|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Procurement: The Backbone of Municipal Success
An Article by OPBA Chair, Victoria Mirlocca
Featured in the April Issue of Municipal World |
|
|
|
We’re proud to share that OPBA Chair, Victoria Mirlocca, has contributed a powerful piece to the April edition of Municipal World, focused on the theme of procurement. In her article, “Strategic Procurement: The Backbone of Municipal Success,” Victoria explores how public procurement plays a pivotal role in delivering value, managing risk, and supporting long-term community outcomes.
Her insights highlight the strategic importance of procurement in achieving municipal goals—showing that behind every successful infrastructure project, public service, or innovation, there’s a procurement professional helping make it happen.
👉 Read the full article here
|
|
 |
|
Victoria Mirlocca
Chair, Board
of Directors, OPBA |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
National Volunteer Week | April 27 – May 3
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible board and committee volunteers at the Ontario Public Buyers Association.
Your expertise, time, and unwavering dedication are the driving force behind the programs and services that support our members. Whether you're sharing your professional insight, leading initiatives, or bringing positive energy to the table, you embody the true spirit of collaboration and community.
We’re proud to recognize and celebrate each of you for your generosity, creativity, and commitment. Your contributions inspire us and strengthen OPBA’s mission to serve with excellence.
Thank you for everything you do. Your impact is immeasurable.
With sincere appreciation,
The OPBA Staff Team
|
|
|
|
Strengthening Public Procurement through Strategic Partnerships
SPONSORED CONTENT |
|
|
|
Strong partnerships are essential to achieving effective public procurement outcomes. In the public sector, strategic collaboration among purchasing groups, government agencies, and key stakeholders fosters efficiency, compliance, and innovation—while generating greater value for buyers.
“Collaboration is the best opportunity to fully understand government priorities and policies. And it sets what the expectations are, in terms of what needs to be met from the government’s perspective,” says Ben Hamilton, OECM’s Vice President of Government Relations and Partnerships. |
| Read More |
|
|
|
|
|
Final Above & Beyond Winners for National Procurement Month |
|
|
|
Each March, during National Cooperative Procurement Month, the National Cooperative Procurement Partners Association presents the Above & Beyond Awards—a peer-nominated recognition celebrating individuals and teams who go the extra mile in public procurement.
What makes this award especially meaningful is that nominations come directly from colleagues and peers, representing all levels of procurement—whether it's an entry-level buyer, stockroom clerk, procurement manager, or CPO. Out of all the nominations received across Canada and the U.S., only 12 individuals and 3 teams are selected. Earning this recognition is truly a remarkable achievement. |
| Read More |
|
 |
|
Victoria D'Astice
Halton Region, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
Celebrating Excellence in Public Procurement: 2025 Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Recipients
Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Recipients
The OPBA would like to extend our deepest congratulations to the following individuals for successfully completing the Principles of Effective Public Procurement Program and obtaining their Principles Certificate:
• Nathalie Fiegen, City of Greater Sudbury
• Carol Gauthier, The Regional Municipality of Halton
• Jamila Holder, City of Barrie
• Khai Hoang, Metrolinx
• Rui Chen, ICES Central
• Tricia Erb, City of Stratford
• Mario MacGlashan, Region of Peel
• Rouen De Castro, Toronto Zoo
• Iustina Virginia Voinea, Town of Aurora
• Shaunna Fedora, Town of Halton Hills
• Katharyn Coristine, United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
|
|
|
 |
|
Celebrating March Procurement Month with OPBA!
March Procurement Month Recap: Continuing the Learning Journey
We’ve wrapped up OPBA’s weekly educational series! These sessions were designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of procurement professionals, and we hope you found them valuable.
