Open Collections

 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Thirty-first Annual Report of the
PURCHASING COMMISSION
JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31
1973
Printed by K. M. MacDonald, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
in right of the Province of British Columbia.
1974
  Tlie Honourable David Barrett,
Minister of Finance, Victoria, B.C.
Sir: We have the honour to submit the Thirty-first Annual Report of the Purchasing Commission, covering the period January 1, 1973, to December 31, 1973.
T. L. VARDY
Chairman
L. J. WALLACE
Member
G. L. GILES
Member
  Thirty-first A
Purchasi
January 1
As stated in previous Annua
include purchases made by the 6b
purchase delegated under section 1
therefore included in the table belo
annual Report of the
ng Commission
to December 31,1973
GENERAL
. Reports, the total purchases under the Act
/isions of those departments with authority to
0 of the Act.   Records for these divisions are
w.
Number of Purchase Orders
Total Value of Purchase Orders
1972
1973
1972
1973
Education—Curriculum Resources Branch...	
Provincial Secretary—
2,401
695
2,335
581
$
6,143,532
21,219
93,047
2,816,765
70,661,823
$
5,697,512
24,003
151,329
3,110,672
76,070,881
(b) Library Development Commission.....	
186       1            228
3,909                  4,852
53,133        1        56,815
Finance—Purchasing Commission—For all departments 	
Totals	
60,324        |        64,811
i
79,736,386    |      85,054,397
1
For 1973 there is an increase of expenditure in all divisions totalling $5,318,011
or 6.66 per cent and the number of purchase orders issued increased by 4,487 or
7.44 per cent.
The total value of purchases for the year is $85,054,397.
The value of emergency purchases is included in the above figure; there is an
increase of 3,683 over the previous year, giving a total of 30,428.
The most significant feature of the year's operation has been the inflationary
trend in practically all types of commodities, the rate of increase being most noticeable in the final six months.    In general, manufacturer's inventories are depleted,
supplies are harder to obtain, and deliveries are becoming progressively prolonged
and uncertain; in simple words, business has become a sellers' market. The situation
must continue well into 1974 before improvement of consequence may be expected.
Because of inflation, arrangements have also been introduced, in conjunction
with the Comptroller-General, to increase the limit allowing purchases to be made
without the authority of a covering purchase order issued by the Purchasing Commission. The previous amount of $25 will become $40 and will be effective in the
fiscal year 1974/75.
STAFF                       .
The staff now totals 79 employees.   Increases have occurred in most departments, and this is gratifying, as a better balanced operation to cope with an increasing work load is now possible.
5    ,'■
 R 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA
Early in the new year, G. L. Giles, Deputy Minister of Public Works, was
welcomed as the replacement Member of the Commission, the position becoming
vacant on the retirement of A. E. Webb.
Two new positions for Purchasing Agents were created, one in Victoria and
one in Vancouver. The Buyer-trainees in Victoria have been increased to three, a
long-awaited need, and an organized educational programme is being followed
whereby the Purchasing Agents will benefit from the assistance the new group can
offer.
A. J. Broome was appointed as Administrative Officer. Under his direction
new routines and changes in procedures have been introduced. The Chairman is
appreciative of the response and efforts of the general staff in adapting effectively
in this regard.
BUSINESS MACHINES SERVICE DIVISION
The Division has enjoyed a busy and successful year. It is a branch which
contributes effectively in maintaining the routine needs of the business equipment
and often does not get proper recognition for this. The Chairman feels that a portion
of the report of its Supervisor, F. A. White, expresses the contribution well and it is
therefore given here verbatim. .   .
"The attached tables reflect the ever-increasing work load of this Division.
Where in 1963 the machine Inventory carried some 7000 units on file this Inventory
now records in excess of 17,000 units of all types. An increase of over 250%.
Staff increase in the same period of time from 12 to 22 equals 180%. Each
technician is carrying a heavier work load with a consequent less frequency of
preventive maintenance. Nevertheless it is interesting to note that despite this our
demand for interim repairs during the year compares favourably with 1972.
"While the Division was authorized to employ an additional 3 technicians in
1973 difficulties were encountered in recruiting of qualified personnel and resulted
in the employment of only one qualified technician, the other two positions were
filled by employment of 'trainee' technicians with some training and experience.
These men will be required to complete our training programme after which they
will be eligible for an Apprenticeship Certificate.
"During the year: 6000 field preventive maintenance inspections were carried
out, 6300 units required interim repairs either in the field or in our two service
shops, and 570 units were shop-overhauled.
