Updates to the Public Procurement Regulations
On Monday, June 1, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced two amendments to the Public Procurement Regulations. One amendment is to mandate a provincial supplier preference provision. The other was an increase to the thresholds at which an open call is required.
The amendment to implement a provincial supplier preference provision mandates an allowance of ten per cent for provincial suppliers for all procurements below the new thresholds. Provincial suppliers are suppliers with a place of business in Newfoundland and Labrador. This change is effective immediately. If you have any questions please contact Deanne Piercey, associate director, or Keith Field, manager, in the Strategic Procurement office.
With regard to the threshold amendment, public bodies may still issue an open call for goods, services and public works below the new prescribed thresholds. The announced changes increase thresholds from $10,000 for goods and $50,000 for services to $105,700 for both, and from $100,000 for public works to $264,200. Memorial is considering how it may implement these changes to Policies and Procedures and a working group will consult with key stakeholders and will be making a recommendation to Vice-President Council in July.
In the interim, the university will continue to follow the existing purchasing procedures. Also at this time, if there are circumstances in which it is not advantageous to issue an open call for bids, please contact the Strategic Procurement office of the Department of Financial and Administrative Services.
The university is committed to ensuring procurement of goods and services provides the best value to the university and is undertaken in an open, competitive, ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sound manner while remaining in compliance with legislation.