Memo to Vendors

Procurement update for vendors interested in procurement opportunities with DeafBlind Ontario Services:

Effective April 1, 2011, legislation requires compliance with the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive (BPSPD) by any entity or organization that receives in excess of 10 million dollars in provincial funding.

DeafBlind Ontario Services is considered a Broader Public Sector (BPS) organization and therefore must ensure its procurement practices are in compliance to the BPSPD.

Effective, April 1, 2014, DeafBlind Ontario Services’ procurement practices and processes are in compliance with the Directive.

In accordance to the BPSPD, all Bid and Tender opportunities with DeafBlind Ontario Services are posted online on the Biddingo website. Suppliers are recommended to review the website for ongoing opportunities.

Supply Chain Code of Ethics

Goal: To ensure an ethical, professional and accountable supply chain.

I1.Personal Integrity and Professionalism

Individuals involved with supply chain activities must act, and be seen to act, with integrity and professionalism. Honesty, care and due diligence must be integral to all supply chain activities within and between Broader Public Sector (BPS) organizations, suppliers and other stakeholders. Respect must be demonstrated for each other and for the environment. Confidential information must be safeguarded. Participants must not engage in any activity that may create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest, such as accepting gifts or favours, providing preferential treatment, or publicly endorsing suppliers or products.

II2.Accountability and Transparency

Supply chain activities must be open and accountable. In particular, contracting and purchasing activities must be fair, transparent and conducted with a view to obtaining the best value for public money.  All participants must ensure that public sector resources are used in a responsible, efficient and effective manner.

III3. Compliance and Continuous Improvement

Individuals involved with purchasing or other supply chain activities must comply with this Code of Ethics and the laws of Canada and Ontario. These individuals should continuously work to improve supply chain policies and procedures, to improve their supply chain knowledge and skill levels, and to share best practices within the organization.

Approved by the Finance Committee: January 28, 2014

Approved by the Board of Directors: February 4, 2014

Expenses/Perquisites – Broader Public Sector Accountability

DeafBlind Ontario Services is designated as a broader public sector organization and, as such, complies with the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act (BPSAA) and related Directives. This includes making its rules and practices regarding expenses and perquisites available to the public on its website.

Expense Rules 

1. Members of DeafBlind Ontario Services’ volunteer Board of Directors may be remunerated only for reasonable expenses they incur in the performance of their duties.
2. DeafBlind Ontario Services’ employees will be paid/reimbursed for expenses that: are related to business, modest and appropriate, balance economy and efficiency of operations with a healthy and safe workplace, are supported by acceptable documentation, and are properly authorized in accordance with internal policies.
3. Hospitality (i.e. food, beverages, accommodation, transportation, and volunteer/member/staff recognition) is extended as economically as possible. Unless otherwise designated, hospitality expenses are not charged to public or donated funds.
4. All business expenses are subject to internal and external audit.
5. Click here to read Procedure 5.6.13: Reimbursement of Expenses.

Perquisites (a benefit enjoyed as a result of one’s job or position)

DeafBlind Ontario Services does not provide perquisites to any of its volunteers or employees.

If you have questions about DeafBlind Ontario Services policies and practices related to expenses and perquisites, please contact DeafBlind Ontario Services by phone at 1-855-340-3267, or by email at [email protected].

BPS Accountability

Click here to read Procedures 5.6.6 Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive and 5.6.7 Purchasing and Procurement.

For more information on BPS accountability, click on this link: Broader Public Sector Accountability