Directive on purchases of subscriptions/memberships

1. Effective date

The Directive takes effect on September 21, 2015.

2. Application

This Directive applies to all government departments and agencies that have a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and the Integrity Clauses.

3. Context

The Ineligibility and Suspension Policy enables Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) to issue Directives with respect to any aspect of the policy. Directives are used for such purposes as elaborating on or clarifying aspects of the policy, such as establishing monetary thresholds for, or identifying classes of contracts and real property agreements excluded from, application of the policy.

4. Directive statement

4.1 Objective

To exclude certain unilateral contracts used to purchase certain specified routine type goods and services that are necessary for the operations of government from the application of the Integrity Regime. The exclusion shall be limited to newspaper subscriptions or other like information subscriptions or memberships, electronic or otherwise.

5. Definitions

5.1 Contracts for purchase of subscriptions/memberships

A contract for purchase of subscriptions/memberships is defined as a legally binding agreement between Canada and a supplier to purchase goods or services, in which Canada is provided with a standardized contract that offers goods or services on a take it or leave it basis without giving Canada an opportunity to negotiate any of the terms and conditions. The terms and conditions are the same for all of their clients and are unrelated to Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions (SACC) clauses.

6. Requirements

The Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and Integrity Clauses are not required to apply to certain types of transactions that are contracts for the purchase of subscriptions/memberships.

7. Inquiries

If you have questions related to this Directive, please contact the Integrity Regime Team:

Toll free:

1-844-705-2084

Email:

PWGSC.O.integrity-TPSGC.O.integrite@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca