Fonds paa-6563 - Alberta Government Purchasing Agency sous-fonds

Dates of Founding and/or Dissolution :In 1939 the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency was created. Functional Responsibility: The Alberta Government Purchasing Agency was created to form a part of a department as seen in The Alberta Government Purchasing Agency Act (S.A. Chapter 7, 1939). The Agency functioned to acquire by purchase or otherwise all supplies which any Department required. All departmental purchases related to supplies were made through the Agency other than by the exceptions set out in the Act. The Agency was directed by the enabling legislation to acquire supplies produced or manufactured in the Province of Alberta or sold by persons carrying on business in the Province whenever practical to do so. The Agency was under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Treasurer from its inception until 1975. In 1975, the Department of Government Services was created (S.A. Chapter 11, 1975). With this restructuring of Government, the Government Purchasing Agency, Central Mail and Courier Services were transferred from Treasury to Alberta Government Services. In 1976, an amendment to The Government Services Act repealed The Alberta Government Purchasing Agency Act. The amendment gave the Department of Government Services the function of the Purchasing Agency and a Director of Purchases. The Purchasing Branch continued to represent the Government in transactions with the private sector for the acquisition of merchandise and services. In 1982, the department of Government Services merged with the functions of public works from the Department of Housing and Public Works to form the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services. In 1983 the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services Act (S.A. Chapter D-25.2, 1983) repealed The Government Services Act. Predecessor and Successor Bodies: The function of central purchasing first appeared in 1925when the Provincial Treasurer supervised governmental purchases. The first official mention of the purchasing branch was Acting Supervisor of Purchases. Although the Purchasing Agency was repealed by the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services Act, the function was continued. The Department of Public Works, Supply and Services Act made the Minister of the Department responsible for the acquisition and provision of all supplies that were required by the departments. Every department under this legislation was required to procure its supplies through the Minister. In 2000, the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services merged with the Department of Transportation and Utilities to form Alberta Infrastructure. The function of the Purchasing Branch was altered when Alberta Infrastructure enhanced government procurement practice. The Supply Management Branch provided centralized purchasing of goods and associated services. The central procurement services of the Supply Management Branch are provided by its Procurement Section. The Procurement Section acquires goods over $10,000 required by government departments and establishes Standing Offers for common requirements. Effective April 1, 2002, responsibility for the mandate of Supply Management Branch was transferred from Alberta Infrastructure to Alberta Government Services, Alberta Corporate Service Centre. Administrative Relationships: The Lieutenant Governor in Council designated which department the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency would form a part of and appointed the Director of Purchases to head the Agency. Each Department had an Advisory Purchasing Committee, which determined the necessity for the acquisition of any supplies for the Department. The approval of the Committee was necessary to allow for the purchase of supplies by the Agency. The Lieutenant Governor in Council by Order in Council could allow a Department to make designated purchases. The Director of the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency could permit any Department to acquire any supplies that can be acquired at a lower cost by reason of transportation costs or for any other reason. The Director, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council had the power to make regulations regarding the administration and management of acquisition and purchasing. Under the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services Act, the Minister was charged with many of the duties the Director of Purchases had in previous legislation. The Lieutenant Governor in Council could, by regulation, provide for the acquisition of supplies other than through the Minister. Administrative Structure: The enactment of the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency Act in 1939 gave the existing branch structure. The Act allowed for the appointment of a director and the management and control of the Agency. In 1976, the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency became the Purchasing Branch of Government Services under the Supply Division headed by a Director of Purchases. In 1983, the Purchasing Branch became part of the Procurement Division of the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services. The Department of Public Works, Supply and Services reorganized and streamlined in 1994. The Purchasing Branch became part of the Supply Division under Information Technology and Supply. Names of the Corporate bodies: The enabling legislation named the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency. In 1976 the Alberta Government Purchasing Agency became the Purchasing Branch as seen in annual reports for Alberta Government Services. It continued as the Purchasing Branch under the Department of Public Works, Supply and Services. Names of Chief Officers: Director of Purchases George A. Clash [1941]-[1947]; John Blair* [1955]-1957; Bruce L. McLean 1958-[1977]; L. A. Schuck [1978]-1980; Fred M. Husband 1981-1982; M. J. Long 1983-[1984]