General Procurement Policies

Procurement Services does the following:

• Adheres to the principles of Alberta’s procurement-related trade obligations under the pan-Canadian Agreement on Internal Trade, the BC-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement and the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (suppliers are eligible to compete for government business regardless of geographic location)
  
  
• Strives for economy and efficiency in purchasing goods and associated services on behalf of Government of Alberta departments 

Purchases made on behalf of departments are generally exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Suppliers must not include the GST/HST in their prices, unless otherwise specified in the solicitation document.

Standing offers are established by Corporate Purchasing Section as required. A standing offer is a supply arrangement that enables departments to order goods directly from suppliers over a specific period of time at prescribed prices and terms and conditions.

Departments may purchase goods valued at up to $10,000 per transaction directly from suppliers using a Purchase Order, or the Government Procurement Card. If an emergency exists, purchases over $10,000 may also be made directly by departments. There is no dollar limit on departmental purchases off standing offers established by the Corporate Purchasing Section.