Overview
The Government of Alberta procures billions of dollars in goods, services and construction every year.
Alberta procurements adheres to the principles stated in the Procurement Accountability Framework.
The Procurement Accountability Framework has been developed to:
- reinforce fairness, transparency and integrity in the procurement process
- add rigour and accountability to ministry processes
- drive consistency and discipline in contracting
- contain appropriate controls and a shared set of values and ethics
The procurement of goods and construction has been assigned to certain government departments. Goods starting at $10,000 are procured by Procurement Services within Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. Construction starting at $100,000 is procured mostly by Infrastructure and Transportation and Economic Corridors. This allows for:
- greater buying power
- reduced duplication
- improved efficiency
- development of subject matter experts
- standardization of tools and processes
The procurement of services is performed by each ministry to provide flexibility to meet the unique needs of the programs and services they deliver to Albertans.
Below is a 5-year average of government spending.
Table 1. Average government spending on procurement
| Category | Average spend | Authority and accountability |
|---|---|---|
| Goods | $575 Million | Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction (low value goods delegated to ministries) |
| Services | $1.685 Billion | Ministries are responsible for their own service requirements |
| Construction | $2.502 Billion | Infrastructure and Transportation and Economic Corridors |
The outcomes of any procurement of goods, services or construction are to:
- meet business needs and objectives for each Ministry
- ensure equal and fair access to government procurements is provided to qualified vendors, suppliers and contractors
- demonstrate best value to the government for each procurement
- produce appropriate documentation
- meet legislative, policy, and trade agreement requirements
Procurement law
Procurement law in Alberta gives public entities such as governments, publicly funded academic institutions and school boards, a legal framework to shape their policies, and is supported by:
- trade agreements
- acts
- government guidelines and practices
These laws and trade agreements ensure that Alberta businesses are treated fairly when selling to governments inside and outside of Canada.
Executive Council is responsible for negotiating domestic trade agreements in Alberta. They also ensure compliance by public bodies covered by trade agreements.
The Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction is responsible for:
- administering and implementing trade agreement rules for purchasing goods, services and construction
- interpreting procurement provisions in trade agreements
- providing information to businesses regarding trade agreements and how to do business with the Alberta government
For more information, see Alberta trade agreements.
Alberta Purchasing Connection
The Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC) is an easy-to-use tool that lets public and private sector users manage, advertise, distribute, and download public sector purchasing opportunities for goods, services, and construction in Alberta. With APC, purchasers advertise opportunities for tender and suppliers find opportunities to sell their products or services.
The Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction (SARTR) is leading a project team to modernize the APC – Alberta’s electronic tendering site. The anticipated launch date is June 2024. Key communications regarding change activities have been sent to both buyers entities and active suppliers in the systems. If you have not received communications regarding the modernization project and would like to stay informed, contact [email protected].
1GX
1GX (One Government Experience) is a suite of business applications that make it easier to do business with government. Suppliers can use it to bid, receive orders, invoice, and receive payment for opportunities listed on APC.
For support, contact 1GX Supplier Help at:
Phone: 780-643-0150
Email: [email protected]
Submit a bid
Procurement Services encourages competition whenever possible, and awards a contract based on the lowest or most cost-effective response.
The majority of Procurement Services’ acquisitions are posted on the Government of Alberta's electronic tendering system, Alberta Purchasing Connection. Suppliers should obtain solicitation documents from APC or 1GX to ensure that they receive updates to the documents in a timely manner.
If an opportunity notice contains a link to 1GX, suppliers will need to be registered (at no cost) in Ariba Discovery to view and download the full solicitation documents.
For more information about APC, see the Electronic tendering system section.
For more information about the 1GX and Ariba Discovery, see the 1GX page.
Step 1. Prepare a bid
Suppliers must agree to all of the terms and conditions of each solicitation. The Procurement Service's standard terms and conditions are posted on APC or stated within the solicitation document. The solicitation document and contract represent the legal commitments between the supplier and the Government of Alberta. It is important that suppliers follow the instructions in the solicitation document as it may also allow the response to be prepared and entered into 1GX.
Names, makes and models
Manufacturers' names or models may be used to describe an item in a solicitation. However, it is not meant to be restrictive, unless otherwise stated. It is meant to give the supplier an idea of the type of item being purchased. If a supplier quotes a different make/model, it must be clearly stated in their response. Manufacturers' specification sheets and literature must be provided by the supplier to show that the item they are quoting meets the minimum requirements. The supplier may have to provide a demonstration and/or samples to test if requested.
Delivery
Suppliers' pricing must include all costs to complete delivery of the goods to the destination stated in the solicitation document, unless otherwise stated. The supplier is responsible for the goods in transit.
Step 2. Submit a bid
Instructions for submitting a bid are provided in the solicitation notice. Bid opportunities can be found through the Alberta Purchasing Connection.
The response date, time and location will be indicated within the solicitation document. Please refer to each document individually for submission details.
All responses must be received on or before the closing date and time, at the location indicated within the solicitation document, or the response will be rejected.
