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

2. 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.
What the Cooperative is and isn’t i.e. not a legal entity, not an office with staff, what it is – is buyers from each of the participating agencies working together to share contracts in order to promote efficiencies.

3. Examples of Shared Contracts which 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

4. 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

5. Regional and Municipal Governments
Regional Government
Region of Waterloo County of Brant
Municipal Government agencies include:
City of Brantford Township of North Dumfries
City of Cambridge Township of Wilmot
City of Kitchener Township of Wellesley
City of Waterloo Township of Woolwich
Purchases for regional governments include items for: emergency medical services, housing, public health, social services, long term care facilities, regional roads, waste water treatment, landfill, transit, airport, provincial offenses administration, regional libraries
Purchases for municipalities include items for: cemeteries, arenas, community centers, pools, fire, utilities – gas and water, parking, municipal roads

6. 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)
Purchases include: communication devices, audio/visual equipment, custodial supplies, arts supplies, locks & keys, paints, safety supplies, science/lab supplies, computers, computer supplies, library equipment/supplies, stationery, athletic equipment/supplies, automotive parts & maintenance, apparel, vehicles, residence /office furniture, photographic

7. 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
Purchases for these agencies include: building maintenance, parks and recreation, road repairs, dams and gauge stations, water monitoring equipment, library equipment/supplies, vehicles, stationery supplies, computer supplies

8. 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.

9. Dollar Thresholds for when Bid Opportunities are Advertised
Greater then $100,000
Region of Waterloo City of Cambridge
Waterloo Region District School Board Cambridge Public Library
Waterloo Public Library Waterloo North Hydro
Waterloo Regional Police Service Conestoga College
Waterloo Catholic District School Board Upper Grand District School Board Wilfrid Laurier University
University of Waterloo
Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Center
Student Transportation Services (div. of WRDSB / WCDSB)
Greater then $75,000
Grand River Conservation Authority
Greater then $50,000
Township of Wilmot Township of Wellesley Township of Woolwich

10. Dollar Thresholds for when Bid Opportunities are Advertised
Greater then $25,000
Brant County
City of Brantford
Greater then $20,000
City of Kitchener
City of Waterloo
Greater then $10,000
Township of North Dumfries
What happens to the spend below the advertised threshold?
Most participating agencies encourage staff to gather three informal quotes
and the award decision is then made at the Division level

11. 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 Wilmot
City of Kitchener Township of Wellesley
City of Waterloo Township of Woolwich
Conestoga College Grand River Conservation Authority
Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Center
Links to all of these websites are on the GRCPG website

12. Where to find bid opportunities?
Ontario Public Buyers Association website
Region of Waterloo City of Cambridge City of Waterloo
Need to know all agencies that utilize the opba website

13. Where to find bid opportunities?
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo Region District School Board
Cambridge Public Library
Student Transportation Services (div. of WRDSB / WCDSB)
University of Waterloo
Upper Grand School Board
Waterloo Catholic District School Board

14. MERX

15. Biddingo www.biddingo.com

16. Need further contact information? Visit the website!