From left: Gaetan Thomas, CEO of the Conseil economique du Nouveau-Brunswick; Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jill Green; and Service New Brunswick Minister Mary Wilson. (Image: Submitted/Government of New Brunswick)
A new procurement strategy and action plan announced Monday by the New Brunswick government is being described as a positive step toward economic recovery and growth.
The strategy includes a New Brunswick First procurement policy to ensure goods, services and construction services required by the government are procured by provincial suppliers where possible.
“This includes adjusting principles to include best value, not just low-cost considerations, in awarding contracts and adjusting contract specifications to ensure New Brunswick companies have an opportunity to bid,” said the province in a news release.
A new program will also give New Brunswick suppliers the chance to submit unsolicited proposals to the province for products or solutions which could help deliver public sector programs or services.
The government will also host a Reverse Trade Show and Networking event every two years to connect suppliers in the province with public sector organizations.
“The pandemic has had a huge impact on the New Brunswick business sector across the province and today’s announcement is a positive step toward economic recovery and growth,” said Gaetan Thomas, CEO of the Conseil economique du Nouveau-Brunswick, in a news release. “The strategy and action plan will provide better opportunities for New Brunswick businesses to compete and grow, as well as create opportunities for businesses to present new ideas and approaches to delivering services to benefit the public.”
Adrienne O’Pray, president and CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council, applauded the province for acting on their suggestions of how businesses can do more business with the government.
“Having local companies work on government projects helps to build their expertise locally. This becomes an advantage for companies to then gain other business both inside and outside of the province. Everybody wins,” said O’Pray.
A new online dashboard will also track and report how successful New Brunswick businesses are in obtaining government procurement contracts.
According to the provincial release, the New Brunswick government spent an average of $1.02 billion per year on procurement over the past 12 years, with 77 per cent awarded to New Brunswick companies.
“The procurement strategy and action plan are part of the government’s pro-growth agenda that aims to support our local businesses and help them to compete and prosper,” said Service New Brunswick Minister Mary Wilson. “It recognizes that public procurement can play an important role in economic development by creating more opportunities for growth and increasing the percentage of purchase orders awarded to New Brunswick suppliers.”
The province said the strategy and action plan are a collaboration between Service New Brunswick, Opportunities and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and are based upon extensive consultations with suppliers and industry associations.
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