The Introduction to Construction is a mandatory course to be eligible to write the Principles Exam as part of the Principles Certificate program. The course content has been updated to ensure that learners receive current information related to construction procurement in today’s environment. This course provides a step-by-step description of the process to retain a general contractor for construction using the design/bid/build contract model and stipulated price contract.
Instructors: Carl Bonitto, CSCMP, NISCL-CSCL
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Explain how “improvement” projects carried out in the province of Ontario are subject to the Construction Act
• Describe the type of contract method most commonly used for a construction project; including control, risk and cost considerations
• Describe the types of pricing structures that can be used for a construction project
• Outline many of the important factors to consider when engaging a contractor
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom virtual learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Tuesday, December 9th at 6:00pm - 9:00pm
AND
Wednesday, December 10th at 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete the day after the registration deadline, December 3. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
OPBA Principles Program seminars are designed for student participation. In order to get the most out of the session and ensure two-way discussion, students are encouraged to fully participate by having camera and microphone on during the virtual session, or to actively participate in chat where access to a A/V equipment is not possible.
Students are also encouraged to maintain a respectful learning environment by minimizing multi-tasking distractions, and background noise. Please ensure mobile phones and computer notifications are off or muted, and place yourself on mute until you want to, or are called upon, to speak.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Attendance Credit: Six (6) contact hours. Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Cancellations: Course fees are nontransferable to other courses. Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancelations and/or refunds.
December 11, 2025
10 AM - 11 AM ET
Virtual Event Registration closes December 9, 2025
What if public-sector buyers could strengthen their local economies while remaining fully compliant — without adding workload or extending timelines?
This session answers that question by unpacking how Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) leverage nationally scoped contracts to drive meaningful benefits at the local level. Participants will explore how GPOs support regional suppliers, create opportunities for local jobs, and ease administrative pressures on procurement teams.
Attendees will gain practical insights into how GPOs can complement existing procurement strategies and help organizations meet community, economic development, and policy objectives — all while maintaining fairness, openness, and transparency.
Presenter: Sandra Lisi, Vice President Supplier Engagement — Kinetic GPO
Sandra is a seasoned procurement professional with over two decades of distinguished experience in the public and private sectors. Renowned for her strategic acumen, innovative thinking, and collaborative approach she brings a wealth of knowledge to the Kinetic GPO team as Vice President of Supplier Engagement.
As the Director of Purchasing Client Services at the City of Toronto and Interim Chief Procurement Officer, Sandra led a dynamic team of procurement professionals. She created and implemented the City's category management and strategic sourcing practice, which changed the procurement culture from a buying function to a more strategic approach and partnership with City divisions, Agencies and Boards. Her tenure at the City underscored her exceptional leadership skills and her ability to navigate complex procurement landscapes and deliver impactful results in a high-stakes environment.
Before her role at the City of Toronto, Sandra honed her skills at BMO, where she served as the Director of Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in shaping the bank's procurement strategies and forging strong partnerships with suppliers to drive operational efficiency and cost savings.
Sandra is also the Founder of a not-for-profit organization that supports women and children who are victims of domestic violence living in Ontario shelters.
Course Access: January 1 - January 31, 2026 Mandatory Live Zoom Session:Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 5:30pm - 8:30pm ET Registration Deadline: December 19, 2025
Delivery Format: Self-paced online + mandatory live Zoom session
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is delivered through OPBA’s Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL) using the Brightspace learning platform.
If this is your first course with PPLL, you’ll receive an email with login instructions after registration closes on August 25. If you’ve already taken a course through PPLL, you’ll use your existing login credentials to access the platform.
This is a blended learning experience, combining self-directed online learning with a live instructor-led session. You’ll work through readings, quizzes, and assignments at your own pace throughout the month. These tasks will all have deadlines assigned that will be mandatory to meet in order to successfully complete this course.
A mandatory live Zoom session will take place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 5:30pm - 8:30pm ET. Attendance is required to complete the course and earn your certificate.
Zoom link will be sent the week before the session.
