Government Operations committee  Thank you very much. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today. Through its Real Property Branch, Public Works and Government Services Canada manages a diverse portfolio of real estate on behalf of the Government of Canada, providing accommodation for

Government Operations committee  I can't speak to the cost. But I would add that when the media articles came out—I remember there wasn't very much time between that and when the minister spoke in the House—on the surface, they were fairly inflammatory. We are very concerned about ensuring that there is confid

Government Operations committee  Actually, there was an option that had extended it, which had been exercised before then. In 2009, there was an amendment to the contract in the department's submission for its authorities under the economic action plan. We recognized we would be putting more funding for projects

Government Operations committee  Certainly.

Government Operations committee  Certainly it could be within a couple of weeks. I don't see any problem with that.

Government Operations committee  Before the House rises. Yes. The amendment, if I may note, is a very simple one. It is simply the maximum dollar value of the contract.

Government Operations committee  If I can answer your question with respect to the contracting process, under the contract with SNC-Lavalin O&M, the statement of work is very clear in the contract in terms of it specifying how our service provider must engage the private sector. There are four separate tiers

Government Operations committee  It's $25,000 to $200,000. From $200,000 to $5 million, it is publicly tendered, and SNC-Lavalin uses MERX as its public tendering vehicle.

Government Operations committee  Five firms.

Government Operations committee  Yes.

Government Operations committee  In terms of the management of this, I would invite my colleagues to join. In terms of the specifics of that aspect, the contractor is required to pre-qualify firms, both consultants and contractor/suppliers, in the databank. They then go on a rotational basis and select those fir

Government Operations committee  First of all, on the subject of the invoices and the work you referred to, let me say that on the surface, 32 characters, which was about the field that was used in the invoices, does not describe the full amount of work that was done. So to simply say “changing a doorbell” or “i

Government Operations committee  Absolutely, yes.

Government Operations committee  Well, there is a process for PWGSC, ourselves, which is quite distinct from the process that is used by our service provider in these contracts. I'd be happy to share a diagram with the committee, which describes that. For example, for PWGSC, for contracts for construction from

Government Operations committee  In terms of the contracts with SNC-Lavalin, as I said, the statement of work allows us to assess and review their practices to ensure they are following the procedures set out in the statement of work. Beyond that point, you will have to ask SNC-Lavalin. I know they are subject t