with the University

Procurement policy

Broader Public Sector Directive (BPS)

The Finance Office is responsible for the acquisition of quality goods and services in support of the goals and mission of OCAD University (“OCAD U” or “the University”). The purchasing process, as outlined here, is administered in accordance with this directive and its related policies, unless otherwise delegated by the Board of Governors, the President, or the Vice-President, Finance & Administration. 

The Ontario Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive was issued by Management Board of Cabinet, effective April 1, 2011. This Directive applies to all designated broader public sector organizations as provided for under section 12 of the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010. The purpose of the Directive is “to ensure that publicly funded goods and services, including construction, consulting services, and information technology, are acquired by BPS organizations through a process that is open, fair and transparent; to outline responsibilities of BPS organizations throughout each stage of the procurement process, and to ensure that procurement processes are managed consistently throughout the BPS.

Procurement policy

OCAD University is a covered entity and must conduct its procurement in compliance with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), a pan-Canada (domestic) trade agreement effective July 1, 2017. The University is also a covered entity under the Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement (OQTCA) effective November 2007, a bi-lateral trade agreement between Ontario and Quebec. In addition, the University is a covered entity under the new Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) which came into force on September 21, 2017. 

This policy governs the acquisition of goods and services and construction and renovation work with University funds from all sources, including the operating, research, capital and ancillary funds and all other funds held in trust, at its disposal. In addition to applicable procurement legislation and regulation, as recognized by the Directive, the University is also bound by requirements of funding agencies, to the extent that those requirements comply with applicable procurement legislation and regulation.

Approval authority schedule

Broader Public Sector Directive (BPS)

Broader Public Sector Directive (BPS)

As a Broader Public Sector institution, OCAD University is legally required to engage in competitive procurement. This requirement is outlined in the University’s Procurement policy, Ontario’s Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive, and other relevant trade agreements.


BPS Procurement Directive 2023 [pdf] 

OCADU Procurement Policy [pdf]

Cooperative procurement

As a Broader Public Sector (BPS) organization, the University can take advantage of additional collaborative arrangements through the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM), the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (MPBSD) or Kinetic GPO.

Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM)

OCAD University is a member of the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM).

OECM is a not-for-profit group sourcing partner for Ontario’s education sector, broader public sector, and other not-for-profit organizations.  OECM contract with innovative, reputable suppliers to offer a comprehensive choice of quality products and services, to generate significant savings for our institution.  OECM is funded through the OntarioBuys initiative of the Ministry of Finance.

https://oecm.ca/

Kinetic GPO

OCAD University is a member of Kinetic GPO which is a cooperative purchasing organization established for Broader Public Sector and MASH entities across Canada.  The specific purpose of Kinetic GPO is reducing procurement cost by leveraging the purchasing power of group buying.

https://www.kineticgpo.ca/kinetic-gpo-solicitations.html

 

Trade agreements

The Ontario government has been working with the federal government, provinces, and territories to build stronger ties with trading partners through the negotiation of agreements that remove barriers to trade and investment. As a covered entity, the OCAD University is responsible for compliance with procurement-related commitments in the relevant chapters of the CFTA (Chapter 5 – Government Procurement), CETA (Chapter 19 – Government Procurement), and the OQCTA (Chapter 9 – Public Procurement).

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

In effect as of July 1st, 2017, this domestic (inter-provincial) trade agreement replaced the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and promotes open procurement practices among public sector organizations.

The OCAD University threshold for open competitive bids is $121,200 for goods, services, and construction. However, under the CFTA the thresholds are $ 133,800 for goods and services, and $334,400 for construction.

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

In effect as of September 21st, 2017, this international trade agreement expands the opportunities for suppliers in the European Union (EU) to bid on public procurements.

While the OCAD University threshold for open competitive bids is $121,200 for goods, services and construction, EU bidders may be considered when goods, services and construction are estimated at the values applicable under CETA: $353,300 for goods, $365,700 for services, and $8,800,000 for construction.

Note: These values will be adjusted for inflation every 2 years. Revised thresholds will be posted by the federal government.

 

The Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement (OQTCA)

This is a bi-lateral trade agreement between Ontario and Quebec and aligns with the CFTA. The open competitive bid thresholds under the OQTCA for goods, services and construction are the same as those stipulated by the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive and the University Procurement Policy including construction. This threshold is set at $121,200.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) became law on June 13, 2005. Under this landmark legislation the AODA aims to make Ontario accessible by 2025 through the development, implementation, and enforcement of standards to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living.

Public sector organizations must include accessibility criteria in their processes for buying and acquiring goods, services, and facilities. This means considering accessibility, where possible, along with other criteria like the quality and cost of the items as well as incorporating accessible design and features where possible.

The standards apply to private and public sector organizations across Ontario.  Under the AODA, Ontario universities are identified as “large designated public sector organizations”.  As such, Universities are required to “incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so.”  (O. Reg. 191/11, s 5(1); O. Reg. 413/12, s. 4(1).).