In 2012, the Ministry and the K-12 sector began to explore opportunities for finding savings and efficiencies through strategic sourcing. A Procurement Working Group was established to research joint procurement opportunities. In conclusion of the analysis, the working group recommended the establishment of a procurement legal consortium (Report of the Procurement Working Group, January 2014). In order to establish a legal entity, the Service Delivery Project Steering Committee recommended an interim solution until further analysis and consultation can occur on the costs, legislative implications and governance structure of a permanent solution.
The IPE was established in March 2015. School District 36 (Surrey) volunteered to host the IPE, and was supported by the Service Delivery Project Steering Committee. The intent is to have a permanent procurement solution established in approximately 24 months.
The IPE builds on the hard work and achievements school districts have already made by sharing services and realizing administrative efficiencies. This initiative is about supporting the collaborative effort to leverage even greater resource sharing, streamlining and cost reductions.