1. Step 1: Navigate to the Correct Means of Procurement
  2. Step 2: Locate the BOBIA Questions
    1. Cheque Requisition Form
    2. Purchase Requisition Form
  3. Step 3: Answer the BOBIA Questions
    1. Question 1: Is this an Ontario Business?
    2. Question 2: How did you consider Ontario Businesses in making your purchase decision?

Updates to the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act (BOBIA), O.Reg. 422/23, will impact procurement requirements for purchases under the Open Competitive procurement threshold starting April 1, 2024. BOBIA does not override the university’s requirement to engage in Competitive Procurement (ex: receiving competing quotations or engaging in Open Competitive procurement where required by the Procurement Policy).

When completing a Cheque Requisition or Purchase Requisition in eShop, you will be asked to demonstrate your compliance with BOBIA by answering two mandatory questions.

Questions? Email us at ProcurementServices@carleton.ca.

Step 1: Navigate to the Correct Means of Procurement

The means of procurement available to you is based on the Total Procurement Value of your purchase. This page focuses on eShop requisition forms only – if your means of procurement is eCard, Corporate Card (PCard), Travel and Expense System, or eShop Catalogues (Convenience Vendors), please see “How to Demonstrate Compliance” for more information.

Step 2: Locate the BOBIA Questions

Cheque Requisition Form

Within the Cheque Requisition form, find the “Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act (BOBIA)” header above the Vendor Information section.

Important: With some exceptions, a Cheque Requisition form can be used to request payment to a Vendor for Non-competitive procurements only. Please do not use this form if a Purchase Requisition form has already been processed, or the payment is for personal reimbursement of business expenses.

BOBIA eShop Questions on Cheque Requisition form

Purchase Requisition Form

Within the Purchase Requisition form, find the “Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act (BOBIA)” header under the Competitive Bid Requirements section.

BOBIA eShop Questions on Puchase Requisition form

Step 3: Answer the BOBIA Questions

You will be required to answer both BOBIA questions with respect to the Vendor you are procuring goods or services from.

Question 1: Is this an Ontario Business?

The university may rely on a representation by the Vendor regarding their status as an Ontario Business as defined by BOBIA. Even where the status of the Vendor may appear obvious, Procurement Services encourages you to seek the appropriate representation.

To determine the answer to Question 1:

Answer Option Select this Answer if
Yes
  1. The Vendor has a Ontario Business Symbol in eShop, indicating they have represented their status as an Ontario Business.
  2. Non-competitive procurements: your Vendor represented they are an Ontario Business using the Ontario Business Representation Form.
  3. Invitational Competitive procurements (requires use of a Purchase Requisition): your Vendor represented they are an Ontario Business using the Invitation to Quote process.
No
  1. Non-competitive procurements: your Vendor represented they are not an Ontario Business using the Ontario Business Representation Form.
  2. Invitational Competitive procurements (requires use of a Purchase Requisition): your Vendor represented they are not an Ontario Business using the Invitation to Quote process.
Procurement was completed before April 1, 2024. You are using a currently valid eShop Contract Reference Number as your Competitive Bid Requirement. HINT: did you know that eShop has a “Contracts” module you can search using the Contract Reference Number provided to you upon Contract execution? Look for the Icon for the Contracts module menu item in eShop icon in the eShop menu bar.

Answer option available on Purchase Requisition form only.

Remember, if your Vendor doesn’t have the trillium symbol that may mean they haven’t had the opportunity to represent their status yet and does not necessarily confirm they are not an Ontario Business.

Question 2: How did you consider Ontario Businesses in making your purchase decision?

BOBIA requires you to give preference to Ontario Businesses when seeking quotes as part of the Non-competitive and Invitational Competitive Procurement requirements.

To determining the answer to Question 2:

Answer Option Select this Answer if
Invited only Ontario Businesses to provide (a) quotation(s) The Vendor(s) you invited to quote all fall into at least one of the following categories:
  1. Has a Ontario Business Symbol in eShop, or
  2. :Represented they are an Ontario Business using either
    1. Non-competitive procurement: Ontario Business Representation Form, or
    2. Invitational Competitive procurements (requires use of a Purchase Requisition):  Invitation to Quote process.
10% preferential margin given to Ontario Businesses who provided quotations You completed the Invitation to Quote process.
Requisition is a result of Open Competitive procurement You are using a currently valid eShop Contract Reference Number as your Competitive Bid Requirement.
Exception: goods or services not available from an Ontario Business You have completed adequate due diligence to determine that there is no Ontario Business providing the required good or service.
Exception: purchase from a Vendor of Record / Qualified Supplier List / Standing Offer You are procuring your goods or services through an Approved Vendor (Vendor of Record or Qualified Supplier List) or Standing Offer.

HINT: Look for the in eShop to identify Vendors of Record.
Exception: emergency, treasury, legal, commercial sale or resale Your goods or services are:
  1. Required for an emergency,
  2. The services of a lawyer, paralegal, notary public, or expert witness, or
  3. Procured for commercial sale or resale.
Not Applicable Applies to Cheque Requisition use for payments not related to a procurement. Cheque Requisitions are not used when payment is for personal reimbursement of business expenses.

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