General instructions to Suppliers: The District School Board of Niagara (hereafter referred to as the DSBN) hereby invites submissions to pre-qualify suppliers of record for Agricultural and Horticultural Supplies, Equipment and Furnishings commencing immediately with the original term expiring June 30, 2023. Consideration will be given to renew the contract for four (4) additional one-year periods ending June 30, 2027. The DSBN will be pre-qualifying multiple suppliers. Suppliers that do not meet the original submission deadline are still eligible and encouraged to submit a proposal. Suppliers may submit a Pre-qualification proposal at any time throughout the duration of the contract. Additional Supplier(s) will be added to the list as they are received and reviewed by DSBN staff. Objective: To request competitive proposals and establish Suppliers of Record for for pickup or shipment of Agricultural and Horticultural Supplies, Equipment and Furnishings for low dollar value and/or repetitively used supplies with a minimum of administrative expense. The following are representative of the items which may be required, but are not limited to: Carts and Display, Watering Solutions, Seeds and Plants, Seed Starting Accessories and Supplies and Growing Mediums, Garden and Yard Care, Mulching and Composting Bins, Landscape Design Software, and Beneficial Insects. This is not an all-inclusive list. Other types of equipment may be required and will become part of the contract. The DSBN reserves the right to obtain quotes from multiple pre-qualified Suppliers for items, at our discretion, although we are not required to do so and may proceed with a pre-qualified Supplier of our choice without further quotes. Depending on order turnaround requirements and availability, orders may be picked up at a Supplier’s storefront near the geographical boundaries of the Niagara Region with suitable proximity to DSBN operating locations or may be ordered via purchase or blanket contract order for delivery. Individual schools will purchase supplies, equipment and furnishings on the basis of “best fit” subject to the availability of the parts and supplies from a Supplier to meet DSBN requirements. There is no guarantee that any items will be purchased. The DSBN reserves the right to obtain quotes from multiple pre-qualified Suppliers for items, at our discretion, although we are not required to do so and may proceed with a pre-qualified Supplier providing the highest minimum discount percentage without further quotes. While the products ordered will typically be used in DSBN secondary schools, any DSBN elementary school may also purchase under the terms of this agreement. The DSBN serves 12 Municipalities in the Niagara Region from Fort Erie to Grimsby, including 79 elementary and 20 secondary schools with an enrollment of approximately 36,000 students. In addition, there are other administrative centres throughout this geographical area, including the Education Centre and a Service Centre. DSBN complies with the Broader Public Sector Directives (as directed by the Province of Ontario); and applicable trade agreements such as Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) and Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
