Thank you.
I would like to thank the Auditor General for her last remarks.
I've done some research on your reports and assessments of the Department of Public Works and Government Services. With regard to contracts for services, I even went back as far as 1995, and I found that you make certain recommendations on a periodic basis. In particular, you've made recommendations on major information technology projects, and you've written that they should be divided up for better management. Before proceeding with the implementation of major projects, the government should conduct cost-effectiveness studies entailing specific and measurable objectives, and do a full analysis of options, benefits, costs and risks, as well as an implementation plan.
I'm asking you this question because, a little earlier, the deputy minister referred to approximately $1 billion of contracts for services. However, in 2007-2008, an initiative was launched—he can probably tell us about it—providing for a strategy for service contracts, a convergence of IT service contracts. The presentation was made on March 5, 2008. I have a presentation by Mr. Buhr on that. Information to the effect that a request for proposals was issued in the spring for a contract estimated at $1 billion circulated within the industry.
Was your office consulted on that matter? Were you asked to comment on the awarding of contracts worth more than $1 billion?