I think that when there's an urgent operational requirement, Mr. Chair, the emphasis is on getting the equipment to the personnel who need it as soon as possible. In many cases, that will lead to a sole-source procurement. We may be getting the capability we want, but we may be paying more money than we would pay for it through a competitive process. The urgency of the operational requirement creates a situation whereby an exemption to the government contracting regulations is permissible.
In a normal environment, the default position is competition, to make sure the process is open, fair, and transparent and that we're getting the best value for Canadians in the course of that particular procurement.