Public Services and Procurement Canada's responsibility is to challenge the tool used for procurement. We often found that it had not questioned the fact that many contracts were awarded in a short period of time.
However, we also need to take a step back. The ultimate decision rests with the department requesting the service, even if Public Services and Procurement Canada questions it.
On the other hand, when the value of a contract is below the threshold at which a competitive process must be launched, as is the case with the contract chains we've just discussed, Public Services and Procurement Canada is not informed. It may only be aware of the existence of the contract if the department informs it.