1. The Canadian Free Trade Agreement stipulates that government procuring entities making a procurement by participating with a buying group, when the procurement is subject to Chapter 5 of the agreement, are to post their participation at least annually.
2. A buying group means a group of two or more members that combines the purchasing requirements and activities of the members of the group into one joint procurement process. Buying groups include cooperative arrangements in which individual members administer the procurement function for specific contracts for the group, and more formal corporate arrangements in which the buying group administers procurement for group members. Buying groups may consist of a variety of entities, including any combination of procuring entities, private sector entities, or not-for-profit organizations.
3. Notice is hereby given that the District of Summerland (the District) is a member of Canoe Procurement Group of Canada (formerly Rural Municipalities of Alberta’s RMA Trade) and is eligible to procure through current and future cooperative contracts that are administered by Canoe Procurement Group of Canada/RMA Trade.
4. Canoe Procurement Group of Canada is a Group Purchasing Organization (also called a Buying Group or Cooperative Purchasing Organization). Canoe Procurement Group of Canada provides public sector entities access to quality and competitively priced goods and services for their everyday needs. Canoe members consist of not-for-profit and public sector organizations, such as school divisions, municipalities, water irrigation districts, rural electrification associations, hospitals, airport authorities, post-secondary institutions, seniors housing associations, and many more. Collectively, Canoe has over 5,000 members across the country and continues to grow.
5. Canoe Procurement Group of Canada’s cooperative contract categories currently include, but are not limited to, the following:
   1. Capital Purchasing Program
   2. Culverts Program
   3. Employee Benefits Program
   4. Energy Program
   5. Fabric Shelter Program
   6. Fleet Management Program
   7. Fleet Upfitting Program
   8. Geospatial Program
   1. Ground Engagement Program
   10. Office Supplies Program
   11. Traffic Supplies Program
   12. Technology Program
6. Those who are interested in becoming a vendor must follow the Canoe Procurement Group of Canada solicitation process. More information can be found at:
   https://canoeprocurement.ca/suppliers/get-approved/
7. All inquiries specific to this NOP can be directed to Dana Silk, Manager of Procurement & Contract Administration, at dsilk@summerland.ca.   

Appendix A – Canoe Procurement Contract Categories