The Public Procurement Agency is seeking input from Newfoundland and Labrador businesses to improve Public Procurement Regulations to ensure more benefits for local companies.
In June 2020, the agency introduced a local preference provision to the Public Procurement Regulations that requires a ten per cent discount to be added to a local bidder’s price when competing with bidders from outside of Newfoundland and Labrador for all procurements, to the maximum permitted under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
At the same time, the thresholds for an open call were increased to allow for more opportunities for public bodies to direct business to local companies through a limited call process.
The agency is now consulting with provincial businesses on ways to further improve the local preference provision to allow for more opportunities to direct business to local suppliers, which will strengthen the provincial economy.
The information gathered through this consultation will be used by the agency to ensure that the policy considers any potential impacts on local businesses.
Participants are asked to provide feedback on a variety of topics, including what tools government should use to enhance and improve local preference and the impact the these provisions may have on local businesses and the provincial economy.
The questionnaire is available at Engagenl.ca until Friday, July 23. In addition, written submissions are being accepted until Monday, August 9 by email to markdrover@gov.nl.ca or regular mail:
Mark Drover
Public Procurement Agency
30 Strawberry Marsh Road
St. John’s, NL A1B 4R4
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“Since our government established this policy, 35 contracts were awarded to local companies where they wouldn’t have been awarded before the policy was established. Now we are building on that. Hearing what businesses have to say will help us determine what those next steps will be to ensure more benefits for local companies.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency
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Learn more
News Release: Increased Procurement Thresholds Will Help Support Local Businesses
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Emily-Jane Gillingham
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca