Introducing the BC Education Marketplace
T
he BC Education Marketplace (BCEM) began providing service to B.C. public school districts in July 2015. This new shared procurement entity is working hard to usher in a new era of increased collaboration with and between B.C. K-12 school districts. The BCEM was
created to identify and capitalize on opportunities where the combined provincial demand for common products used by most school districts can result in better prices and enhanced service for all. Maria Melan, director of BCEM, is quick to point out that this does not mean BCEM solutions are ‘one-size-fits-all’. “What districts need to know is that BCEM is negotiating master agreements in key product categories, but that those agreements can be customized to meet local district needs,” says Melan. “There is considerable flexibility in every contract negotiated because BCEM understands that each district has unique needs and unique ways of buying.” The mandate of the BCEM is to generate cost or administrative savings for the K-12 sector through collaborative procurement projects, allowing districts to reinvest saved time and money in other priorities. District purchasing departments will continue to do the majority of procurement activities for their organizations. BCEM will establish and maintain relationships with districts, professional associations, and other procurement entities to better coordinate activities for the benefit of the sector. It will also act as a resource to school districts seeking information or assistance on procurement-related issues. BCEM will complement and supplement districts and other shared services entities through collaboration, communication, information sharing, and professional support. BCEM is governed by the Procurement Steering Committee (PSC), which is appointed by the BC Association of School Business Officials (BCASBO) and includes representation from all five BCASBO zones in the province. Support is also provided by the Ministry of Education Service Delivery Project Committee (SDPC) and staff. • Serving Western Canada since 1977
BCEM Projects Participation in all BCEM contracts is completely voluntary, but as time goes on, more and more districts are seeing the advantage of accessing BCEM agreements. Contracts of particular interest to EFMA’s K-12 members, which have been signed and can be accessed immediately, include a natural gas contract for metres purchasing more than 2,000 gigajoules (GJ) annually, contracts for custodial products (garbage bags, paper towels, toilet paper), and a fuel contract for gas and diesel. For information on existing BCEM contracts, visit the Agreements page on the BCEM website, or send an email directly to info@bcedmarketplace.ca. On the Agreements page, you will also find more than 70 agreements available to school districts via the broader public sector.
BCEM’s Collaborative Framework One of the greatest strengths of BCEM projects is the people who contribute to making them a success. Every BCEM procurement project is led by a working committee of regional subject matter experts who have significant experience in buying and using the products being procured. With all five (5) BCASBO zones represented on each project committee, BCEM can ensure that regional differences are recognized and respected. These committee work together to study prior sales data, develop product specifications and identify criteria for evaluating the bids submitted in response to BCEM RFPs. Once the bids are in, they actively participate in evaluating responses and make final decisions, fully supported by BCEM staff. If you work for a B.C. school district and would like to help BCEM on future procurement projects, please email info@ bcedmarketplace.ca with your name, contact information and areas of expertise. BCEM will contact you when an opportunity arises. To find out more about the BC Education Marketplace, see the BCEM Year in Review 2015/16 and BCEM Strategic Plan, both posted on the BCEM website. n
bring learning to LIFE
GLIDES & FLOOR PROTECTION
• The right price for the right job • Large local inventory
VANCOUVER Toll Free: 1-800-689-1441
CALGARY
Toll Free: 1-800-665-1348 EDMONTON Toll Free: 1-800-323-9886
CASTER TOWN Edmonton
48
Ops Talk • Spring 2017
LTD
•
www.castertown.com Calgary
•
Vancouver
ARCHITECTURE & L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE www.chparchitects.com 604-793-9445
