Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. A competitive process will in fact be implemented for relocation services.

Government Operations committee  We have pointed out on a number of occasions all of the industry activities. We put them out on all of the forums that we have. We do a fair amount of industry consultation on every procurement that we run. We have also done a huge number of industry engagements with small and medium-sized enterprises, and we can certainly provide you with the information in relation to the outreach activities and the engagement we do, because I think it would support the statements and our commitments to that effect.

Government Operations committee  The target was set because we wanted to make sure that people were using the instruments that we were establishing. This is based on volume and practice. We've given ourselves a bit of a stretch goal. At 15%, it may not seem to be significant to have all of that done through the supply arrangements and the standing offers, but we thought that was a fairly significant stretch for us to achieve, because these are pre-competed instruments that allow and simplify the processes government departments and agencies use.

Government Operations committee  I don't think we would consider 100% to be achievable. There are a number of requirements or situations where there is a sole supplier, a national security requirement, or an operational requirement. Achieving 100% competitive would not be practicable under those circumstances.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for those seven questions.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. When we look at the main estimates, we also look at the comparison of total estimates throughout 2013. When main estimates are produced, they often don't take into account in-year changes or increases. So during the course of the year in 2013, we did get a number of increases to our appropriations, as I mentioned in my remarks, for example, for the parliamentary precinct.

Government Operations committee  With regard to the issue around complex procurements, the ones that are the most challenging often get the most attention. We do quite a few large procurements quite effectively, within a 24-month to 36-month procurement timeframe. We complete them and not a lot of people know about it because they happened and there were no process issues or elements around them.

Government Operations committee  One of the elements with that particular procurement was that a number of the technical requirements were not met. It is not that the process in and of itself was not understood. We have been able, in the refresh of that procurement, which was done fairly quickly, to offer an opportunity for the procurement officers to contact the companies and require additional information on technical elements so that we are not faced with this situation.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning. It is a pleasure to appear before this committee for the first time since my appointment as deputy minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, which was not quite six months ago. I have my briefing book with me and I will now introduce my officials who are with me at the table today.