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 Kinetic GPO (Kinetic) and is eligible to procure through current and future cooperative contracts that are administered by Kinetic.
4. Kinetic GPO is a Group Purchasing Organization (also called a Buying Group or Cooperative Purchasing Organization). Kinetic was established for Broader Public Sector and MASH (Municipal Academic School and Hospital) entities across Canada, with the specific purpose of reducing procurement cost by leveraging the purchasing power of group buying and saving our members time by simplifying steps to procure. Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO) are widely used in Canada, especially in the medical health and education sectors. Kinetic leverages the national purchasing power of member organizations, while also streamlining the required purchasing process for the buying organization.
5. Kinetic’s cooperative contract categories currently include, but are not limited to, the following:
   1. Business Products & Office Furniture
   2. Construction
   3. Energy Services
   4. Facilities & MRO Suppliers
   5. Fleet, Automotive Parts, EV Charging, & Traffic Control Products
   6. Information Technology Solutions
   7. Roofing
   8. School Supplies
   1. Surplus Auction and Related Services
   10. Tractors, Related Parts & Services
   11. Utility, Transportation, Golf Vehicles

6. Those who are interested in becoming a vendor must follow the Kinetic GPO competitive solicitation process. More information can be found at: https://www.kineticgpo.ca/kinetic-gpo-public-sector-procurement-contracting-process.html
7. All inquiries specific to this NOP can be directed to Dana Silk, Manager of Procurement & Contract Administration, at dsilk@summerland.ca.   
8. This NOP will be posted until February 9, 2024.

Appendix A – Kinetic GPO Contracts