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
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Ms. Chan, there's obviously now an investigation under way. Is this an investigation around ArriveCAN?
Supply Specialist, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Thank you for the question.
No, it's not.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
There is, however, an internal review. There's also a review being done by the RCMP in regard to this particular issue with regard to Botler's allegations.
Have you been contacted by the RCMP?
Supply Specialist, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I have not.
Liberal
Supply Team Leader, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Not yet.
Manager, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I have not.
November 9th, 2023 / 4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Gentlemen, has anybody contacted you regarding this issue?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No.
Levent Ozmutlu Director General, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Public Works and Government Services
No.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
In regard to the contract, I'm not really sure who to ask, but Ms. Durigan, I'm going to go to you. I'm going to try to respectfully ask the three of you on these issues, and I do appreciate backup where necessary.
In a contract like the one that was just done in respect to the Botler issue, Coradix and Dalian received the contract. They were bidders and they won the deal. Thereafter, commissions, splits, who they hire, what they subcontract with are not subject to increased pricing, correct? It's based on what they were contracted to do. Is that correct?
Supply Specialist, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Correct.
They need to follow the pricing schedule that was listed on the contract.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
When they say they received a cut or they received commissions, these are individuals that are corporations, so they're subcontracting themselves. They're working in regard to deliverables that are required.
Is that right, Ms. Durigan?
Manager, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Yes.
We don't have any oversight on what commissions are or what the cuts are or how payment is made between prime contractors and subcontractors. Our calculations are based on the firm per diem rates that are in the contract.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Ms. Mansour, are these contracts inflated thereafter, or are they just what they are, and then whatever happens in the tail end in how they're going to share the pie is between individuals among themselves?
Is that correct to assume?
Supply Team Leader, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
This is a competitive contract, so the rate we got was on a competitive basis. We cannot inflate it after the fact. Once it's in the basis of payment, it remains. The per diem rates do not change.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Did Botler...? They mentioned that they had active engagement with the government, as they wouldn't be required in order to deliver. Were any of the three of you involved in ongoing contacts with the entrepreneurs?
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
No.
For the benefit of the committee and those watching, Ms. Durigan, can you tell us about your training? What is it that you guys are trained to do?
Manager, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
We're subject matter experts. We're in procurement.
I have been working in procurement for over 20 years, with 30 years in the federal government. Most of those 20 years have been in IT professional services as my forte, if you will. I manage a team of procurement officers who provide acquisition services to other government departments for IT professional services.
Supply Specialist, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I started my career in the government in the intern officer development program in June 2019. I went on various assignments, and then in August 2022 I returned to EL division under Angela Durigan.
Supply Team Leader, Professional Services Procurement Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I've been with Public Services and the Government of Canada for 23 years, with 17 years in IT professional services and two years in goods.
Liberal
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
That is amazing. I appreciate your technical expertise and subject matter knowledge.