Emergency Health Services Branch (EHSB) has concluded its initial Vendor of Record (VOR) agreements. They include signed master agreements for ambulances, patient handling equipment, oxygen delivery equipment and light rescue equipment. The attached listing identifies all vendors successfully completing this process, at this time. As other Tenders are finalized and approved, these will be added to the VOR lists as updates. As new product/service requirements are approved for suitable province wide consumption, new VOR tenders can be generated to accommodate them too. Municipalities/DSSABs are encouraged to submit requests for additions, to the ambulance and medical products/services lists, directly to EHS Facilities & Client Services and/or via the AMEMSO equipment review group.

These VOR agreements provide a full array of supplies and services to assist the needs collectively identified by municipal/DSSAB EMS operations across Ontario. They primarily consist of items listed under the Ambulance Act Equipment Schedules and patient care accessories associated with them. These agreements have been completed using the Ontario government’s tendering procedures/directives which are typical of those associated with all levels of government.

To assist you in accessing the various procurement options available in the different VOR agreements, we’ve complied some information items regarding the VOR concept and how to maximize it for your specific needs:

• Where applicable, each item will identify its individual actual Standard Number. The Standard itself will spell the minimum requirements for the specific item. You must ensure all of your Ambulances and related equipment meets minimum Standards no matter where you choose to procure products. All the VOR items listed with an applicable Standard number have been signed off by the supplier as being compliant with the requirements of their respective MOHLTC Standard.


• Whether procuring an item from the VOR agreements or other supply sources; good practice is to ensure the item meets all of your operational, financial and other applicable needs. An in depth list of such considerations can be found under the letter “M” (Medical Equipment Procurement Considerations) in the www.ambulance-transition.com website’s Library section.


• Municipalities/DSSABs have the option of either ordering directly from the noted VOR supplier or through EHS’ Facilities & Client Service section. In either case, you need to ensure allapplicable purchase order reference numbers, billing information, etc for your municipality/DSSAB is supplied. For those choosing to utilize our Customer Service desk, you simply complete our electronic order form found on the website or you can fax your request to us at (416) 327-8922. If you require further information, feel free to contact our Customer Service Liaison at either 1-800-263-7645 or (416) 326-7391.


• All procurement and financial payment/ reconciliation activities are conducted between the municipality/DSSAB and the noted supplier’s terms and conditions. EHSB can assist in resolving disputes regarding contravention of the specifics identified within each supplier’s VOR submission.


• Under the terms of the VOR agreement, pricing is subject to reductions only through the course of each calendar year of the particular agreement. There can be no price increase for the posted agreement year. At the end of each agreement year, all suppliers are provided an opportunity to “refresh” their pricing for the VOR items they provided. In addition to refreshing their pricing, suppliers will also be able to submit pricing for any possible new items being added to the individual VOR tenders.

• which are compliant with applicable minimum provincial standards
• with consistent pricing
• acquired via tendering in accordance with government recognized purchasing practices
• that ensures service review and certification requirements are consistent with peer group inspections
• which are sourced using the technical expertise of EHSB Facilities & Client Services

In addition to these benefits, requirements associated with individual and/or joint tenders are lessened at the local municipal/DSSAB level. EHS’ next developmental phase in the VOR process will enable our staff to track your order status if requested and keep you apprised of any issues pertaining to it, intervene on warranty disputes and centrally oversee all relevant authorities on common fleet/equipment matters. In turn, all of these supply/service features free up your local municipal resources for other duties.

Please look for additional direct updates or through the www.ambulance-
transition.com website.

Questions pertaining to the new VOR process can be directed to

Mike Fisher at (416) 326-7368 or Tim Cooke at (416) 326-7325, and for general customer service orders / inquiries can be directed to Dave Sprigg at (416)326-7391. We also have an Ontario toll free number at 1-800-263-7645.