Doing business with Strathcona County

Purchasing policy | Competitive process | Commodities/services | Department contacts


Strathcona County spends  public funds annually to purchase goods and services. In buying goods and services, we make every effort to:

  • obtain the best value for the dollars we spend
  • manage our purchasing in a way that is fair to all suppliers

This Web page explains how Strathcona County conducts its business. It outlines our policies, practices and procedures related to purchasing, tenders, awards and invoice payment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding these matters, please contact Facility Services at 780-464-8403 or

Philosophy
Strathcona County has a hybrid purchasing administration, with both centralized and decentralized purchasing activity. Departments have the authority to purchase goods and services, or they can use the centralized resources of Facility Services.

When we can obtain the lowest net price by purchasing pooled common commodities, Facility Services is the designated purchasing agent.

Strathcona County employees follow purchasing practices that promote the principles of economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity and environmental responsibility. Our practices are consistent with the organization's strategic objectives.

Strathcona County's purchasing policy
While ensuring all purchasing actions are fair and impartial, Strathcona County strives to purchase goods and services of the highest value and quality at the lowest net life-cycle cost.

We want to access the broadest market possible to stimulate competition and achieve the objectives of the purchasing process.

Whenever possible, the County considers the impact of the product or service on the environment. We may require products to be durable or reusable, or that they contain the maximum level of post-consumer waste or recycled content, without significantly affecting the intended use.

Strathcona County employees are responsible to establish a relationship of mutual confidence with the County's suppliers. Employees shall ensure competition is open and fair, use consistent buying practices, and remain free of obligation to any vendor or potential vendor.

Purchasing locally
Strathcona County acknowledges and appreciates the contributions that local businesses make to the community. The County will employ all reasonable measures and undertake appropriate action to maximize the purchasing opportunity with all local business.

All businesses located within our municipal boundaries have equal opportunity to supply goods and/or services to Strathcona County. Preference will be given to a local business when all factors (quality, availability of goods or services, price, warranties, brands, transportation costs, service availability, qualifications, etc.) are equal.

Introducing your firm to Strathcona County
Facility Services is responsible for establishing overall programs and guidelines to assist departments with their purchasing requirements.

Contact us and take the opportunity to introduce yourself and your firm.  Facility Services can then direct you to departments that may need the services or products you provide. Contact us periodically to ensure the information regarding your firm is current and correct.

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Competitive process
A fair, open and transparent competitive process is intended to ensure all interested individuals, organizations and vendors have equal opportunity to provide Strathcona County with goods or services.

  • Telephone quotations
    Telephone quotations may be requested when Strathcona County buys miscellaneous items of relatively low dollar value, or when circumstances do not permit written quotations.
  • Invitation to tender
    The tender process is used when price is the sole award factor, provided all specifications, terms and conditions have been met.
  • Request for quotations
    We invite quotations where cost as well as other factors are considered in the award. Specifications may not be conclusive, and a review may be required to determine - the lowest net life-cycle cost
    - appropriate and/or highest quality prior to awarding the contract.
  • Request for proposals
    Requests for proposals are submitted when a specification is known but there are numerous solutions to fulfill the requirements. Cost, as well as other factors are considered in the award.  This method provides vendors with an opportunity to bid on work or service using their unique skills.

The selection of the successful offer will be based on Strathcona's appreciation of the firm's experience, knowledge, resources and ability to complete the project or provide the County with effective, efficient and economical services.

Public opening
The time, location and conditions of an Invitation to Tender  public opening will be made known in advance and included in competition documents. Request for Proposals and Request for Quotations do not have public openings.

Only the name of each company and the total bid will be released during a public opening. The selected bid will not be announced at the opening; it will be announced once we have evaluated the documents and obtained appropriate approvals.

Evaluation of bids
After the closing, alls submissions are reviewed to make sure they are compiant and meet all requirements as outlined in the offer documents.

Notification
The selected company will be notified as soon as possible after the selection is made. A purchase order or other legal agreement will be issued to confirm the award. Unsuccessful bidders will be notified of the selected bidders name.

Payment of invoices
Strathcona County recognizes the need for prompt and accurate payment of your invoices.

  • We process invoices only after goods and services have been received and accepted at the destination specified.
  • Standard payment terms are net 30. Discounts for early payment, if offered, may be negotiated with the County.
  • Include both the purchase order number and the name of the receiving department, and submit your invoice to:
    Strathcona County
    Financial Services
    2001 Sherwood Drive
    Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7

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Further information: 780-464-8403
Strathcona County
Facility Services

Office Location & mailing address

Facility Services
2nd Floor, County Hall
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, AB  T8A 3W7

Phone: 780-464-8403
Fax: 780-464-8404

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Department contacts
Information (all departments): 780-464-8111

Assessment & Tax
Director: Wayne Minke
Phone: 780-464-8160
Fax: 780-464-8270

Capital Planning & Construction
Director: Mike MacGarva
Phone: 780-417-7120
Fax: 780-464-8180

Communications
Director: Carmen Herbers
Phone: 780-464-8023
Fax: 780-464-8009

Corporate Planning & Intergovernmental Affairs
Manager: Kevin Glebe
Phone: 780-464-8248
Fax: 780-464-8050

Economic Development & Tourism
Director: Gerry Gabinet
Phone: 780-464-8257
Fax: 780-464-8444

Emergency Services
Manager: Chief Darrell Reid
Phone: 780-416-7239
Fax: 780-467-5217

Facility Services
Director: Diehl Townsley
Phone: 780-464-8408
Fax: 780-464-8404
Buyer: TBA
Phone: 780-464-8403
Fax: 780-464-8404

Family & Community Services
Director: Jackie Winter
Phone: 780-464-8449
Fax: 780-449-1220

Financial Services
Director: Christine Jackson
Phone: 780-464-8190
Fax: 780-464-8050

Fleet Services
Director: Stan Sullivan
Phone: 780-467-5869
Fax: 780-449-1478

Human Resources
Director: Holly Stengel
Phone: 780-464-8429
Fax: 780-464-8521

Information Technology Services
Director: Rob Schnieder
Phone: 780-464-8052
Fax: 780-464-8026

Legislative & Legal Services
Director: Glenna Kemp
Phone: 780-464-8157
Fax: 780-464-8050

Planning & Development Services
Director: Vernon Parker
Phone: 780-464-8127
Fax: 780-464-8145

Public Transit
Director: Matt Carpenter
Phone: 780-417-7181
Fax: 780-417-7176

Recreation, Parks & Culture
Director: Russ Pawlyk
Phone: 780-464-8490
Fax: 780-449-1906

RCMP
Liaison: Laura Knox
Phone: 780-449-0182
Fax: 780-449-1265

Transportation & Agriculture Services
Director: Ian Gray
Phone: 780-417-7129
Fax: 780-417-7109

Utilities
Director: Jeff Hutton
Phone: 780-464-8175
Fax: 780-464-0557

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Last updated: Thursday, November 17, 2011
Page ID: 2303

County Hall: 2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 3W7