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Using a corporate supply arrangement or standing arrangement

Last updated on August 12, 2025

Corporate supply arrangements (CSA) and standing arrangements are contract options that may be available for your purchase. If an existing CSA or standing arrangement will meet your purchasing needs, you must use it.  

View the contract options for CAS and SA at-a-glance (PDF, 108.3KB). 

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Standing Arrangement

A standing arrangement is a contract with one or more suppliers for specific goods or services available only to the ministry or ministries identified in the standing arrangement. If you want to use a standing arrangement, contact the ministry owner directly.   

Recommended when 

  • You know the type of goods or services you may need but are not sure how much, or if, or when you need them 
  • You want a simple and fast mechanism to order what you need 

Why use a standing arrangement? 

  • The solicitation to establish the contract is complete, so the time and effort to purchase is reduced  
  • The ordering process follows the method as described in the request for standing arrangement (RSA) 
  • Unit pricing is certain, though it may be subject to periodic price changes 
  • You can place orders for goods or services as you need them 
  • There may be multiple suppliers with a standing arrangement for the same services, increasing the chance that one will be able to meet your needs 

Considerations 

  • If there are multiple suppliers with standing arrangements for the same goods or services, you must use the specified method for selecting a supplier 
  • You can only order what is specified in the contract, regardless of anything else the supplier may sell 
  • Only the ministry(ies) that enter into the contract can order from the standing arrangement 

Timeline 

  • Varies depending on the established ordering process 

Next steps 

  • Contact the ministry owner of the standing arrangement you want to use
 

Corporate Supply Arrangement 

A corporate supply arrangement (CSA) is a contract with one or more suppliers for specific goods or services available to all ministries and select broader public sector organizations. A CSA must be used if one is available that meets your needs. See the Goods and Services Catalogue for available CSAs. 

Recommended for 

  • You know the type of goods or services you may need but are not sure how much 
  • You want access to multiple suppliers, goods, or services in a category 

Why use a CSA? 

  • The solicitation to establish the contract is complete, so the time and effort to purchase is reduced  
  • You can place orders as you need them  
  • CSAs provide access to commonly needed goods and services across the public service 

Considerations 

  • To order from the CSA, you must follow the identified process, and the successful supplier must provide the goods or services at the price listed 
  • You can only order what is specified in the CSA, regardless of anything else the supplier may sell 
  • CSAs may or may not require a competitive process to select a supplier 
  • Suppliers have agreed to all terms, conditions, and processes of the CSA 
  • You have limited ability to negotiate changes when finalizing the contract 
  • If you use a competitive process and the successful submission exceeds the available budget, you must either find additional funding and award at the price listed or cancel the competition 

Timeline 

  • The process for ordering from each CSA may varies. See the CSA you want to use for more information. 

Next steps