News release

Province Finds Significant Savings, Efficiencies in Procurement

Treasury Board (Sept. 2009 - June 2013)

Nova Scotians will see more of their tax dollars available for the services they need most through savings found in the way the province purchases vehicles, information technology, and office equipment.

Over the past seven months, the province has worked with school boards and district health authorities to find efficiencies and savings while delivering quality goods and services.

"After four years of hard work, and spending smarter, the province is back to balance," said Deputy Premier Frank Corbett. "Making sure taxpayers get the most bang for their buck allows the province to put more of its resources in areas like early childhood development, growing the economy and offering better care sooner."

The province started the strategic procurement project in 2012 as one of a number of strategies to live within its means.

Contracts have been awarded to 37 vendors across the province for office products, furniture, IT contingent labour, laptops and desktops, managed print services, bulk fuel, light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, heavy equipment, parts and consumables, including introducing a new fleet management and tool card.

The anticipated savings from 11 areas is nearly $15 million.

Nova Scotia-based IMP Solutions will provide laptop and desktop computers to the province.

"IMP Solutions looks forward to growing our technical service team in Nova Scotia as a result of winning this new contract," said senior client executive, Heather Raycroft, IMP Solutions. "Our company will provide competitive product pricing, supply high-quality products, and use web-based ordering all to further drive efficiencies for government purchases."

"The district health authorities are pleased to work with the province on managed print services and laptop and desktop purchases," said Merged Services Nova Scotia general manager Colin Stevenson. "We will experience significant savings through this partnership and will have the opportunity to create an environment which is more efficient to support as a result of the standardization of technologies."

General Motors of Canada Limited will co-supply light-duty vehicles to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick with Ford, Chrysler and Toyota.

"We are excited to secure a contract for light-duty vehicles with the three Atlantic Provinces and anticipate growth across our Nova Scotia locations as a result," said director of fleet and commercial sales for GM Canada Peter Bagnall. "We're pleased to be part of a plan that will benefit Nova Scotians and Atlantic Canadians through joint purchasing, while offering businesses fair, competitive opportunities."

For more information about the business areas and the request for proposals, visit gov.ns.ca/tenders/current-contracts.aspx .