List of Vendors & Suppliers and Supplier Contracts & Agreements

Explore our comprehensive list of approved vendors and suppliers to ensure you access high-quality products, excellent customer service, and potential cost savings. Our streamlined procurement process supports your purchasing needs efficiently and in compliance with the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act. Learn more about our vendor categories and access the complete list by visiting the dedicated pages.

For more information,Click to view the Supplier List or  Supplier Contracts and Agreements.

The Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive provides the following definition of a contract: An obligation, such as an accepted offer, between competent parties upon a legal consideration, to do or abstain from doing some act. It is essential to the creation of a contract that the parties intend that their agreement shall have legal consequences and be legally enforceable.

The essential elements of a contract include:

• An offer
• An acceptance
• An intention to create a legal relationship
• Consideration (usually money)

If a document contains these elements, a binding contract between the parties is formed. A contract that is too vague may not be enforceable, so it is important to ensure all business and legal terms included in the contract are specific and described in detail.

Note that digital contracts are legally binding, as are online contracts that require the user to click “I Agree.” Ensure the same guidance set out below is followed for entering into e-contracts/online contracts. Purchases of goods and services under $100,000 can be completed through a University purchase order. The standard purchase order includes the following language to ensure that the supplier is bound by terms that will protect the University:

• Supplier agrees to be bound by the Standard Terms and Conditions of Laurentian University which are incorporated herein by reference and can be viewed at www.laurentian.ca/purchasing unless Supplier and Laurentian University have entered into an agreement that expressly provides otherwise.]\

These terms and conditions will create a legal obligation upon the supplier’s fulfillment of the purchase order.

Sometimes suppliers may provide their standard form of contract for the University to execute, in which case the contract will take precedence over the terms and conditions. These contracts may be signed if they align with the University’s standard terms and conditions and also include a start and end date. These contracts do not always include the University’s standard terms and conditions because the contract has been drafted for the supplier’s benefit and the University’s standard terms heavily favor the University. Therefore, supplier contracts should be reviewed carefully by the local buying unit as well as with legal advice from the Office of University Counsel. Some key terms that should be considered and included in a contract for the purchase of goods and services include:

• Insurance and Warranty provisions, if applicable
• Ownership of Intellectual Property that is created for the University, if applicable
• Confidentiality provisions
• Specific deliverables
• Timelines expected for the deliverable(s)
• Payment schedule associated with the deliverable(s)
• Termination Clause
• Laws of Ontario will govern the contract
• Date and signature of both parties (who have the authority to bind the legal entity)

Laurentian University Procurement and Contracts is responsible for conducting open tender calls. When issuing a tender call (e.g., RFP), the University is required to include a contract template to provide suppliers with an indication of the contractual terms under which the University expects to govern the relationship. The terms in the contract template align with the above-noted purchasing terms and conditions and also include a number of additional terms to protect the University.

Often, the supplier wishes to negotiate a number of modifications to the contract template for various legal and business reasons. Laurentian University Procurement and Contracts, in conjunction with the local buying unit, may determine if the supplier’s suggested modifications require a more detailed legal review. Requests for major changes to the standard contract will delay contract execution because the negotiation and approval process for both the University and the supplier can take a great deal of time.

Legal services for contracts over $100,000 are coordinated directly by Laurentian University Procurement and Contracts if, in their view, legal services are required.