Report on an Inquiry for Prohibited Communications on a Request for Proposal

However, the Lobbying By-law restricts communications during an active procurement to only those permitted by the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 195, Purchasing (the "Purchasing By-law"), applicable procurement policies and procurement documents (solicitations). From the time the solicitation is issued, through to the time of the formal acceptance of a bid, and the resulting signed written contract between the City and the successful supplier (the "Blackout Period"), communications regarding the procurement are restricted to the Chief Purchasing Official (the "CPO") or the employee specifically designated for that purpose in the solicitation (the "City Contact"). Communications with any public office holder, other than the CPO or the City Contact during the Blackout Period, are contraventions of the Lobbying By-law. Compliance with the Lobbying By-law, and all relevant procurement rules are required to preserve both lobbying transparency and the integrity of the City's procurement processes.