Directive on acquisition cards purchases
1. Effective date
The Directive takes effect on July 3, 2015.
2. Application
This Directive applies to all government departments and agencies that have a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and the Integrity provisions. It applies to all purchases made through acquisition cards, regardless of monetary amount.
3. Context
On July 3, 2015, following a commitment made in Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government of Canada introduced a new government-wide Integrity Regime. The Integrity Regime is governed by the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and Integrity provisions.
The Ineligibility and Suspension Policy enables the Minister of Public Works and Government Services (PWGS) to issue Directives excluding different classes of contracts/real property transactions.
4. Directive statement
4.1 Objective
To exclude purchases made through acquisition cards, regardless of monetary amount, from the application of the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and Integrity provisions.
4.2 Expected results
- Administrative burden associated with applying the Integrity Regime to acquisition card purchases, which are typically low value and routine (i.e. travel, office supplies, and training), is eliminated.
- This includes eliminating verification requests against overlapping transactions (i.e. transactions with a small number of pre-approved providers).
- Continuity is maintained between the new Integrity Regime and the previous Integrity Framework, which excluded acquisition cards from application.
5. Definitions
5.1 Acquisition cards
An acquisition card is a charge card issued under a contract between card issuers and the Government of Canada for the procurement and the payment of goods and services that are authorized official government business transactions.
6. Requirements
The Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and Integrity provisions are not required to apply to acquisition card purchases.
7. Inquiries
If you have questions related to this Directive, please contact the Integrity Regime Team:
- Toll free:
- 1-844-705-2084
- Email:
- pwgsc.o.integrity-tpsgc.o.integrite@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca