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Purchasing

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Doing Business with the Region

Each year, the Regional Municipality of Durham makes significant investments in construction, goods, and services to support the Region’s growth and well-being. This guide is designed to help suppliers understand how the Region conducts its purchasing activities. While the information provided serves as a helpful overview, it is not intended to replace any official by-laws or procedures. Instead, it offers a simplified summary for easy reference. Formal policies and procedures are available upon request.

View the Guide to Doing Business with the Region

What We Buy

The Regional Municipality of Durham procures a wide range of goods and services, including but not limited to:

Public Works: Road, traffic, watermain, and sewer maintenance and materials.
Water & Wastewater: Water and sewage plant maintenance, chemicals, waste, and recycling.
Facilities & Infrastructure: Construction, repairs, maintenance, janitorial services, landscaping, snow clearing, and security systems.
Professional Services: Consulting in finance, business, medical, engineering, and architecture.
Technology: Computers, networks, software, phones, cellular and two-way radios.
Vehicles & Equipment: Fleet vehicles, parts, and services for Works and Durham Region Transit (DRT).
Medical & Health: Supplies and equipment for Paramedic Services, nursing, public health, dental, and laboratory needs.
Office & Administrative: Furniture, supplies, stationery, printing, promotional materials, and forms.
Utilities & Energy: Fuels, energy systems, and related storage and dispensing.
Food Services: Food, beverages, kitchen supplies, equipment, and catering.
Childcare: Daycare supplies and equipment.
Laundry Services: Equipment, maintenance, linens, and supplies for RDPS.
Logistics: Transportation, customs clearance, and moving services.
Workplace Essentials: Work clothing, uniforms, hardware, electrical, plumbing, and safety supplies.

Bid Opportunities for Region Projects

Durham Region uses the bids&tenders™ electronic bidding platform to post all bid opportunities. This leading e-bidding system makes it simple to review, register for, and submit bids for goods, services, and construction projects online.

With a registered account, you can:

Receive email notifications about new bid opportunities and addenda
Download bid documents
Submit and withdraw bids online
View bid results

If you are not already a bids&tenders™ subscriber, you have two options: purchase an annual subscription or use the pay-per-use model. You can also preview bid documents online before making a payment.

To access Durham Region’s bids&tenders™ page, click the button below.

View our current bidding opportunities

Public Notice of Participation in Cooperative Buying Groups

This posting is a public notice that the Region of Durham intends to participate in one or more procurements conducted by the following cooperative buying groups. Vendors are encouraged to access the websites linked below to participate in procurements that Durham Region may leverage in the future.

Purchasing Resources

Procurement By-law 16-20

Tenders and proposals will be called, received, evaluated, accepted and processed in accordance with the Purchasing By-law 16-2020 and tendering/proposal procedures.

Standard Terms and Conditions

The Regional Municipality of Durham’s Standard Terms and Conditions outline the legal and procedural requirements for all purchases made by the Region. This document ensures transparency, consistency, and accountability in our procurement process, and sets clear expectations for suppliers and contractors.

Debriefing of Request for Proposal

The debriefing process is to assure respondents that the Region has properly evaluated their proposal(s) and made the award determination in accordance with the RFP terms and conditions. The debriefing also provides feedback to respondents to assist them in improving future proposal submissions.

Vendor Performance Evaluation Policy

The Vendor Performance Evaluation Policy establishes a process that allows the Region to assess Vendor performance and, where appropriate, apply Corrective Measures identified in the Policy where Vendors fail to meet their contractual obligations.

Vendor Dispute Resolution Process

The vendor dispute resolution process is a mechanism that allows vendors to put forward concerns they have relating to the bidding process, and any other matter related to the procurement of goods and services, for review, and where appropriate for senior Finance management to implement changes.

Disqualified Vendor List

The Disqualified Vendor List contains the names of companies that are disqualified from performing work for the Region of Durham as per Purchasing By-law 16-2020. Companies who have been disqualified by the Region may not be engaged on any Region of Durham contract as a contractor or subcontractor.

Staffing Agency Guidelines and Agreements

The Staffing Agency Guidelines outline the Region’s expectations and procedures for working with temporary staffing agencies. They help ensure consistency, compliance, and quality in temporary staffing arrangements.

The Staffing Agency Agreement outlines the standard contractual terms for temporary staffing services with the Region. Agencies are expected to review and align with this agreement when providing temporary personnel.

Disposal of surplus equipment

Durham Region now sells surplus equipment though an online auction platform, rather than holding a single auction event. Items are listed and sold throughout the year as they become available.

To view current listings, please visit GovDeals for a complete list of items available.

Professional Affiliations

The Regional Municipality of Durham is committed to excellence in public procurement through collaboration, professional development, and adherence to industry best practices. Our participation in cooperative purchasing groups and professional associations helps us deliver value, transparency, and efficiency in our procurement processes. Learn more about our affiliations and partnerships below.

Durham Region Purchasing Cooperative

The Regional Municipality of Durham is a proud member of the Durham Purchasing Cooperative – a collaborative group of public sector organizations working together to issue bids collectively. Since many agencies require similar goods and services, combining their needs into a single bid process helps save time, reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

To learn more about how this cooperative works, please refer to the Durham Region Purchasing Cooperative Guide.

Durham Region Purchasing Cooperative Members

These are the members of the Durham Purchasing Cooperative:

Supply Chain Canada Association (SCCA)

Supply Chain Canada is the national association for supply chain professionals in Canada. It provides education, certification, and professional development, including the respected Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP™) designation. The organization supports members across various industries by promoting best practices, ethical standards, and innovation in supply chain management.

To learn more about Supply Chain Canada, please visit: Who We Are - Supply Chain Canada

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), also known as NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, is a leading professional association dedicated to advancing the public procurement profession across North America. NIGP’s mission is to develop, support, and promote public procurement as a vital function that ensures transparency, efficiency, and value in government purchasing.

To learn more about NIGP, please visit: About NIGP

Ontario Public Buyers Association

The Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) is a non-profit professional association that represents public procurement professionals across Ontario. It promotes ethical and effective public spending and supports excellence in procurement through education, certification programs, networking, and advocacy.

To learn more about the OPBA, please visit: About - Ontario Public Buyers Association