Step 3. After you submit
Responses are opened immediately following the closing date and time included in a competition.
How contracts are awarded
After evaluating bids, Procurement Services will issue a contract to the successful supplier.
The name of the successful supplier, award date, and the contracted prices will be available on the Alberta Purchasing Connection following the contract award.
Unsuccessful suppliers will be debriefed by Procurement Services, upon request.
The solicitation will specify if the award will be made to one or more suppliers.
Contract agreements
Contracts are binding legal agreements between the Government of Alberta and the supplier. Goods and services must be supplied as specified in the contract. Changes to any contract issued by Procurement Services are invalid unless authorized by Procurement Services prior to the goods or services being delivered. Any change to a contract will be made by a contract amendment issued by Procurement Services.
Suppliers should not supply goods or services to Government of Alberta departments, unless a purchase order number is provided or the Government's Procurement Card is used for the purchase.
Trade agreement thresholds
The following are trade agreement thresholds by agreement and category, from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025
The CPTPP, WTO GPA. CETA and TCA thresholds are based on SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and are recalculated every 2 years. The CFTA is also recalculated every 2 years.
MASH includes any corporation or entity owned/controlled by a MASH (municipalities, publicly-funded academic/health/social service entities and school boards) entity.
Crown corporations include Crown corporations, provincial corporations, commercial enterprises, and other entities owned/controlled by the party (Government of Alberta) through ownership interest.
Alberta public entities must openly compete procurement opportunities at or above the NWPTA thresholds.
New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA)
Table 1. NWPTA thresholds
| Goods | Services | Construction | Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministries | 10,000 | 75,000 | 100,000 | Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba |
| MASH | 75,000 | 75,000 | 200,000 | |
| Crown | 25,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Table 2. CFTA thresholds
| Goods | Services | Construction | Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministries | 33,400 | 133,800 | 133,800 | Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon |
| MASH | 133,800 | 133,800 | 334,400 | |
| Crown | 668,800 | 668,800 | 6,685,000 |
Canada-European Union Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA)
Table 3. CETA thresholds
| Goods | Services | Construction | Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial ministries | 353,300 | 353,300 | 8,800,000 | Canada and the countries of the European Union |
| MASH | 353,300 | 353,300 | 8,800,000 | |
| Provincial Crown* | 627,200 | 627,200 | 8,800,000 |
*Procurement with any of the following core activities is subject to a threshold of $706,700 for goods and services and $8,800,000 for construction:
- provision of airport facilities to carriers
- ports (maritime and inland)
- production, transport or distribution of drinking water, electricity, gas or heat
- treatment of wastewater
- public transportation (railway, tramway, trolley bus, bus, cable)
Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA)
Table 4. Canada-UK TCA thresholds
| Goods | Services | Construction | Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial ministries | 353,300 | 353,300 | 8,800,000 | Canada and the countries of the United Kingdom |
| MASH | 353,300 | 353,300 | 8,800,000 | |
| Provincial Crown* | 627,200 | 627,200 | 8,800,000 |
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Table 5. CPTPP thresholds
| Goods | Services | Construction | Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial Ministries | 627,200 | 627,200 | 8,800,000 | Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam |
| MASH | Not covered | |||
| Provincial Crown | Not covered | |||
World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO GPA)
Table 6. WTO GPA thresholds
| Goods | Services | Construction | Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial Ministries | 627,200 | 627,200 | 8,800,000 | Canada and 49 countries, including the countries of the European Union |
| MASH | Not covered | |||
| Provincial Other Entities | Not covered | |||
Electronic tendering systems
The Alberta Purchasing Connection gives procurement purchasers a user-friendly tool for posting opportunities and solicitation documents.
The APC is Alberta's official electronic tendering system. It is used to advertise and distribute solicitation documents from the Government of Alberta and other public sector organizations, such as the MASH sector, without cost to suppliers, vendors or purchasers.
Suppliers may bid on any new Government of Alberta opportunities posted in APC or 1GX. Please read each notice for specific instructions on how to respond.
Suppliers should obtain solicitation documents from APC or 1GX to ensure that they receive updates in a timely manner.
Contact the Government of Alberta Service Desk:
Phone: 780-427-1GoA (1462)
Toll free 1-888-427-1GoA (1462)
Self-registration and administration
Suppliers self-register in APC or in 1GX the first time they want to download a purchasing opportunity document. Administration tools are available for users to maintain their IDs in APC. Suppliers who choose not to register can still search for and view opportunities.
Help and training
Suppliers have access to a variety of APC help and information tools on using the system. These tools include a help system, FAQ section, training documentation and a multimedia training application.
Tools are also available for 1GX.
Tracking of interested suppliers
APC can track, display and provide a report on suppliers and vendors who have downloaded a particular opportunity.
Past awards
Suppliers and can view their historical use of APC as a report (for example, opportunities downloaded and opportunities awarded).
Canadian tendering systems
Most provincial and territorial jurisdictions from across Canada are now posting their procurement opportunities on Alberta Purchasing Connection.
Contact
Connect with Procurement Services:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]
Find other procurement offices in the Government of Alberta.