Registering as a Diverse Vendor or Social Enterprise

Purpose

As part of our Social Procurement initiative York University is interested in procuring goods and services from organizations who positively impact the social well being of our neighbouring communities.Social procurement considers how the process of buying goods and services can positively impact the social well-being of our surrounding communities by reducing poverty, promoting economic and social inclusion, supporting local economic development and social enterprise. The Social Procurement Policy supports York’s foundational pillars of accessibility, connectedness, excellence and impact, and reflects our values as a University.

Social Procurement Opportunity

York is building a new campus in Markham Centre to meet York Region’s education, research, and innovation needs. 

The new campus location will contribute to shaping the growth in York Region and its construction and operation will support a healthy community, environment and economy. 

The first phase of the project will involve the construction of a new 400,000 square-foot campus and will accommodate approximately 4200 students. The new campus will offer programs centered on technology and entrepreneurship. Undergraduate degrees and certificates will be complemented by professional, course-based master’s degree options, and shorter credentials offered to those engaged in life-long learning and reskilling to fuel economic competitiveness in Markham, York Region, and throughout Ontario. 

As an anchor institution, York is committed to supporting its local communities by providing concrete vendor and employment opportunities in the construction of the campus. The Markham campus expansion project provides a significant opportunity for York to deliver on this commitment. York University is therefore inviting qualified local social enterprises, diverse suppliers and other service providers to register using the accreditation questionnaire below to supply goods and services on this project.

First, you must qualify according to York University’s criteria as outlined in the Social Procurement Policy. Only certified diverse suppliers and/or social enterprise vendors that have been recognized by a vendor certification organization listed below may register.

To be certified by a vendor certification organization as a diverse vendor the business needs to be more than 51% (majority) owned, managed and controlled by persons belonging to an equity-seeking community.

To be certified by a vendor certification organization as a social enterprise the business needs to demonstrate that the primary purpose is to create social, environmental or cultural value and impact, or where more than 51% of the persons who are full-time equivalent employees are participating in or have completed transitional employment training, and experience economic disadvantage.

The construction period for this project is from Summer 2020 to Summer 2023. Services to be provided for on this project include, but not limited to: 

• Skilled Construction Labour 
• Unskilled  Construction Labour 
• Building Material Supply 
• Safety Equipment Supply 
• Equipment Rentals 
• Printing Services 
• Catering Services 
• Cleaning Services 

Should there be a capacity issue in a particular service/commodity within the York region York University will reach out to other certified diverse suppliers and/or social enterprise vendors outside the preferred geographic area.

How to Register

If this project fits with your organization and you can demonstrate how you will partner with York to create a healthy community for Markham Centre and York Region, please start the registration process by completing the Accreditation Questionnaire.

Getting Certified

York University requires certification of diverse suppliers and social enterprise vendors through established non-profit supplier certification organizations such as:

• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
• Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
• Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE)
• Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 
• Buy Social Canada (Social Enterprise Certification)
• Inclusive Workplace Supply Council of Canada

Note: Membership fees may apply. Based on surveyed responses from the certifying bodies, certification for applicable businesses takes approximately 1-2 weeks but may take longer depending on the complexity of the case. For more information, please contact the relevant certifying body.

Contact Us

Have questions? Contact Dexter King, Director, Procurement Services, York University at dking@yorku.ca.