Evidence of meeting #85 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contract.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I want to thank my colleague, MP Sousa, for his excellent line of questioning here.
Mr. Mills, the Botler AI contract is a series of six contracts for deliverables of about $70,000 apiece. You mentioned that PSPC looks after about 10,000 contracts per year. Where does a contract of $70,000 rank in the grand scheme of things, relative to the number of contracts that you see? Is that a big project or a small project?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
That would be a relatively small project for us. We have multi-billion-dollar contracts, so this would be a very small task authorization.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Okay.
Ms. Durigan, you said you've been working in the public sector for close to 30 years.
Manager, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
That's right.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Have you come across a situation of, for example, a company inflating their bona fides on a CV, as we've heard with Botler AI and with GC Strategies? Have you come across misconduct like that?
Manager, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Thank you for your question.
As was already outlined, normally at the point of resource evaluation, if you will, that is a client responsibility. At the TA stage and even at the RFP stage, the client is responsible for the technical evaluation.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
In your 30-plus years of experience, have you come across misconduct when you were reviewing contracts? If you did, do you feel you have the training and the support from the department to be able to flag it and address it?
November 9th, 2023 / 5:30 p.m.
Manager, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I've never come across an instance like this case, an instance of allegations being made that inflation of experience or résumés was done. I personally have never had a situation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
That is our time, Mr. Kusmierczyk.
Witnesses, thanks for being with us.
Mr. Mills, I just want to follow up on a couple of things. My colleague Mr. Brock asked a question regarding the bonus. I assume that you will just write back to us with an answer. I think I know the response, but you will respond to us.
With regard to the NDA, will you just provide it? You mentioned that you weren't sure that you had it. Would you just simply provide it to us if you have it?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
We'll provide what we have.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
That's perfect. Thanks very much.
Thanks to everyone for being with us today. If there's nothing else, we are adjourned.