IWK Health is a registered agency of the Nova Scotia Public Sector. As such, it must comply with the Nova Scotia Public Procurement Act (the “Act”), and all other related regional, national, and international trade agreements and other applicable legislation. The Act provides a framework for all public sector entities to engage with vendors to provide goods and services for the best value, in a fair, open, and transparent manner.
The provision of specialized quality care requires specialized, high-quality goods and services. IWK Health considers a wide range of sourcing options and evaluation parameters when making procurement decisions. Value is measured in many ways – technical features, skills and experience, purchase price, life-cycle cost considerations, delivery timeframe, servicing, vendor capacity, environmental impact, and social factors such as supporting local businesses, indigenous businesses, and awareness of forced labour risks.
The IWK Health Supply Chain team includes approximately 60 employees. It is responsible for procurement of all goods and services required to support the organization, and receipt and distribution of goods internally. IWK Health primarily leads their own procurement processes through a combination of direct solicitation, strategic partnerships with group purchasing organizations, leveraging federal and provincial standing offers, and collaboration with other public sector entities. All high-value, public solicitation documents are posted via the Nova Scotia Procurement website.
Vendors play a key role in the provision of care to patients and families. IWK Health is committed to developing mutually beneficial relationships with a wide range of vendors based on trust, teamwork, and accountability.
Prior to provision of any goods or services, vendors must ensure they have received a 10-digit purchase order number specific to the request, and that they have reviewed the Purchase Order Terms and Conditions. This key document serves as a contract to help protect both IWK Health and its vendors and helps ensure payment in a timely manner!
Please feel free to contact: procurement@iwk.nshealth.ca with any questions about existing purchase orders or contracts, or how to be considered as a vendor in the future for IWK Health.