Solicitation options for a list of qualified suppliers

The SURFQ is a process that creates a list of suppliers that can be used only once. It can be used for solicitations in any amount and evaluates suppliers on multiple criteria. 

Recommended for 

• Procurements that will interest many suppliers and you want to narrow the pool 
• Complicated procurements that need robust evaluation to select the best supplier 

Why use the SURFQ? 

• The single-use list can help you identify the suppliers that are most qualified for your specific procurement  
• In Stage 1, you can evaluate multiple criteria, not including price 
• The resulting list reduces the number of suppliers you need to invite to compete on the secondary solicitation 
• You can add social and environmental evaluation criteria to this solicitation option. Learn more about social purchasing and the Guidelines for Environmentally Responsible Procurement (GERP)

Considerations 

• The list is valid only for the procurement indicated in the SURFQ and cannot be used for other procurements 
• New suppliers cannot be added once Stage 1 is complete  

Timelines and BC Bid requirements 

• 4-9 months from planning to an established list 
• Once the list is established, additional time is required for the solicitation process to select a qualified supplier 
• The SURFQ must be posted to BC Bid for a minimum of 40 calendar days, unless specific circumstances apply 

Contract options 

• SURFQ does not create a contract. The contract form will be identified in the subsequent solicitation  

Next steps 

• Corporate SURFQ template is available on BC Procurement Resources 

The MULRFQ process creates a list of suppliers that can be used as often as needed to procure specific services over a set period. It can be used to run as many procurements as you require and evaluates submissions based on multiple criteria. 

If a corporate supply arrangement (CSA), multi-use list, standing arrangement (SA), or other existing contract meets the business need, you must use it as required by Procurement Policy, policies 27 and 28. 

Recommended for 

• Making repeat purchases of comparable services when you are not sure how much you need or how often 

Why use the MULRFQ? 

• The MULRFQ permits new suppliers to qualify for the list any time until the MULRFQ is terminated 
• The list allows you to target a specific group of suppliers who are pre-qualified 
• In Stage 1, you can evaluate multiple criteria, not including price 
• You can add social and environmental evaluation criteria to this solicitation option. Learn more about social purchasing and the Guidelines for Environmentally Responsible Procurement (GERP) 

Considerations 

• The multi-use list created by this process will be used when it meets your business needs 
• The MULRFQ is posted openly to BC Bid for the life of the list to allow new suppliers to apply, therefore requiring administrative effort in evaluating responses, managing the list, and adding new suppliers that qualify 
• Suppliers can submit a new response if their first submission was unsuccessful 
• Pricing is not collected when creating the list, as pricing fluctuates or is dependent on the specifics of the purchase (e.g. time of year, amount ordered, timelines, etc.) 
• The subsequent solicitation (competition notice) process outlined in the MULRFQ template must be followed 
• Some suppliers may not be interested in being on a list of qualified suppliers, as there is no guarantee of a purchase 

Timelines and BC Bid requirements 

• 4-9 months from planning to establishing a list  
• Once the list is established, the additional time required to select a qualified supplier may vary depending on the competition notice process for each solicitation 
• The MULRFQ must be open for a minimum of 40 calendar days for the initial intake of suppliers, unless specific circumstances apply 

Contract options 

• MULRFQ does not create a contract. The contract form will be identified in the subsequent solicitation.  

Next steps 

• Corporate MULRFQ template is available on BC Procurement Resources