"With the rapid growth of interior as well as local offices and the installation
of more difficult and time-consuming equipment to repair or ship out to our repair
shops, it is imperative that early establishment of interior service facilities at key
points be instituted. Past Government policy has prevented this as the Division
was limited in the employment and training of staff. It is estimated that 25%
of the total machine population is located east and north of Hope. Our records
show over 500 machines in the metropolitan areas of Kamloops and also Prince
George. Other large machine populations are recorded in such places as Nelson
and Prince Rupert. It is hoped therefore, that our 1974-75 estimates will include
additional staff so that we may embark on this programme in 1974.
"1973 was the 30th anniversary of this Division. The Annual Report of the
Chairman in that year referred to this division by stating: 'Machines under service
and inspection, 1032, of which 292 were in Vancouver.'
"In conclusion the writer is proud to say that he has been with the Division
since its inception, and gratified to report that the three senior staff which includes
 REPORT OF PURCHASING COMMISSION
R 7
the foreman, Mr. Neilson, and Messrs. Burt and McClure have served this Division
continuously and faithfully for 27 and 26 years respectively, being the first three
technicians employed by the Victoria Division."
The Chairman endorses the recommendation for an operational centre in the
Interior.   It is a need becoming more evident each succeeding year.
Table 1—Machines as at December 31,1972
Type of Machine
Number in
Departmental
Offices
Number in
Vocational
Schools
Number in
B.C. Institute
of Technology
Total
Number
Typewriter (32.61 per cent electric)	
Adding machines and printing calculators 	
Dictation/transcription equipment and tape recorders-
Miscellaneous equipment—posting, bookkeeping, cash
registers, etc _  	
Totals as at December 31,1972	
Percentage increases over 1971	
5,814
2,775
2,466
1,218
887
359
297
351
12,273
10.51
1,894
9.60
121
454
89
131
795
15.05
6,822
3,588
2,852
1,700
14,962
10.63
Table 2—Machines as at December 31,1973
Typewriters (38.29 per cent electric).
Adding and calculating machines .
Dictation/transcription equipment and tape recorders...
Miscellaneous equipment—posting, bookkeeping, cash
registers, duplicators, etc  	
Total as at December 31, 1973-
Percentage increases in 12 months	
6,521 |
3,394 |
3,084
I
1,443        |
894
391
358
353
153
483
90
132
14,442
17.67
I
1,996
5
858
7,568
4,268
3,532
1,928
17,296
15.59
At a cost of $1,004,161, a total of 2,616 new machines (all types) has been
purchased. Of these the distribution has been 90 per cent to Government offices
and the balance to vocational schools and B.C. Institute of Technology.
THE VANCOUVER OFFICE
Under the guiding hand of F. H. Leonard, the Vancouver Office has had a
successful year. Reorganization of staff plus the addition of an extra Purchasing
Agent and clerical help has allowed an increased output to keep pace with demands.
Because of the increase in staff, quarters are cramped and a request has been made
to the Department of Public Works for larger space, and hopefully it will be
provided during 1974.
The staff, in total, is now 11 in the procurement division and nine in the
business machines servicing section. The over-all increase is five.
THE SURPLUS MATERIALS SECTION
The section has operated under similar conditions outlined in the last Report;
it has enjoyed a busier year and the total funds returned to Consolidated Revenue
have increased by 130 per cent.
Surplus Disposal
Department of Highways— $
(a) Equipment and scrap  284,808
(b) Buildings     43,815
Other departments      47,217
375,840
 R 8 .       . "   . BRITISH COLUMBIA
LANGFORD WAREHOUSE
The warehouse which is located at 2914 Jacklin Road, Victoria, has met
satisfactorily the demands made upon it. As already substitute materials are having
to be stockpiled because of the inability of the market to supply to specification,
1974 will be even more demanding. The warehouse function is becoming increasingly important as lead time obtained by its pre-planning allows consultation with
the affected departments, hopefully to prevent further delays in equipping the parties
at the time placement in the field is due.
A much needed facility has been obtained this year—the replacement of an
obsolete high-lift fork truck, gas operated, by an electric-type unit.
The value of the goods processed during the year corresponds to that of the
previous year, which was the highest accommodated by the warehouse. The new
figure is $721,639 and is $5,148 below last year. The operating vote for the warehouse remains at $10 annually.
CONCLUSION
The Commission gratefully acknowledges the specialized purchasing done
under delegated authority by the Queen's Printer, the Director of the Curriculum
Resources Branch, the Provincial Librarian and Archivist, and the Superintendent
of the Library Development Commission.
Printed by K. M. MacDonald, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
in right of the Province of British Columbia.
1974
180-274-2094