The was first introduced in 2022 as an Act (effective April 1, 2024 for broader public sector (BPS) organizations). As of April 13, 2026, the BOBI is a requirement under the - section 4.2. This provincial legislation will impact procurement requirements for purchases under $121,200 CAD (before taxes). The BOBI applies to »ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ as a BPS organization and requires that the university give preference to Ontario businesses as part of the procurement process. The definition of an Ontario business is listed under section 6 of the BOPD.
BOBI does not override the university's requirement to engage in competitive procurement (e.g. receiving competing quotations where required by the university's Procurement Policy).
Questions? Email us at buying@queensu.ca.
What is an Ontario Business?
Ontario Business means a supplier, manufacturer or distributor of any business structure that conducts its activities on a permanent basis in Ontario. The business either has:
- its headquarters or main office in Ontario
- at least 250 full-time employees in Ontario at the time of the applicable procurement process
As permitted in the legislation, the university requires that suppliers self-attest as to whether they meet the definition of Ontario Business. This self-attestation is to be completed in the acQuire Supplier Portal.
How to Comply with BOBI:
Depending on the means of procurement, there may be slightly different requirements to demonstrate compliance with BOBI. Follow the table and guidelines below.
| Procurement Type | Total Contract Value (TCV), before tax | Means of Procurement | How to apply BOBI | BOBI exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Competitive | Under $24,999.99 CAD | One written supplier quote or invoice.
| Award to Ontario Business |
|
| Invitational Competitive | $25,000 to $74,999.99 CAD | Two written supplier quotes.
| Determine if one or more Ontario Businesses are available to meet the purchase need. Allocate a 10% preference for an Ontario Business. available on SPS SharePoint Hub. | |
| $75,000 to $121,199.99 CAD | Three written supplier quotes.
| |||
| Open Competitive | $121,200 and above | Open competitive procurement process (e.g. RFx).
| Not Applicable. | Not Applicable. |
Using your PCard:
Purchases made on your university PCard must be made from an Ontario Business unless a valid exception applies. If you purchase a good or service from a non-Ontario Business, keep the justification with your monthly reconciled credit card statement.
acQuire Payment Form:
Purchases processed on an acQuire payment form must be made from an Ontario Business unless a valid exception applies. It is recommended that »ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ users document on the payment form (via the comments), any justifications for purchasing from a non-Ontario Business.
Invitational Competitive Procurement:
BOBI provides two methods for giving preference to Ontario Businesses when seeking quotes as part of the competitive procurement requirements:
- Only invite Ontario Businesses to quote, OR
- Allocate a 10% evaluation advantage to any Ontario Business that provides a quote.
In either instance, departments are required to be fair and transparent when requesting quotes from suppliers. This includes providing suppliers with information regarding how their quotes will be evaluated when you contact them, and before any quotes are received.
Departments and/or purchasers should complete these steps before committing to a supplier.
To support »ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ users, please see the for support on soliciting quotes from suppliers that comply with BOBI.
Open Competitive Procurement:
Open competitive procurements (greater than $121,200 CAD before taxes) are not subject to BOBI and current processes (RFx) remain in place.