Learn About Corporate Supply Arrangements

Who can use Corporate Supply Arrangements?

Download a list of public sector agencies and organizations that have been registered to use these Corporate Supply Arrangements here

All public sector organizations in British Columbia are eligible to access CSAs.  Not-for-profit agencies that provide services to the public and that are funded primarily by government are also eligible.  And, private companies that deliver services to the public under contract to government may be eligible.
Eligible organizations are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Purchasing Services to obtain access.  Click here for additional information.
If your organization is a:

• public body (e.g. school district, Crown Corporation, City); regulatory body created by legislation (e.g. College of Pharmacists);
• not-for-profit organization delivering services on behalf of government (e.g. social service agencies supporting Ministry of Children and Families);
• private company under contract to government to deliver services to the general public; e.g. bus companies providing Handi-Dart service.

For a complete list of organizations currently permitted to access CSAs, click here.  If your organization is not listed but is interested in obtaining access, please contact us at purchasing@gov.bc.ca or call 250 387-7300.

Why use a Corporate Supply Arrangement?

A Corporate Supply Arrangement is a convenient method of supply that saves both time and money. Once a CSA is in place, the authorized organization that requires the goods or services, deals with the supplier directly using prices already negotiated by Purchasing Services.  This results in faster processing times and reduced paper work because prices and terms have been settled in advance, and there is no need for further negotiation. From the taxpayers' point of view, the advantages are lower administrative costs and less need for government to carry inventory.

Is there only one type of Corporate Supply Arrangement?

Most CSAs are arranged with external suppliers for goods and services, and are available to government and public sector clients.  Some CSAs are available to ministries only, and some CSAs may be further restricted to a single ministry (for example the CSA for weather stations is for exclusive use by the Ministry of Transportation.)  The availability is noted at the top of each CSA page.

Also, there are internal CSAs (Internal Corporate Supply Arrangements that must be used by ministries) which are listed in government’s Core Policy and Procedures Manual in Chapter 6.3.2 a.  These CSAs are to ensure ministries access various services in accordance with government policy.  They include services such as printing, advertising, and mail processing and distribution, to name a few.

Contractual limitations

Usually, CSAs have no per-transaction dollar limit. In several CSAs, a limit has been put in place, when it is determined a better price could be achieved through a separate competitive process.  For example, some of the CSAs for Pipe have a per transaction limit of $100,000.  If there is a per transaction limit, it will be stated at the top of each CSA page.

Who to contact

All CSAs have a procurement contact listed at the top of the CSA page, including their email and direct telephone number.  For general CSA information, contact Purchasing Services:
Email: (purchasing@gov.bc.ca
Telephone: (250) 387-7300.