Doing Business with Government March 22, 2011Holiday Inn, Kitchener

Who is the Grand River Cooperative Procurement Group?

The Grand River Cooperative Procurement Group (GRCPG) represents tax-supported institutions and commissions within and around the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

The intent of the cooperative is to maximize value for the taxpayer by working together to promote efficiency and economy in the areas of purchasing and materials management through enhanced communication tools, process standardization and resource sharing between the participating agencies

Together we purchase more then $30 million dollars in shared contracts.

Examples of Shared Contractswhich are currently cooperatively purchased

Cleaning Supplies Photocopiers Toner Cartridges Nursery Sod Fuel Road Salt Electrical Supplies First Aid Supplies Stationery Pool Chemicals

Document Destruction Water Meters Traffic Paint Manhole/ Catch basin Covers Sod Fertilizer Paper Propane Sign Blanks

We are Diverse and Driven!

Currently, the GRCPG has 26 participating agencies.

The GRCPG agencies also collaborate with the Guelph Cooperative and the Halton Cooperative Purchasing Group.

The Cooperative has identified key components to its strategic plan including working to increase participation, coordination and leadership in contracts by promoting communication between the agencies and identifying possible contract opportunities as well as facilitating educational opportunities such as hosting the 2011 Ontario Public Buyers Conference

Regional and Municipal Governments

Regional Government Region of Waterloo County of Brant

Municipal Government agencies include:City of Brantford Township of North DumfriesCity of Cambridge Township of WilmotCity of Kitchener Township of WellesleyCity of Waterloo Township of Woolwich

Academic Agencies

Conestoga College University of Waterloo Upper Grand District School Board (Guelph) Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) Student Transportation Services (div. of WRDSB / WCDSB)

Other agencies that are members of the GRCPG:

Cambridge Public Library Kitchener Public Library Waterloo Public Library Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro Electric Company Waterloo North Hydro Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Center (Kitchener) Hospice Wellington (Guelph) Grand River Conservation Authority (Cambridge) Waterloo Regional Police Service

Overview of Purchasing Bylaws and Guidelines

The participating agencies are governed by various boards / councils / trustees which develop purchasing bylaws and guidelines which govern how each agency purchases.

Bylaws and policies direct how and when bid opportunities are advertised.

When a need is identified, by more then two agencies, which can be a cooperative purchase (shared contract), one agency will be designated as the Lead agency. The Lead agency is the organization that will develop and advertise the bid opportunity.

Dollar Thresholds for when Bid Opportunities are Advertised

Greater then $100,000Region of Waterloo City of Cambridge Waterloo Region District School Board Cambridge Public LibraryWaterloo Public Library Waterloo North Hydro

Waterloo Regional Police Service Conestoga CollegeWaterloo Catholic District School Board Upper Grand District School Board Wilfrid Laurier University University of WaterlooWaterloo Wellington Community Care Access CenterStudent Transportation Services (div. of WRDSB / WCDSB)

Greater then $75,000Grand River Conservation Authority

Greater then $50,000Township of Wilmot Township of Wellesley Township of Woolwich

Dollar Thresholds for when Bid Opportunities are Advertised

Greater then $25,000Brant CountyCity of Brantford

Greater then $20,000City of KitchenerCity of Waterloo

Greater then $10,000Township of North Dumfries

What happens to the spend below the advertised threshold?Most participating agencies encourage staff to gather three informal quotesand the award decision is then made at the Division level

Where to find bid opportunities?

The following agencies post bid opportunities on their own websites:

Brant County Region of Waterloo City of Brantford Township of North Dumfries City of Cambridge Township of WilmotCity of Kitchener Township of WellesleyCity of Waterloo Township of WoolwichConestoga College Grand River Conservation AuthorityWaterloo Wellington Community Care Access Center

Links to all of these websites are on the GRCPG website www.grcpg.ca

Where to find bid opportunities?

Ontario Public Buyers Association website www.opba.ca Region of Waterloo City of Cambridge City of Waterloo

Where to find bid opportunities?

www.merx.caWilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo Region District School BoardCambridge Public Library

Student Transportation Services (div. of WRDSB / WCDSB)University of Waterloo

www.biddingo.comWaterloo Region District School Board

Upper Grand School BoardWaterloo Catholic District School Board

MERX www.merx.ca

Biddingo www.biddingo.com

Need further contact information?Visit the www.grcpg.ca website!