Procurement of Services

Do you need a service outside those offered by government? The Financial Administration Manual (FAM) #4510 Contracts for Services outlines the policy and procedures for managing service contracts.  The Financial Administration Manual (FAM) #4515 Procurement of Services outlines the specific policy and procedures for the procurement of services. This is to help ensure that you acquire the services you need in a manner that is fiscally accountable to the people of Saskatchewan and compliant with trade agreements. 

Ministries are responsible for ensuring services are awarded through a fair, open and transparent process. Ministries are encouraged to contact Procurement Services, Ministry of Central Services for assistance in procuring services.  

To learn more about this service, refer to the applicable sections of The Financial Administration Manual  (FAM 4515) or use the links below to jump to the content: 

If you are looking to purchase goods, see the Procurement of Goods page.

If you are looking to purchase services for construction, see the Procurement Overview page.

If you are looking to purchase Communication Services, these services must bee coordinated through Executive Council, Communication Services. See Executive Council's page on Communications and Print Service. 

For service contracts where the value is estimated to be more than $75,000, ministries are required to conduct a formal, open and competitive procurement process. Ministries are responsible to ensure that the various trade agreements are complied with for service contracts.  The opportunity must be advertised on the provincial tender site, SaskTenders. In addition, Ministries are required to post contract award notification including the successful supplier/s name on SaskTenders.  

Any exceptions must be in accordance with the applicable trade agreements (See FAM #4515.12 for examples of exemptions). Services more than $75,000 are subject to the terms of various trade agreements. For a full list of trade agreements and their procurement thresholds for ministries, Crown corporations and MASH, see FAM #4515.02.  The website links to the trade agreements are available on the SaskTenders website under the Reference Links tab. Ministries must report annually on service procurements completed. 

Source lists  or alternative processes may be used for service procurements under $75,000. A source list identifies suppliers of a specific service and indicates the period of time that the service is available. For service contracts valued between $25,000 and $75,000, it is recommended that a short form competition or invitational process be followed. Ministries are encouraged to advertise the opportunity on the provincial tender site SaskTenders where appropriate.

Service contracts valued at less than $25,000 may be entered into by obtaining quotes. 

All competitive procurement documents need to include a clear definition of the work to be done, scope of the work, evaluation criteria and timeframes.  For a full list of competitive document requirements and exceptions, refer to SaskTenders.  

On the SaskTenders website, under the Knowledge Centre Tab, there are Guides and various types of procurement templates to assist with the development of a competition document. Ministries are encouraged to contact Procurement Services at 306-787-1071* for their expertise and assistance.  
*Please note that this number requires 10-digit dialing. 

A contract is an agreement between two or more parties. A contract is considered binding when an offer to provide goods or services, at a price, is accepted. Ministries are responsible for contract management and for letting contracts only in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations and Treasury Board policy.  See the Financial Administration Manual, #4510 Contracts for Services which outlines the policy and procedures for managing service contracts.