are advertised on MERXTM (see the document MERX - Electronic Tendering Service). Some standing offers with an estimated value below $25 000 are tendered using the department's source lists (see the document Registering as a Supplier).
Supply Arrangements
Supply arrangements are non-binding agreements between PWGSC and suppliers to provide a range of goods or, more commonly, services on an "as required" basis. They are lists of qualified suppliers identified as potential sources from which departments can obtain firm price quotations on specific requirements. Supply arrangements include a set of predetermined terms and conditions that will apply to any subsequent contracts.
Supply arrangements are used when goods or services are bought on a regular basis, but a standing offer is not suitable because of variables in the resulting call-ups (for example, varying methods/bases of payment; statement of work or commodity can't be adequately defined in advance). Individual requirements are either tendered competitively or negotiated based on a specific scope of work.
For more information about standing offers or supply arrangements, contact Business Access Canada or your local PWGSC office.
New Brunswick Contact(s):
New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Division
Ms.
Danielle
Babineau
Client/Supplier Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Unit 108, Lobby C, 1st Floor
1045 Main Street
Moncton, New Brunswick
E1C 1H1
Telephone: 506-851-3467
Fax: 506-851-6759
E-mail: danielle.babineau@pwgsc.gc.ca
Web site:
http://contractscanada.gc.ca/en/index.html