• Week 1: Basics & Beyond: Exploring Evaluation Methodologies and Unique RFPs strategies
• Week 2: Transforming Government Procurement: Leveraging Category Management & Group Purchasing for Smarter Buying
• Week 3: Beyond the Basics: Advanced Strategies for Verifying References
• Week 4: Critical Thinking - A Critical Skill
You can find the session presentations and recordings on the OPBA member portal:
• Log in to the website
• Click on Resources (on the dashboard)
• Navigate to File Archive => Recordings and Presentations => Ignite Sessions
We’ll continue offering insightful sessions throughout the year. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to reach out to Wendy Gan at wendy@opba.ca.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Join the OPBA’s Mentoring Program
Sign up now to join Phase One of our Mentoring Program, where experienced professionals and those newer to public procurement connect to share ideas and knowledge. The program will pause for the spring/summer months, so if you'd like to be matched with a Mentor or Mentee, use the link below to sign up now. Phase Two will launch in the fall, providing additional opportunities to participate.
For any questions, contact us at members@opba.ca.
|
|
|
|
|
|
🌟 Member Spotlight – We Want to Feature You!
Do you or someone you know have a great story to share? We want to hear from you!
The Caveat Emptor e-newsletter is shining a light on the incredible public procurement professionals across our membership. Whether you're leading innovative projects, giving back to your community, mentoring others, or just have a unique perspective on the work we do—this is your time to shine.
Share your story or nominate a colleague to be featured in an upcoming Member Spotlight. Submissions can highlight professional achievements, career journeys, lessons learned, or personal passions that inspire your work.
📩 Submit your story or nomination to Serena Wilgress at swilgress@thebluemountains.ca.
Together, let’s shine a light on the great work happening across our membership. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
OECM Launches 3rd Generation EUC Agreement
OECM, Ontario’s trusted partner in collaborative strategic sourcing, proudly announces the launch of its third-generation End-User Computing (EUC) Products and Related Services Agreement. Since its initial introduction in 2012, the EUC Agreement has been instrumental in supporting Ontario’s Education, Municipal, and Broader Public Sector (BPS) customers.
Discover the benefits of the new EUC Agreement today at bit.ly/4hE6M9T
Contact Us
For more information, please contact OECM's dedicated Customer Support team via email at customersupport@oecm.ca.
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest OECM news and agreements.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Building Sustainability Goals in TTC’s Vehicle Procurement Process |
|
|
|
In the last ten years, sustainability has evolved from a buzz word to now, in the case of the TTC, forming part of our ambitious corporate plan. My team’s first foray into sustainability requirements in procurement, materialized through the procurement of our hybrid electric and electric buses and it all began with a very familiar question: “how do you evaluate sustainable requirements?” As with many procurement related questions, we found that there isn’t a “one size fits all solution” and that in some cases sustainability is a custom-made approach for every procurement.
Fleet procurement at the TTC represents a long-term investment towards providing a reliable service to our customers. In the case of vehicle procurements, the engineering team at the TTC incorporated equipment and vehicle features into the technical specifications in order to achieve the sustainability goals such as a hybrid electric or and electric propulsion system. Having clear technical specifications allowed the TTC to define quantifiable requirements to be evaluated as part of the procurement process. As we all know, it is important to define clear evaluation criteria and allow your procurement teams to provide feedback at the end of the process to those participants who were not successful.
|
| Read More |
|
 |
|
Renata Wojteczko
Director – Procurement and Category Management
Toronto Transit Commission |
|
|
|
|
|
Is Bid Repair Now Acceptable? |
|
|
|
Public procurement professionals know the heartbreak all too well: disqualifying a perfectly good bid over what often amounts to a bidder’s innocent oversight. A missing insurance certificate. An unverified bid bond. A checkbox left unticked.
As someone who has spent years in public procurement, I still remember the sting of rejecting a high-quality, competitive proposal—submitted by an incumbent supplier no less—simply because it didn’t include a proof of insurance document. Weeks of effort, pages of pricing and technical data, wiped away in a moment because of a missing attachment. For me it begged the question: how does this serve the public interest? Is rigid formal compliance really the hill we need to die on to protect procurement integrity?
|
| Read More |
|
 |
|
Lise Patry, LXM LAW LLP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
New Members
OPBA warmly welcomes the following new members:
• Jarred Dodd, Municipality of Meaford
• Dawn Lamontagne, City of Windsor
• Eric Thrower, Metrolinx |
| Read More |
|
|
 |
|
Start Saving in 2025 with Perkopolis!
