Public Accounts committee  Yes, I would. I can tell you that the documents in question are being translated. Some of the documents were released to the committee last night. We have been very diligent with this request. We do have to allow some time for translation. That said, the documents will be provided very soon.

Public Accounts committee  I don't know if you were referring specifically to ArriveCAN when you mentioned crisis management. I have to say that our department did not have a public contract file called “ArriveCAN”. It is important to look at the context. We provided informatics services to the Canada Border Services Agency, and ArriveCAN was one of the various informatics tools and services provided to the Canada Border Services Agency.

Public Accounts committee  We certainly do. This is something that has been truly reinforced since November 28 with our client departments. On December 4, we sent directives to all of our staff to make sure we have a task authorization checklist. That is mandatory for requesting information. It is not necessarily a checklist that has been provided by the client.

Public Accounts committee  In terms of our authority, we have to be careful when we allow a department to use our procurement instrument, whether it's a standing offer or a supply arrangement. Our role is to play a challenge function, making sure that people abide by the rule of having open, fair and transparent procurement.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you. In terms of the division of roles and responsibilities, it's important to keep in mind that the client will define their official requirements. They define their budgets. Basically, they're going to contact the procurement authority with the goods or services they want to procure in mind, and it's up to PSPC to provide advice on the process best suited for the procurement depending on the nature of the services, whether there is a supply arrangement in place or there is a standing offer, to make sure that if this is beyond their client's delegation authority, they can leverage our tools.

Public Accounts committee  I have nothing to add there. Thank you.

Public Accounts committee  As I mentioned, I can't comment on the validity of the reasons given for non-competitive awarding of contracts. I mentioned earlier that there are sometimes very good reasons or valid reasons based on trade agreements that will allow the government or an institution to award contracts in a non-competitive manner, particularly to meet urgent needs.

Public Accounts committee  I wouldn't want to stigmatize non-competitive awarding of contracts. Sometimes there are very good reasons for awarding contracts in a non-competitive manner. It may be because of patent issues or because only one supplier can do the work. In that remaining 20%, there are also existing justifications under trade agreements—

Public Accounts committee  I'm sorry. I thought we were talking about all the contracts that had been awarded over the last few years. I was answering the question from that perspective.

Public Accounts committee  Which contract do you mean?

Public Accounts committee  I cannot comment on the number of suppliers who are using...or whether there are other suppliers basically running a two-person shop.

Public Accounts committee  I will take note of the question.

Public Accounts committee  To the extent that we can provide the information, we will, for sure.

Public Accounts committee  Yes.

Public Accounts committee  No one has lost their job. Guidelines were sent out on December 4. As I mentioned, checklists have been established. Keep in mind that our procurement officers don't work on only one contract. As Mr. Mills said, ultimately, the client decides whether or not to take our advice.