Definition

A physical, mental or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities. (Source: Invisible Disabilities Association) 

A physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, sensory, learning or communication impairment, or a functional limitation, whether apparent or not, and permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, that hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society when they face a barrier. (Source: Government of Canada).

Anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice. (Source: Council of Ontario Universities)

AODA is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) which aims to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. It applies to all levels of government, nonprofits and private sector businesses in Ontario that have one or more employees. (Source: Accessibility Canada).

A general term used to describe the degree of ease that something (e.g. device, service, environment) can be used and enjoyed by persons with a disability. The term implies conscious planning, design and/or effort to ensure it is barrier-free to persons with a disability, and by extension, highly usable and practical for the general population as well. (Source: Access for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005)

A document used to request specific and well-defined goods or services, where price is the main evaluation criteria.

A document used to gather information about Vendors in order to create a list that will be used for up to three years’ worth of procurements (a Qualified Supplier List). This is most useful for a service you will regularly require over a period of time, but where the details of each opportunity will differ. Find our current Qualified Supplier Lists on the Approved Vendors and Standing Offers page.

A document used to request vendors to propose solutions for the delivery of complex products or services or to provide alternative options or solutions. It is a process that uses predefined evaluation criteria to determine the best value for money for the university (i.e., price is not the only factor). The RFP process brings structure to the procurement decision and is meant to allow the risks and benefits to be clearly identified at the beginning of the process. All notices of RFP opportunities are listed on an electronic tendering system known as MERX for a minimum of 25 calendar days.

Non-application Provisions are provisions that exempt a given procurement from the application of the government procurement chapter obligations of the applicable trade agreement (CFTA, CETA or OQCTA). Valid reasons for non-application of the procurement process are found in Section 3.2 of the Limited Tendering Exception Codes.

A single source is a non-competitive process used to acquire goods or services from a specific vendor, even though there may be more than one vendor capable of delivering the same goods or services. Valid exceptions for using a limited tender single source process are found in Section 3.1 of the Limited Tendering Exception Codes.

A sole source is a non-competitive process used to acquire goods or services from a specific vendor because there are no other vendors available or capable of providing the required goods or services.  Valid exceptions for using a limited tender sole source process are found in Section 3.1 of the Limited Tendering Exception Codes.

A Standing Offer is similar to Vendors of Record, except there is no contract in place. Vendors are offering goods or services at a set price with established terms and conditions, however the contract (typically in the form of a Purchase Order) is completed when someone is ready to make a purchase.

To make your purchase, please find more information below.