I have posted on our purchasing policy in the past since it is something that I get enquiries about. Recently, I was reminded that the City’s Purchasing Policy incorporates the Code of Ethics established by the Ontario Public Buyers Association. It helps explain the principles that underly our practices.
1. Open and Honest Dealings with Everyone Who is Involved in the Purchasing Process. This includes all businesses with which this agency contracts or from which it purchases goods and services, as well as all members of our staff and of the public who utilize the services of the purchasing department.
2. Fair and Impartial Award Recommendations for All Contracts and Tenders. This means that we do not extend preferential treatment to any vendor, including local companies. Not only is it against the law, it is not good business practice, since it limits fair and open competition for all vendors and is therefore a detriment to obtaining the best possible value for each tax dollar.
3. An Irreproachable Standard of Personal Integrity on the Part of All Those Designated as Purchasing Agents for this Agency. Absolutely no gifts or favours are accepted by the purchasing agents of this agency in return for business or the consideration of business. Also, the purchasing agents of this agency do not publicly endorse one company in order to give that company an advantage over others.
4. Cooperation With Other Public Agencies in Order to Obtain the Best Possible Value for Every Tax Dollar. This agency is a member of a cooperative purchasing group. Made up of several public agencies, this group pools its expertise and resources in order to practice good value analysis and to purchase goods and services in volume and save tax dollars.
5. Continuous Development of Purchasing Skills and Knowledge. All members of the purchasing department of this agency take advantage of the many opportunities provided by the Ontario Public Buyers Association to further their knowledge of good public purchasing principles and to maintain excellent skills
Filed under: Blog, Excellence in Municipal Governance