While it still may feel far off, spring is headed our way! As we move out of a snowy winter, there’s no better time to refresh your style and home! Be sure to register for your Perkopolis account to browse exclusive offers on the latest in fashion, home decor and more.
Click here, you will find all the necessary information to register for your account. Be sure to register now and save this season! If you have any questions you can contact Perkopolis customer service through live chat, phone, or email.
A perk of being an OPBA member is getting access to Perkopolis – it’s free to join.
To join OPBA’s Perkopolis program, please email members@opba.ca with the e-mail address you would like associate with your Perkopolis account, and you’ll hear from us soon with next steps.
Note: Click here – link to Spring Refresh - Web (EN) - Canada
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Boost Your Professional Development!
There’s no better time to invest in your growth—why not book a course or two? Explore our upcoming educational sessions below and take the next step in your procurement journey. |
|
Procurement Specialists Meeting
Monday, April 28, 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Virtual Event
Registration closes on April 24, 2025, 12:00 PM ET
Join us quarterly for an inclusive gathering of procurement peers! These meetings provide a welcoming space for professionals engaged in procurement within their organizations, regardless of title. Each session features a structured yet flexible format, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute, share insights, and discuss current topics of interest. Come ready to ask questions, listen, and connect with peers during this interactive virtual networking experience.
Note: These sessions are specifically designed for professionals actively involved in procurement and are not intended for people leaders who do not directly procure goods and services.
Help Shape the Conversation!
We want to hear from you. To make the session as relevant and valuable as possible, we’re calling on you to share your topic ideas or burning questions.
📧 Send your suggestions to marybeth.meszaros@richmondhill.ca at least one week before the meeting.
Let’s make this session meaningful—together.
A free, OPBA member-exclusive opportunity! Attendees can earn two (2) contact hours for participating.
Register Here |
|
|
|
People Leaders Meeting
Friday, May 30, 2025
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual Event
Registration closes: Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Join us for a unique and inclusive gathering of procurement peers where the spirit of collaboration takes center stage! Our People Leader’s Meetings are a welcoming space for management/leadership level procurement professionals who lead others within their organization, regardless of their title.
Our goal is to cultivate a culture of open dialogue, curiosity, and inclusivity among peers in a safe environment. People Leaders are welcome to share their perspectives and engage in a free-flowing exchange of ideas, problem solving and sharing. This is an opportunity to learn from one another, broaden perspectives, and strengthen the bond within our network of procurement professionals.
This session is built with a structured yet flexible format that ensures everyone's voice is heard and respected.
Help Shape the Conversation!
We want to hear from you. To make the session as relevant and valuable as possible, we’re calling on you to share your topic ideas or burning questions.
📧 Send your suggestions to events@opba.ca at least one week before the meeting.
Let’s make this session meaningful—together.
A free, OPBA member-exclusive opportunity! Attendees can earn two (2) contact hours for participating.
Register Here |
|
|
|
Build Your Foundation with our Principles Program
Our Principles Program courses provide essential training in public sector procurement, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to excel. |
|
Principles - Introduction to Public Procurement
April 23 - 24, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes April 16, 2025
This course is the pre-requisite for the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, giving an introduction to policy and procedures, authority and agency, the public procurement cycle and other aspects of the function of procurement. Candidates will be given an overview of legal considerations purchasing staff need to know when developing and handling bid documents, deciding the best procurement option (tender and RFP processes), as well as discuss centralized versus decentralized procurement systems.
Register Here
|
|
|
|
Principles - Competitive Bidding
April 29 & 30, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes April 22, 2025
This session gives a detailed examination of the tendering and request for proposal processes. It includes concepts, issues and the resolution of issues relating to preparing and issuing the procurement documents as well as the ultimate receiving, opening and checking of bids. Candidates will be given an overview of the various components comprising tenders and request for proposal documents and the differences of each.
Register Here
|
|
|
|
Principles - Cooperative Procurement
May 3 & 4, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Friday, April 25, 2025
This course gives an overview of the cooperative procurement process in the public sector, describing the types, benefits, structure, legal considerations and challenges cooperative purchasing groups face. Attendees will be shown and discuss examples of constitutions, strategic plans, business plan reports, commodity listings and standard terms and conditions for public tenders issued by cooperative groups.
