Procurement | City of Kawartha Lakes

The procurement department of the City of Kawartha Lakes is responsible for the acquisition of goods, services, and construction projects on behalf of the City. We promote open, fair and transparent competitive bidding opportunities and support local economic development.

What we buy:

The City of Kawartha Lakes procures a wide variety of goods and services including:

Construction and Infrastructure Projects
Equipment, Tools and Vehicles
Facility Maintenance & Repair
Professional and Consulting Services
Information Technology Solutions
Office Supplies, Furniture and more

Bids and Tenders

On our Bids & Tenders landing page, click create an account.

You will be asked to input your organization details. This includes Company Name, Address, Website, Category, Contact, etc.

Once you are registered, you will be able to access all of the City’s current opportunities, access bid details, documents, submit questions and submit bids.

To create a free account to view the documents before you purchase them, follow the link to set up a free account on Bids and Tenders

If you have any issues please contact Bids and Tenders Technical Support support@bidsandtenders.ca

Bids and Tenders Page

Current Procurement Opportunities

Co-operative Purchases

The City of Kawartha Lakes intends to participate in one or more procurement opportunities that may be posted by the following buying groups for the period of January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025:

For more information and access to any current procurement requests, please refer to the buying group's website.

Vendor Management Program

The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to the provision of a safe and healthy work environment for its employees, contractors and visitors. To promote this type of environment, the City’s Vendor Management Program outlines the roles and responsibilities of City staff and vendors; criteria and processes for performance evaluation; and regulations and standards for environmental, health and safety.

The program’s main goal is to help promote open communication between the City and vendors regarding performance on a project.

Insurance and WSIB:

Minimum insurance requirements for suppliers wishing to do business with the City are:

A current, valid, Certificate of Insurance:

Commercial General Liability with a minimum of $2,000,000
Automobile Liability (owned and non-owned) with a minimum of $2,000,000

The certificate of insurance must name the Corporation of the City of Kawartha

Projects may have different insurance requirements depending on the risk. Please read the documents carefully and ask questions if required.

A valid WSIB clearance certificate is also required from those companies that are not exempt. For further information on WSIB please refer to WSIB Clearance Certificate FAQ’s.

For more information contact us directly at vendors@kawarthalakes.ca

How can I Do Business With the City

Understand the Municipality’s Needs and Priorities
• Review the City’s strategic plan and budgets— these documents show what
projects and purchases are planned for the year.
• Follow City council meetings or watch recordings — you’ll learn what issues and
departments are getting attention (e.g., infrastructure, sustainability, community
services).
• Read press releases and local news — they highlight new initiatives and grant
funding opportunities where your business might fit in.
• Check on the City’s Bids & Tenders Landing page frequently to see what
opportunities are available
• Attend vendor outreach events, or chamber of commerce meetings.
• Get to know procurement officers and department heads.

How do I Submit a Bid?

Follow the bid instructions carefully. Read the entire solicitation (scope, timeline
and evaluation criteria).
• Attend site meetings (sometimes mandatory).
• Submit your proposal before the deadline — late submissions will be rejected.
Your proposal should:
• Address all requested items
• Be priced competitively
• Include required certifications, forms, and signatures
Types of solicitations you may see:
• RFP (Request for Proposal) – for complex services or projects
• RFHSQ (Request for High Score Quotation) – This is a hybrid model where it
combines pricing is the major criteria, but there are some other criteria required
• RFSQ (Request for Supplier Qualifications) – often for professional services
or larger construction projects
• RFQ (Request for Quotation) – for goods or straightforward services

If I want to bid on lower dollar value procurement, how can I do that?

Get to know the Departments that would utilize your services.
• Offer pilot projects, free demos, or samples to show quality and reliability.
• Provide educational sessions or workshops on your expertise (e.g., sustainability
practices, safety training).
• Share success stories or testimonials from nearby cities, schools, or non-profits.
Be a Helpful Resource, Not Just a Seller. Municipal employee’s value vendors who
help them solve problems, not just sell products.
Things to consider:
• Provide industry insights or updates on new technology relevant to the
department.
• Offer your expert advice.
• Stay consistent: send periodic updates, but keep it informative and respectful
(not pushy sales).
Collaborate with Prime Contractors or Local Partners. If direct contracting isn’t
possible, you can subcontract with larger firms already doing municipal work.
• Monitor the City’s Bids & Tenders Landing page where you can see companies
that may be bidding on a project requiring a service you provide. Reach out to
offer your services.
• Attend site meetings (open to the public) to meet general contractors and City
staff to introduce your company.
• Partner with local non-profits or community organizations that already have
municipal relationships.
Be Patient and Persistent:
Municipal relationships grow slowly. Many vendors build credibility over months or
years by consistently showing up, contributing to the community, and delivering on
promises.