The following definitions have been adapted from the York University Procurement of Goods and Services Procedure. The Procedure refers to 'Consulting' and 'Non-consulting' services.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
A person or entity (other than an Employee or Student) retained for the provision of assistance to others in order to complete a required task or for the creation, installation, maintenance or repair of goods or other property.
CONSULTANT
A person or entity (other than an Employee of Student) that provides expert or strategic advice and related services for consideration and decision-making.
Purchasing services from a Consultant must be competitively bid regardless of dollar value. Engaging Independent Contractors on the other hand, follows the process outlined in the Procurement Goods and Services Procedure.
If you are unsure of the type of Service Provider you are dealing with, please contact Strategic Procurement Services.