This course is the pre-requisite for the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, giving an introduction to policy and procedures, authority and agency, the public purchasing cycle and other aspects of the function of purchasing. Candidates will be given an overview of legal considerations purchasing staff need to know when developing and handling bid documents, deciding the best procurement option (tender and RFP processes), as well as discuss centralized versus decentralized procurement systems.
Instructor: Marie Kavanagh, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of public procurement, and the differences from the private sector
• Explain the importance of developing clear purchasing policies and procedures
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a centralized and decentralized purchasing organization structure
• Outline the seven ’R’s of public purchasing and the steps associated with the public purchasing cycle
• Describe the legalities associated with public purchasing
COURSE LEARNING MATERIALS
You do not need any course materials in advance, everything required to support your learning with this course will be accessed in the learning platform.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Cancellations: In writing only, up to ten (10) business days before the event, after which we regret that we cannot refund your registration fee.
Course Access: January 1 – 31, 2026 Mandatory Live Zoom Session:Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 5:30pm - 9:00pm ET Registration Deadline: December 19, 2025
Delivery Format: Self-paced online + mandatory live Zoom session
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is delivered through OPBA’s Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL) using the Brightspace learning platform.
If this is your first course with PPLL, you’ll receive an email with login instructions after registration closes on September 24. If you’ve already taken a course through PPLL, you’ll use your existing login credentials to access the platform.
This is a blended learning experience, combining self-directed online learning with a live instructor-led session. You’ll work through readings, quizzes, and assignments at your own pace throughout the month. These tasks will all have deadlines assigned that will be mandatory to meet in order to successfully complete this course.
A mandatory live Zoom session will take place on Thursday, January 29 at 5:30pm - 9:00pm ETâ. Attendance is required to complete the course and earn your certificate.
Zoom link will be sent the week before the session.
This course examines the various issues with managing risk when purchasing goods and services in the public sector. Candidates are given an overview of common risk issues, including those of ownership and copyright, the right to privacy, competitive bidding irregularities, occupational health and safety, environmental responsibilities and accountability in terms of personal and corporate liability.
Instructor: Carl Bonitto, CPPO, CPPB
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Define risk management
• Describe eight major risk management issues of importance for public procurement professionals
• Outline three basic risk management techniques: avoiding, managing and transferring risk
• Explain the types of insurance and bonds a public agency will require or may request from a vendor
• Describe the six components to corporate risk management
• Better understand all of the roles involved in managing risk in your organization
COURSE LEARNING MATERIALS
You do not need any course materials in advance, everything required to support your learning with this course will be accessed in the learning platform.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Cancellations: In writing only, up to ten (10) business days before the event, after which we regret that we cannot refund your registration fee.
January 27 - 28, 2026
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Virtual Learning
Registration closesTuesday, January 20, 2026
DESCRIPTION
This course is delivered via the Zoom delivery method, happening in two (2) three 3-hour sessions.
The Advanced Procurement for Construction course is for procurement professionals in the public sector who are called upon for their expertise in developing and administering large, sometimes complex procurement for construction. This course is part of OPBA's Public Procurement Specialties (PPS).
Although the Introduction to Construction is not a pre-requisite for the Advanced Construction course, it is strongly advised that learners have experience in construction procurement. The Advanced course qualifies as one of the two additional courses required to be eligible to write the Principles exam. Learners do not have to be enrolled in the Principles Certificate program to take this course.
Instructor: Victoria Mirlocca, Q.Arb, CPPB, C.Mgr., C.I.M., NIGP-CPP, CPSD
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Explain many of the pre-construction activities and activities that need to be addressed during a construction project: i.e., studies, assessments and surveys
• Explore a variety of sustainability considerations; including LEED
• Identify the phases of a construction project
• Describe the types of contract methods that can be used for a construction project; including control, risk and cost considerations
• Explain the roles and responsibilities the Prime Consultant and the Construction Manager and their relationships to the Owner
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom virtual learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Tuesday, January 27 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm ET
AND
Wednesday, January 28 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm ET
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete approximately 4 business days (Jan. 21) before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
OPBA Principles Program seminars are designed for student participation. In order to get the most out of the session and ensure two-way discussion, students are encouraged to fully participate by having camera and microphone on during the virtual session, or to actively participate in chat where access to a A/V equipment is not possible.
