Then the question arises, in the eight requests that were made.... The cover for this particular process was provided in the contract request form, in part 1(e), and I'll table this particular document. It asks whether this work could be performed by an employee. What it states is that “There are no employees with the required skills and expertise.”
What's particularly worrisome is that someone has taken the time to write in the margin--obviously someone wanted it on the record, it's handwritten--“On advice of Mike to issue contract”.
You've just told us and indicated to us that you feel that there are individuals in your communications branch--there are 60 individuals--who are highly qualified, who could do this. Yet in the contract request form it clearly states that there are no employees with the required skills and expertise.