Wanted: City seeks partner for safe-sex relationship

Ottawa looking to expand its options for condom suppliers for public health

Hundreds of thousands of condoms are handed out by public health every year in Ottawa and the city is considering a new partner.

Lifestyles has been the city’s supplier. But its three-year deal with the city expires at the end of 2013, so Ottawa is looking at its options.

“Going forward, we are looking at the possibility of providing a wider range of brands to better meet the needs of the community,” public health spokesman Eric Leclair said in an email.

Last year, $33,272 was spent on 708,480 condoms for Ottawans, Leclair said. That’s up from $20,263.75 for 433,910 purchased in 2011. They were of the lubricated, non-lubricated and flavoured lubricated varieties.

“Increasing condom use and access in the community is a focal part of the SexIt- Smart initiative,” Leclair said, referring to a recent public health push, which distributed 568,000 condoms in the first five months of the youth-focused campaign alone.

He said some of the reasons public health is pushing the issue is that distribution is cost-effective and condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

The birth control is given out through clinics and other partners, including post-secondary institutions.

The city is interested in finding out whether bidders could brand condoms with the campaign logo, which is “Sex It Smart“written in a cartoon condom, according to the bid information sheet issued by the city when it put out a request for standing offers earlier this month.

Other questions for companies include what added value they can offer and whether incentives or prizes are possible, which the city could use for promotion during contests or giveaways.

Before any deal is signed, the city says companies need to provide samples. Warnings, directions and other information on wrappers must include English and French.

The document says the deal will be for a year, but could be extended for two two-year terms “subject to satisfactory performance” by the company.

Although minimum orders will be for one case, the city notes “Requirements are user-driven and can only be estimated.”