Success story: Advancing inclusive and sustainable procurement through the Social Procurement Program
Jan 8th, 2025 | Posted In : General Operations
The Facilities Management and Planning Department (Planning, Design, and Construction team) recently demonstrated the power of inclusive and sustainable procurement practices through a successful partnership with the Social Procurement Program and the active support of UTM Procurement.
This partnership came to life during a renovation project for the Centre for Black Excellence and Belonging, where the team required Professional Architecture Services. Guided by the principles of social procurement, the team, led by Senior Facilities Planner Johanna Stille, worked closely with UTM Procurement and the UTM Sustainability Office. These key collaborators offered invaluable guidance in utilizing the Diverse Supplier Portal and integrating sustainability goals into the process. Through this support, the team identified several qualified firms to participate in a fair and transparent Invitation to Quote process.
To ensure the supplier selection aligned with UTM’s broader goals, sustainability criteria were embedded into the evaluation framework. The statement of work for the project was meticulously crafted with UTM’s sustainability goals in mind, emphasizing a holistic approach that included equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); accessibility; sensory awareness; and biophilic design. Key elements of the design incorporated lighting, flexibility, adaptability, privacy, social interaction, comfort, safety, acoustics, eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices. The aim was to create an environment that prioritized the well-being of its occupants while maintaining a low ecological footprint.
Following a detailed review of proposals, Studio of Contemporary Architecture, an Ontario-based firm, emerged as the successful supplier. This decision not only championed inclusive and sustainable design but also aligned with the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative (BOBI), which prioritizes local businesses in procurement.
Heather Hines, director of the office of the vice-principal planning, lauded the outcome. “We are so pleased with the outcome of the procurement process. It was critical that this new space for Black community at UTM be culturally reflective with a design aesthetic to match. This initiative perfectly demonstrates the positive results that can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to inclusivity.”
This milestone underscores the significant impact of the Social Procurement Program at U of T, including its Diverse Supplier Portal, in identifying skilled suppliers from underrepresented groups while advancing sustainability and local economic growth.
The project exemplifies how strategic partnerships, inclusive tools, and sustainability-driven criteria can elevate procurement practices. The Planning, Design, and Construction team’s efforts, supported by UTM Procurement and the UTM Sustainability Office, demonstrate how social and sustainable procurement can foster opportunities, advance equity, and deliver exceptional project outcomes.
Do you have a success story to share? Contact Lisa Myre, Manager, Procurement Programs & Operations. For more information on the Social Procurement Program, please visit our website.