Students are also encouraged to maintain a respectful learning environment by minimizing multi-tasking distractions, and background noise. Please ensure mobile phones and computer notifications are off or muted, and place yourself on mute until you want to, or are called upon, to speak.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Attendance Credit: Six (6) contact hours. Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
Program Textbook: ** Learners can purchase the updated textbooks for each construction course, which are available for purchase in the OPBA Store.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Cancellations: In writing only, up to ten (10) business days before the event, after which we regret that we cannot refund your registration fee. Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancellations and/or refunds.
Course Access: February 1 – 28, 2026 Mandatory Live Zoom Session:Friday, February 27 | 12:00pm - 3:00pm ET Registration Deadline: January 23, 2026
Delivery Format: Self-paced online + mandatory live Zoom session
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is delivered through OPBA’s Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL) using the Brightspace learning platform.
If this is your first course with PPLL, you’ll receive an email with login instructions after registration closes on September 24. If you’ve already taken a course through PPLL, you’ll use your existing login credentials to access the platform.
This is a blended learning experience, combining self-directed online learning with a live instructor-led session. You’ll work through readings, quizzes, and assignments at your own pace throughout the month. The deadlines you will need to meet will fall on February 7th, February 14th, February 21st and February 28th.
A mandatory live Zoom session will take place on Friday, February 27 at 12:00pm - 3:00pm ETâ. Attendance is required to complete the course and earn your certificate.
Zoom link will be provided within your course.
This course gives a detailed examination of the tendering & request for proposal processes. It includes concepts, issues and the resolution of issues relating to preparing and issuing the procurement documents as well as the ultimate receiving, opening and checking of bids. Participants will be given an overview of the various components comprising tenders and request for proposals documents and the differences of each.
Instructor: Victoria Mirlocca, Q.Arb, CPPB, C.Mgr., C.I.M., NIGP-CPP, CPSD
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Define competitive bidding and its basic elements
• Describe the many procurement document formats and their use
• Explain a variety of bidder candidacy restrictions
• Outline the aspects associated with the development of a bid document
• Explain the purpose of pre-bid meetings; along with when to use them effectively and pitfalls to watch for
• Outline the alternatives to competitive bidding
COURSE LEARNING MATERIALS
You do not need any course materials in advance, everything required to support your learning with this course will be accessed in the learning platform.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Course Access: February 1 – 28, 2026 Mandatory Live Zoom Session:Thursday, February 26 | 5:30pm - 8:30pm ET Registration Deadline: January 23, 2026
Delivery Format: Self-paced online + mandatory live Zoom session
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is delivered through OPBA’s Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL) using the Brightspace learning platform.
If this is your first course with PPLL, you’ll receive an email with login instructions after registration closes on January 23. If you’ve already taken a course through PPLL, you’ll use your existing login credentials to access the platform.
This is a blended learning experience, combining self-directed online learning with a live instructor-led session. You’ll work through readings, quizzes, and assignments at your own pace throughout the month. The deadlines you will need to meet will fall on February 7th, February 14th, February 21st and February 28th.
A mandatory live Zoom session will take place on Thursday, February 26 | 5:30pm - 8:30pm ET. Attendance is required to complete the course and earn your certificate.
Zoom link will be available within the course.
In this course the mysteries of the law and the relationship of the procurement agent to it are unraveled in a concise and easy to understand format. Candidates are given an overview of the issues and responsibilities related to entering into a legal contract as well as determining what comprises a contract. Other topics discussed are the Law of Agency, Contract Law, Laws of Competitive Bidding, comments on various Acts, bonding and alternatives to bonding.
Instructor: Michelle Trudel, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Explain the Law of Agency and the duties of the three parties involved in an agency relationship
• Describe the six essential elements to create a binding, valid contract
• Give a detailed description of when Contracts A and B are formed and their importance to Procurement Law
• Describe the duty of full disclosure and the duty of fairness and good faith
• Outline the key provisions of several significant cases, major Acts and Trade Agreements affecting public purchasing
COURSE LEARNING MATERIALS
You do not need any course materials in advance, everything required to support your learning with this course will be accessed in the learning platform.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