Register Here
|
|
|
|
Principles - Risk Management
May 7 + 8, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Wednesday, April 30, 2025
This course examines the various issues with managing risk when purchasing goods and services in the public sector. Candidates are given an overview of common risk issues, including those of ownership and copyright, the right to privacy, competitive bidding irregularities, occupational health and safety, environmental responsibilities and accountability in terms of personal and corporate liability.
Register Here
|
|
|
|
Principles Certificate Exam Prep Course [for June exam]
May 17 - 18, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Monday, May 12th, 2025
The Principles Certificate exam prep course is designed to get you ready for the exam. The topics covered in the course are what will be on the exam.
Register Here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
GovDeals
“Building the Bridge Between Transportation and Sustainable Practices: How Governments Selling Online Benefits the Global Economy and Constituents” highlights the critical role of online sales in liquidating government assets. Encompassing a wide array of properties, vehicles, and commercial products, online auctions not only streamline government processes but also take an important step in building better futures for surplus disposition powered by the circular economy.
Read More |
|
 |
|
Expedite and Simplify Your Projects with Job Order Contracting (JOC)
Whether it’s repairs, renovations, upgrades or straightforward construction, JOC allows you to put contractors in place immediately on a substantial number of projects with one, competitively awarded contract.
Watch Video Now |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Don’t Miss the 2025 OPBA Conference – Register Early & Save! |
|
Join us September 17–19, 2025, at the Nottawasaga Resort & Conference Centre for OPBA’s premier event, bringing together public procurement professionals for learning, networking, and collaboration.
Secure your spot and allocate funds before the Early Bird deadline!
Early Bird Registration Pricing ends Monday, July 7, 2025 – don’t miss your chance to save.
The full agenda is available on the OPBA Conference website, so register now to reserve your place at this must-attend event.
👉 Visit the OPBA’s 67th Annual Conference & Tradeshow website to learn more.
For questions, contact conference@opba.ca.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be an Exhibitor at the 2025 Reverse Vendor Tradeshow—Win a Free 2026 Conference Registration! |
|
|
|
Calling All OPBA Member Agencies—Participate for Free!
Don’t miss your chance to participate as an exhibitor in the 2025 Reverse Vendor Tradeshow. This event is your opportunity to:
• Showcase your agency’s procurement processes to vendors.
• Network with suppliers eager to collaborate with the public sector.
• Share insights on how businesses can work with your agency.
|
| Read More |
|
|
|
|
|
Osgoode Professional development |
|
|
|
Members get 10% off the following OsgoodePD programs using code OPBA-10
Managing Delay and Impact Claims in Construction
Apr 23, 2025 | In-Person & Online (Blended)
Apr 24, 2025 | Workshop Only - In-Person & Online (Blended)
With ongoing supply chain and labour disruptions, project delays and claims are growing in number, scope and complexity, which can lead to burdensome costs and reputational damage.
|
| Read More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Read More |
|
|
|
Advertising and Sponsored Content in the Caveat Emptor enews:
The OPBA is diversifying its revenue sources so that we are not solely reliant on revenue generated through membership fees. Our goals are to strengthen the financial health of the association and continue to deliver valued member services while maintaining a reasonable cost of membership. We appreciate the support of our partner vendors and suppliers, many of whom have advertising and sponsored content in this enews. Articles provided by advertisers are solely for the purpose of raising awareness. OPBA does not endorse, promote, or advocate any products and services.. |
|
|
|
www.opba.ca | Media Kit | Archive
The Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) is a not-for-profit professional association representing public procurement professionals throughout Ontario. We promote the ethical and effective expenditure of public funds and encourage excellence in public purchasing through our continuing professional development opportunities, the encouragement of certification programs and through networking among our members. |
|
|
|
|
|
brought to you by MediaEdge Digital | http://www.mediaedge.ca |
|
MediaEdge Communications, 251 Consumers Road Suite 1020, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4R3, Canada
Click here to unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
|
