Purchasing and procurement
The City of Courtenay is commited to transparent, efficient and fair procurement activities.
Our Purchasing division is responsible for acquiring materials, supplies, equipment and services for various City departments. We aim to provide the best value for taxpayers by considering price, environmental impact, quality, service life, social value and Indigenous opportunities.
How to become a City vendor
To be considered as a vendor, email the Purchasing division with your company information, including the products and services you offer.
The City maintains active records of vendor information for use by its departments. We reserve the right to remove vendors from our records at any time.
Vendors working on City premises must provide valid insurance, a business license, WorkSafeBC coverage and any other Occupational Health and Safety documentation in an approved format.
Bid opportunities
The City regularly posts procurement opportunities on BC Bid and our bid opportunities page. Businesses can review these listings and submit proposals based on the instructions provided in each bid document.
How the City makes purchases
The City uses several methods to acquire goods and services:
- Purchases under $2,500 – The employee's name and department must be clearly stated on the packing slip and invoice.
- Purchases requiring at least three quotes – Unless an exemption applies, the City must obtain at least three quotes for purchases over:
- $10,000 for general goods and services
- $50,000 for professional services
- $50,000 for construction-related services
- Formal competitive bidding process – Unless an exemption applies, purchases over the following amounts must be posted to BC Bid and the City's website:
- $75,000 for general goods and services
- $75,000 for professional services
- $200,000 for construction services
The City has strict policies prohibiting employees from accepting gifts or other gratuities from vendors.
View the City of Courtenay Procurement Policy [PDF - 551 KB]